The City of Lathrop Police Department reported that a driver stopped in the area of East Louise Avenue and Cambridge Drive over the weekend was found to be illegally carrying a loaded handgun.

This occurred when Officer Jonathan Syler conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the driver for multiple vehicle violations.

The officer observed signs of marijuana use and conducted a field sobriety test on the driver.

“Following a probable cause search of the vehicle, a fully loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun was located beneath a jacket within arm’s reach of the driver,” said Lathrop police via social media on Sunday.

The driver was cited in the field on charges of illegally carrying a loaded firearm inside the vehicle – a violation of California Penal Code 25850(a) and 25400(a)(1) – and released with a court date.

The firearm was seized and booked into evidence.

Local police noted that this incident serves as reminder that, under California law, individuals must have a valid concealed weapon permit in order to legally carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle, adding: “Without this permit, it is illegal to transport a loaded firearm accessible to the driver or passengers.”

For those without a valid concealed weapon permit, they’re required to have the firearm unloaded and stored in a locked container other than the glove compartment or utility compartment.

“Ammunition should be stored separately when possible. These laws are in place to help ensure responsible gun ownership and to maintain public safety on our roadways,” said Lathrop police, who remain committed to enforcing such regulations while educating the public ways to keep the community safe.