Transporting Cannon ????

[Will Bison]

Spring is just around the corner and I've got the urge to shoot. My question regards the legal transportation of cannons. I know in California all guns must be locked up in a container. Some of the shoots I want to attend are in that fine State.

I normally load the big guns on a flatbed trailer but I,m wondering if that may not be a violation of law.

[GGaskill]

Don't hold me to this but I think only handguns and the dastardly Assault Weapon must be transported in a locked container in a separate compartment of the vehicle while in the California SSR.

[Evil Dog]

Had occasion to discuss this very thing with both the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino Sheriff's Office about a week ago.  Generally speaking, they view a cannon the same as any other firearm... granted it is a much larger firearm.  The basic requirement is that the firearm and its' associated ammunition be transported in two separate locations such as the cannon either on a trailer or in the back of a truck with the ammunition box being somewhere else like on the floor of the back seat (if you have one).  Naturally the cannon must be unloaded during transport.

I normally just put mine in the back of the pickup and tie it down.  I suppose I could throw a tarp over it, but let's face it, having it seen is half of the fun !!!  Sure does discourage tailgaiters.  I did make a smiley face muzzleplug for it though.



Most of the law enforcement people that I've talked to won't get overly concerned about the sight of a cannon being transported through their territory.  Not too many people try robbing the local mini-mart at cannon point.

[Cannonmaker]

Evil Dog, I do like the muzzleplug.

[Will Bison]

Thanks for the input Guys. I never gave it much thought before 'cause I always used a covered pickup. I now use the covered bed for other stuff and load the guns on the little tilt bed.

[CAV Trooper]

the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino Sheriff's Office...view a cannon the same as any other firearm...

Knowing the way the flaming liberals in the Peoples Republic of California feel about ANYTHING that even remotely resembles a a firearm, (even though a cannon IS NOT a firearm under federal law) I'm not surprised that the CHP and SBSO have that attitude.

Here in Florida, I just strap my howitzer in the back of my pickup and go down the road. So far, I've gotten lots of looks, a bunch of thumbs up and even a few questions when I was stopped at a traffic light but the LEO's have never bothered me.

You sure are right though about it discouraging tailgaters.  :-D

[Double D]

I'll tell you this right now, back in my old street cop days, if you went driving down my street with a cannon in the back of your truck I would pull you over in a heartbeat and you would have some questions to answer, you betcha!  Where did you get it, what's it shoot,  how far can it shoot, where can I get one, can I shoot it.  Inquiring cops wanna know!