How to Legally Carry a Concealed Firearm In California Without a Permit

Here’s an interesting video from an unlikely-looking guy, who believes he has found a legal loophole allowing Californians to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.

It all started when a law enforcement officer told him about it, so he looked it up and learned more. Turns out, there’s a “hunting & fishing” exemption in CA state law which provides for licensed hunters and fishermen to tote a concealed firearm while engaging in those activities.

The catch? It has to be unloaded while going to and from your hunting and fishing “expedition.”

So you’re strolling down the street with your Ronco Pocket Fisherman in your hand, a fishing license in your pocket, and a popper on your hip. Are you legal? Well, maybe.

One YouTube commenter identified as “Joe Null” posted quite a long remark dissecting the law along with its caveats and requirements. Here’s what he said:

The “fishing exemption” only applies to CA conceal carry laws.

There is no “fishing exemption” to CA loaded firearm in public laws.

Which means…

If you have a valid CA fishing license…
… it is legal to conceal carry an unloaded handgun while traveling to and from your fishing site.
… it is legal to conceal carry an unloaded handgun while fishing in an area that prohibits the discharge of firearms.
… it is legal to conceal carry a loaded handgun while fishing in an area that does not prohibit the discharge of firearms.

It is legal to open carry a loaded firearm or an unloaded firearm in an area where it is legal to discharge firearms.
It is legal to open carry an unloaded antique firearm.

Therefore…

This would be CA legal method of carrying, as a person with a valid CA fishing license and fishing in a place where it is legal to discharge firearms:
1. Exit residence and foot travel to vehicle = unloaded in locked container.
2. While in vehicle = unloaded in locked container.
3. Exit vehicle and foot travel to fishing site = unloaded conceal carry.
4. At fishing site, while fishing = loaded conceal carry.
5. Foot travel from fishing site to vehicle = unloaded conceal carry.
6. While in vehicle = unloaded in locked container.
7. Exit vehicle and foot travel to residence = unloaded in locked container.

This would be CA legal method of carrying, as a person with a valid CA fishing license and fishing in a place where it is illegal to discharge firearms:
1. Exit residence and foot travel to vehicle = unloaded in locked container.
2. While in vehicle = unloaded in locked container.
3. Exit vehicle and foot travel to fishing site = unloaded conceal carry.
4. At fishing site, while fishing = unloaded conceal carry.
5. Foot travel from fishing site to vehicle = unloaded conceal carry.
6. While in vehicle = unloaded in locked container.
7. Exit vehicle and foot travel to residence = unloaded in locked container.

As usual, government makes it far more complicated than it needs to be. But this info might allow come Californians to be a little safer, I suppose.

Take this all with several grains of salt. We are not offering legal advice here. Just passing along some interesting information to those unfortunate folks who call California ‘home.’

Moral: Even tie-dye-wearing long-hairs like to be free.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.