The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the State of California as of 2/7/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov. Another great resource is the Calfornia Penal Codes and can be found at leginfo.ca.gov.

The State of California requires that a person must have a CCW license to transport a loaded handgun in any vehicle.

25610(a) Section 25400 shall not be construed to prohibit any citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years who resides or is temporarily within this state, and who is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm, from transporting or carrying any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, provided that the following applies to the firearm:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

(1) The firearm is within a motor vehicle and it is locked in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle.                                                                                                                                                            

(2) The firearm is carried by the person directly to or from any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while carrying the firearm,the firearm is contained within a locked container.

  (b) The provisions of this section do not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful carrying or transportation of any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person in accordance with the provisions listed in Section 16580.

Long guns (rifle/shotgun) these firearms are not required to be locked in a lockbox or trunk during transport while in the vehicle. It is not requires to transport these firearms to and from the vehicle in a locked lockbox.  It is required they be unloaded during transport in the vehicle and to and from the vehicle.

The term "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. For more information, refer to California Penal Code Section 12026.1.