Carry a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place or in a Vehicle

California Penal Code punishes carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle or public place.

Although carrying a loaded gun sounds like a strict offense, it is not. The code is full of legal jargon, technicalities, and exceptions that make this crime quite complex. Moreover, if you carry a firearm in public, a law enforcement officer has the right to inspect it to determine if it is loaded — especially if it is in a public place, meaning any open area of common and general use, or a restricted zone where discharging a firearm is illegal.

Unfortunately, police officers, like any person, are often driven by unethical motives that push them to commit unjust acts. But fortunately, there is a variety of legal defenses against this charge that a good criminal defense lawyer from Progresso Legal Group can use to represent you.