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San Jose, CA Firearms: Firearms in Vehicles (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Concealed-in-vehicle statute
Penal Code section 25400
Loaded firearm statute
Penal Code section 25850
Transport requirement
Unloaded, locked container
Glove compartment
Not a legal locked container
Ammunition rule
Store separately when transporting

Summary

California Penal Code section 25400 prohibits concealed carry in vehicles without a permit, and transport must follow strict unloaded and locked-container rules that San Jose enforces alongside state agencies.

(a) The firearm is unloaded, within a motor vehicle, and locked in the vehicle’s trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle. (b) The firearm is unloaded, carried by the person directly to or from any motor vehicle, and, while carrying the firearm, the firearm is contained within a locked container.

Source: San Jose Municipal CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Without a CCW, firearms transported in a vehicle in San Jose must follow California Penal Code section 25610: handguns must be unloaded and locked in the trunk or a separate locked container (the glove compartment does not qualify). Long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked in a container, though they cannot be readily accessible loaded. Ammunition may be stored separately. Concealed carry inside the passenger compartment without a permit violates section 25400, a misdemeanor or wobbler. Section 25850 separately bans loaded firearms in vehicles in public places. SJPD enforces these rules during traffic stops alongside state DOJ standards.

Violations & Fines

Carrying concealed in a vehicle without a permit is charged under Penal Code 25400 as a misdemeanor; loaded firearm in vehicle violations under 25850 can be charged as misdemeanor or felony with firearm seizure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a handgun in my glove compartment in San Jose?
No. The glove compartment does not count as a locked container under Penal Code 25610. Handguns must be unloaded and locked in the trunk or a separate locked case.
Do CCW holders follow the same vehicle transport rules?
No. A valid California CCW permit allows concealed carry on the person or in the vehicle, but sensitive-place restrictions still apply at destinations like schools, parks, and government buildings.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Jose

Concealed CarryHeavy RestrictionsOpen CarrySome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All San Jose rules

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