I'm a newbie, and i just finish building my AR-15 with all features and a maglock. The question is, i want test fire the AR at a local indoor range, i'm just not sure how to carry the AR in the car. my plan was to keep it in a rifle case locked without mag on in the trunk and mags locked in the glove box, or should i keep an empty mag on? bullets in the glove box. I just don't want to get in trouble for being naive. thanks for any suggestions.

I'm sure someone will chime in but you'll have better luck posting it in the Cali "hometown" thread. They are state specific.

This. It's ridiculous that a decent guy in the US has to worry about getting in trouble for the way he transports his rifle to the range. I mean, is it really necessary to lock the rifle up in a case while it's in a locked trunk, and then make sure you keep the ammo separately stored from the firearm? Like the rounds being locked in the trunk with the gun pose some kind of danger. Absurd...I throw everything in my range bag and head out. That's the way it's supposed to be. Sorry you guys out in California have to deal with that bullshit. If I was in Cali, it wouldn't be for long. I'd be getting the f%*k outta that state. Pisses me off everytime I read this kinda shit. I worry about our country's future.

ETA: Sorry for ranting in your thread. It just depresses me reading this kind of stuff...

i throw it in my trunk.

I throw my AR in it's case with empty mags and use an ammo can to carry my ear muffs, glasses, and ammo. I throw it all in the back seat and go to the range. It isn't an "assault weapon" if you have it with the maglock so you can transfer it like you would any FUDD gun.

Here is the link

All guns must be transported unloaded. Unloaded means empty chamber and empty feeding device or no feeding device. (E.g., can't have cartridges in the tube, magazine, cylinder, whatever.)
You can have magazines and ammo in the same container, they do not need to be separate. (Loaded mags are fine)

Handguns must be transported in a locked container. Your trunk qualifies, a glove box DOES NOT. If you do not have a separate trunk, a locked case or bag is fine. (e.g, unloaded handgun in a locked case behind the seat of your truck, etc.)
Transporting a handgun in public, it must be in a locked case. (e.g., riding your bicycle or public transportation, or if you're parked in a public area and take it from your vehicle to the private area of a range.)

Rifles do not need a locked case IF the case was specifically designed to transport a firearm. Otherwise it must also be locked. (e.g., a guitar case can hold a rifle but was not designed as a firearm case, therefor must be locked. The "covert carry case" that looks like a tennis racket case that is designed as a gun case does not need to be locked. funny huh.)

Registered Assault Weapons must always be in a locked case and have destination requirements. It does not sound like you have a RAW but with upcoming registration available for pre 2017 possessed firearms it will be more relevant.

There's at least one california specific website which has better information on CA laws with actual penal codes.
If I remember anything else I'll add below as an edit.

I've never heard that a rifle must be cased, or locked, one way or the other, no matter the original design of the case.  Non-concealable firearms (rifles and shotguns) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 12025 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container.  If I'm wrong, please point me to the correct PC section.  


FCA
FJB
FGN
FDF
FNP
FKDL
FKH
FXB


and for good measure, FBHO


OP, put your mags (loaded or unloaded) in a separate container, in your trunk.  Put your rifle in your in something, anything, so that when you get out at the range it's covered until you get inside the building (more so that anyone passing by doesn't freak out than for any compliance issue).  Don't drive like an asshole.  You'll be fine.

Also, are you sure you can shoot an AR at your local indoor range?   Many indoor ranges don't have adequate backstops for 5.56/.223.

This guy's got it right, with the caveat that the trunk only qualifies if it's enclosed (generally speaking, the trunk of a sedan is acceptable, but the trunk of a SUV or station wagon is not, as it's accessible and potentially in plain sight). CalGuns absolutely would be the best resource for CA-specific questions.

Just had to look up what a maglock is... Damn. I feel bad for you Cali guys.

I did it the easy way... put my rifle case in the bed of the truck and went on my merry way.

Don't get pulled over, it's easy.

Never bothered with any of the stupid CA BS. Noone ever gave me any trouble at the range.

Best way is move out, to say..FL.. When I want to hit the range,  I throw gun in PAX seat , drive tp range,  hit the beach,  go home. My dad lives in La Jolla, nice place but fun all the mins. I fell naked without my 1911 on my hip.

^^^
This

Yeah, it's getting bad there. I mean WORSE. Guys need to get the hell outta there and quit giving your hard earned tax dollars to them only to turn around and use against you.

Those of us who live here are fighting the best we can to protect our 2A rights.  California is the front line in the fight for gun rights in the USA.  A legal decision that defeats the unconstitutional restrictions in California can set a precedent to protect firearm owners nationwide.  You might be safe from this type of legislation now, but what about your children and grandchildren?  

I donate what time and money I can to support pro-gun lawsuits in my state.  I know this doesn't affect most of you, but every bit helps!

Calguns Foundation is great.   There are also some other options to fight for the 2nd Amendment in CA

One of my favorites is CALIFORNIA RIFLE AND PISTOL ASSOCIATION but there are also the following:


Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC): National 501(c)4 nonprofit organization with a focus on policy and law (in "battleground" states); also leads direct and grassroots lobbying and provides the community with tools for same. Contributions are not tax-deductible.

Firearms Policy Coalition Second Amendment Defense Committee (FPC-SADC): FPC-sponsored primarily formed ballot initiative PAC to fight and oppose Gavin Newsom's "Safety for All Act" gun control effort.  Contributions are not tax-deductible.

Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF): National 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on law, education, and outreach. Contributions are tax-deductible.

California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees (CAL-FFL): California-based 501(c)6 nonprofit association representing firearms industry stakeholders (dealers, manufacturers, trainers, ranges, and consumers) in policy advocacy and legal matters.  Contributions are not tax-deductible.

The Calguns Foundation (CGF): California-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on law, research, and education. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Below is from the CADOJ, however if you are using a private range check with them as many require the rifle to be carried into/onto the range cased.

lolz....

Given the situation here in California and what's soon coming across the Nation if we don't fight now, this is worthy of repeating.

Quoted:


Those of us who live here are fighting the best we can to protect our 2A rights.  California is the front line in the fight for gun rights in the USA.  A legal decision that defeats the unconstitutional restrictions in California can set a precedent to protect firearm owners nationwide.  You might be safe from this type of legislation now, but what about your children and grandchildren?  

I donate what time and money I can to support pro-gun lawsuits in my state.  I know this doesn't affect most of you, but every bit helps!

Cops fall in the AR15 hierarchy of hatred somewhere near the top, too.

Man! i been busy for my state boards so I havent been here. Thanks for all the reply. I have a 350Z, its a two seater. So last time i went to the range, i put all my empty mags and ammos in the glove box, located behind the passenger seat and locked it. then i placed my pistol inside my rifle bag along with my AR locked inside the trunk. I know Cali is turning for the worst, i grew up here and i love my state but man hopefully we win this fight against these liberals.

All good brother, thanks for the support.

I have a locking case, but it's rather bulky, so I usually just throw the rifle in a soft case or rifle sock and just put it in the trunk (if I were somewhere with a different gun culture but similar transport laws, I might not have qualms about putting it in the backseat).  Magazines and such go in whatever bag I decide to use for that, ammo, etc.  I don't use a locking case or bag nor do I separate them.  Rifles stay unloaded, of course.  If it'll all fit in the same container, it all goes in the same container, though.  All of that complies with CA laws.

Thanks, ill just do the same. Definitely need a range bag for all this ammos, mags and tools.

If the rifle is an assault weapon, it has to be in locked container.

Rifle can go in a case, just make sure its unloaded. I transport mine in the back seat in an unlocked rifle case a lot of the time. 

I would check with the range if they'll let you shoot a rifle indoors. Most indoor ranges are pistol-only. I've never found one that allowed rifles due to noise and backstop issues. 

There are some that will; I know of one in Orange County and another in San Bernardino County, but at least one restricts rifles to members only. 

One in Corona.  Several others around here that allow .223/5.56 on a somewhat limited basis.  The one in Corona is pretty flexible about caliber but is fairly strict about bullet types.  I didn't find it too bad with an M1a but not sure how others felt - I was there on a fairly quiet  midweek point.  I'd expect a busy, full weekend would be unpleasant for those around the rifle shooters depending on the caliber, etc.  the backstops will probably deal fine with the right ammo types but the lane barriers aren't all that long so your neighbors will likely get the blast benefit.  I know I found pistol shooting next to an AR wasn't much fun.  At least with a rifle neighbor, my hands aren't up around "his" muzzle when swapping/taping targets.