SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The California Supreme Court says carrying a loaded gun in a backpack strapped to the body is no different from carrying it in clothing a person is wearing, and both are illegal in public.
The court’s unanimous ruling Monday came in a case that asked it to clarify state law that makes it a crime to carry a loaded firearm on one’s person in public.
The court said there was no distinction between a backpack, fanny pack or other container on the body and clothing that is being worn.
The ruling came in a criminal case against a Los Angeles County man accused of carrying a loaded revolver in his backpack while police chased him.
A call to an attorney for the man was not immediately returned.