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Are center console lock boxes illegal?

9K views 35 replies 29 participants last post by  Dan.S 
#1 ·
I just received my Bestop center console lock box and upon unboxing it, a friend of my brother said "Hey, you know those are illegal, right?"

I had never heard of that before so I said "No they aren't".

But he goes on to tell me they are viewed on the same level as those hidden compartments the cartels use to smuggle drugs and money. That because it is not easily viewable from the outside it is considered a hidden compartment.

I tried searching, but all I can come up with is a few threads on Calguns. And we all know that state is a shit storm anyways. I live in Nevada, so anything in California is irrelevant to me.

Anyone have any information about this?

This is what I bought:

 
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#9 ·
There are "hidden compartment" laws in California, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, and Oregon. The caveat is that they are only illegal if they are there with "the intent" of drug trafficking. How they determine that "intent" varies I'm sure. But I doubt any cop worth his salt would give you grief over that console. Besides, that's hardly hidden.
 
#11 ·
A secure lock box is a great idea for Jeep. This is especially true if you often drive around topless.

The box isn't really hidden. Anyone looking through the Jeep would find it right away. Not only that, but the center console already is lockable. All you've done is added a box with a stronger lock to provide an extra level of security.

Is your friend maintaining that all lockable storage areas in a vehicle (console, glove box etc) must be easy to pry open? If that's the case, then what's the point of having any locks in a vehicle?
 
#13 ·
A glove or similar storage compartment is normal and expected, and therefore, not "hidden". It doesn't matter if its locked or not.

A hidden compartment would be one, where one isn't normal or expected. In other words a secret one. Like located where a passenger air bag is suppose to be.
 
#22 ·
I am an LEO in Southern California. Lock boxes are actually required now if you have a gun inside your car. If you leave your gun in your car and the gun is stolen, and is wasn't in a lock box, you could be charged with a Misdemeanor. And don't confuse lock boxes with hidden compartments. They are different. A good hidden compartment will require you to do many steps to get to it. IE, turn the lights on, open the passenger door, put the car in accessory, then hit a switch. Most of your lox boxes will retrofit under a seat, trunk, glovebox..etc etc. Regardless, if you fill a lox box or hidden compartment with cocaine it's illegal.

And from my 23 years of experience the dumbest thing he heard this weekend was. "These aren't my pants."
 
#28 ·
A good hidden compartment will require you to do many steps to get to it. IE, turn the lights on, open the passenger door, put the car in accessory, then hit a switch.
Wait a minute. I thought that WAS the requirement for carrying a gun in a car in Calif. And you can only access it AFTER the other guy pulls the trigger.

Was I misinformed?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.
 
#23 ·
Besides some socialist state gun law (Conn) the only law I know that forbids firearm storage in a center console is when traveling interstate.

18 U.S. Code § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearm
(...) That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.


But for storing something other than a gun, why would it be illegal to have a secure center console?!?
 
#24 ·
The box that you put that box in is a locked box. A locked box in a locked box is not illegal. Hidden boxes aren't illegal. Like someone else said, it is what you put in them that makes it illegal.

If for some reason a cop is searching your car and asks you to open the locked box and finds gummy worms, nothing will happen. If he finds 15,000 pounds of coke, you will be going to jail...but not because you had a locked box in your Jeep.
 
#26 ·
Thank you everyone...

He isn't MY friend. I don't think I could tolerate this guy as my friend with some of the things he was saying last night. I'm 1/2 convinced he is a flat earther.

And a special Thank You (both for answering my question and for your service to us all) to the LEO's and first responders.

And I also wait for his "dumbest thing heard".... I just hope it wasn't something I said. Lol
 
#30 ·
I can't share the stupidest thing, it would probably get me banned. Lets just say that the full moon was especially strong and the effects are still lingering! The other LEO's will know what I mean.
 
#33 ·
As a former prosecutor and now criminal defense attorney, I've run across "not my pants" more times than I can remember. Always gets a good laugh.

Somewhere out there, some poor schmuck probably really was or will be wearing someone else's pants. But thousands of others have ruined it for him.

Another good one used to be: "Not my dope. I'm just holding it for my brother/friend/co-worker, etc." We used to charge those knuckleheads with delivery based on their statement of intent to deliver to another person, then give them a lecture about lying to the police and let them plead to possession. Either exercise your right to remain silent or not, but don't lie. It just makes you look guilty (and stupid).

As far as a locked box in a car's lock box being illegal? Har har har.
 
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