If you have been issued a CCW in California are you able to carry in a school zone (The 1,000 feet around a school)?
I know you are not able to carry on school property whether it is public or private.
I am hoping for an answer from the attorney vs. everyone’s opinion.
Then you need to talk with an attorney.
I’m not an attorney and I do not live in California… so this is my “everyone’s opinion” based on California’s Gun Laws:
Having CCW you are NOT ALLOWED to posses a firearm in a school zone.
School zone is defined as an area within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of the public or private school.
So it doesn’t actually mean 1,000 feet around the school. It is distance of 1,000 feet from school’s property (parking lots, sport fields, etc).
I think there are exceptions, fe. if your residence or business is within these 1,000 feet.
Anyway… it’s always better to ask attorney before you start carrying close to any school. 
You can find the latest concealed carry laws on our Reciprocity Map. Here’s a link to the California information:
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ca-gun-laws/
which states:
WHERE CAN’T I CARRY A CONCEALED FIREARM IN CALIFORNIA?
*“Grades K through 12 school grounds although unloaded handguns in locked containers or within the locked trunk of a motor vehicle are allowed [however California permitholders can carry off school property but within school zones (within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of the public or private school)]”
That is the law as it stands today 3/2/21. Please check your laws frequently as laws can change. The USCCA Reciprocity Map is updated with changes on a daily basis as needed.
Hope that helps, @Jason143!
Thanks for pointing to that page. It has all the information.
To clarify [however California permitholders can carry off school property but within school zones (within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of the public or private school)] means that someone CAN carry in school zones who have a CCW.
In a school zone, yes. On school property, no.
In Wisconsin, we have school zone signs that signify the beginning/ending of a school zone. But I haven’t seen a school property sign… 
I’ll look closer the next time I’m passing a school.
Sounds good.
I would guess the sidewalk is not a part of the the school property.
We do have school zone signs but I only thought they were being used as a part of the speed limit.
Thanks!
The federal gun free school zone does not apply to persons licensed to carry a firearm off the property but within a 1000 feet. The 1000 feet limitation is from any of the schools property lines. State law would determine whether a CCL holder whether a firearm can be on the property or left in a vehicle.
One thing to consider in Constitutional Carry states is that you would be violating the federal law if you do not have a CCL within 1000 feet of a school.
You do need to be careful with respect to the property line. Depending on how the deed is written, I have seen property lines defined as including the sidewalk and even including the street to the middle of the street with easements for the use of the property for the road.
The closest school has many houses within 1,000 feet of the building and many more within 1,000 feet of the property line. I realize that one’s home trumps the location with respect to the school property, but there is a lot of “common area,” streets, and sidewalks also within 1,000 feet of the school’s property line.
@MikeBKY Thanks for clarifying.
How do I find out what is considered school property?
If you live across from a school and walk dogs it is good to know if you are doing something wrong or not.
The only way to really know is by a survey which is somewhere between impractical and impossible. But a survey is the only definitive way.
From a practical sense, I would assume from the curb of the schools property is the boundary.
It would make it easer to be sure of compliance vs. casual/accidental violations if the entity posted their property clearly defining their boundaries.
Like prisons have signs: “No weapons,” or “no firearms beyond this point.”.
No misunderstandings, or misinterpretations.
Nope.
even if you have a permit.
just because you have a permit doesn’t mean you get to carry in the school zone.
You can carry on private property that may fall with 1000 foot boundary from their property is the only exemption.
The federal law does say you need to leave your gun in your vehicle. It needs to be unloaded and then secured in a lockbox if it is in the school zone
I am not a lawyer like @MikeBKY but my understanding of the federal gun free zone act is that there is an exemption for people with CCWs to carry on public right of ways in school zones. Though school zones as defined by that law should not be confused with school property.
You are correct. Copied from the 1990 GFSZ act exemptions:
[18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(A)] does not apply to the possession of a firearm
Exemption (i) is for private property and (ii) is for permit holders. They can carry in a school zone but not on school property—
(i) on private property not part of school grounds;
(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;
(iii) that is—
(I) not loaded; and
(II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle;
Then it would be a good thing to know the definitions.
As in the post above
“ Exemption (i) is for private property and (ii) is for permit holders. They can carry in a school zone but not on school property—“
School Zone — The area of 1,000 feet around a public, parochial or private school.
This includes roadways, highways, and any ground not considered private property.
It shall be unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.
(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;
(v) by an individual in accordance with a contract entered into between a school in the school zone and the individual or an employer of the individual;
If you’re legally allowed to possess a firearm but not legally allowed to carry it onto school grounds, you’re still allowed to have it within your vehicle so long as it is unloaded and in a locked container
If you live in a state that allows you to carry onto school premises through either a concealed handgun license or similar, you are allowed to go onto school grounds with that firearm. Constitutional carry would not regularly apply in this scenario.
And that is a big if
I would like for you and the community lawyer, to give it a try . strap your gun on ,go walk into a school, walking to the principal’s office and then let them you have a gun and see what happens to you.
Ps
For those that frequently hunt, if you’re operating within or through 1,000 feet of a federally-identified school zone, you’re obliged to obtain permission by school authorities first.
Why are you recommending that I knowingly violate several State and federal laws? Are you advocating criminal activity or just giving incredibly bad advice?
Is that what I said?
or do you want to put words in my mouth? You seem to be rather delicate and think everything I say is a attack on everything you believe in,
nobody else can state facts or opinions, only you can.
frankly I don’t care what you do and it doesn’t hurt my feelings at all if you put me on ignore.
I didn’t call anybody names didn’t say you were stupid .
But you keep coming with the personal attacks it’s OK.
I don’t know what laws you want to break, but some seem to think you can go into a school zone with your permit. If you read the law, you’re supposed to unload your gun when driving through one…. Even if you have a permit.
But I have read through a lot of posts and there are plenty of times that the advice given wouldn’t be following the law.
But don’t take my word. Take some time and go educate yourself.
And while you’re at it, why don’t you have your self a Mary little Christmas.
Yes:
I am sorry you feel personally attacked. As far as I am aware I haven’t called you any names or made any comments that violate forum rules. I have just responded to your opinions with my opinions. You are the one who has repeatedly used very snarky comments directed at me and many others here as well as directly telling me to go away because my opinions are worthless due to where I live or don’t live, etc.
Sorry if I have offended you in some way. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and hopefully a happier new year.
I guess if that’s how I was initiated here that would be the norm, right ?
If it wasn’t for Snark, this place would lose half of its posting.
And you’re no slouch yourself.
If you feel that I’ve been violating the rules by all means, you should be turning me in.
Or at the very least, putting me on ignore.
I’m sorry you found it offensive that somebody’s opinions may differ than yours, and that you might find your beliefs are in question.
this passive aggressive thing you have going on just isn’t working for me.
So I’ll ask you “who are you?”
Edit,
And if you wish to carry on this discussion, feel free to private message me , as per the rules as I believe that airing, dirty laundry, and taking a thread this far off-topic is a disservice to all.
And again, you have yourself a merry Christmas and a happy holidays to the rest of you