Firearms.

Existing law prohibits, with exceptions, a person from possessing a firearm in a place that the person knows or reasonably should know is a school zone, as defined. This bill would, additionally, exempt a security guard authorized to openly carry an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun and an honorably retired peace officer authorized to openly carry an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun from that prohibition. Existing law, subject to certain exceptions, makes it an offense for a person to carry an exposed and unloaded handgun on his or her person outside a motor vehicle or inside or on a motor vehicle in public areas and public streets, as specified. This bill would exempt a person from the crime of openly carrying an unloaded handgun if he or she is in compliance with specified provisions relating to carrying a handgun in an airport or the open carrying of an unloaded handgun by a licensed hunter while actually engaged in training a hunting dog or while transporting the handgun while going to or from that training. This bill would, subject to exceptions, make it a misdemeanor for a person to carry an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun on his or her person outside a motor vehicle in an incorporated city or city and county and would make it a misdemeanor with specified penalties if a person carries an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun outside a motor vehicle in an incorporated city or city and county and the person at the same time possesses ammunition capable of being discharged from the unloaded firearm that is not a handgun, and the person is not in lawful possession of the unloaded firearm that is not a handgun, as specified. By creating a new offense, and expanding the scope of existing crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make conforming technical changes. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 16520 of the Penal Code proposed by SB 1366, that would become operative only if SB 1366 and this bill are both enacted, both bills become effective on or before January 1, 2013, and this bill is enacted last. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.