Hunting w/ 30 rd magazine

[jrebel]

As I read deeper.....I am 100% convinced that ammo in the magazine constitutes a loaded firearm in WA.  The City of Arlington has posted this on their web page in the Q/A.  A quick google search states that RCW 77.55.460 has not been recently changed or challenged. 

If something has changed, I would like to see the documentation. 

[10thmountainarcher]

As I read deeper.....I am 100% convinced that ammo in the magazine constitutes a loaded firearm in WA.  The City of Arlington has posted this on their web page in the Q/A.  A quick google search states that RCW 77.55.460 has not been recently changed or challenged. 

If something has changed, I would like to see the documentation.

It did change, at the bottom of the page where the numbers are, those are hyper links. You can click the “2018” and see how the law read before this year. Also the 2025 at the bottom indicates it was revised this year.

I have no idea why they changed it from the previous version. I guess like anything else in Washington these days, they just wanted to make it worse.

[Brute]

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/10/15/two-idaho-hunting-deaths-on-the-minds-of-wyoming-hunters/?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=FwZ19wZLR-HOc9-caQWPJybdks9aipxjUYlzqh4mAlM.UXPtrV

[jackelope]

Is there 2 parts to this? :


Can’t have one in the chamber^^


^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?

[andrew_in_idaho]

Is there 2 parts to this? :


Can’t have one in the chamber^^


^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?

I mean, would it shock anybody if the liberal lawmakers of Washington state who do not understand firearms would also have the wording of chamber and magazine mixed up?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bigtex]

Is there 2 parts to this? :


Can’t have one in the chamber^^


^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?

I mean, would it shock anybody if the liberal lawmakers of Washington state who do not understand firearms would also have the wording of chamber and magazine mixed up?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no change to the actual prohibition of a loaded firearm in WA (round in mag vs round in chamber)

What changed is how the law can be enforced. Prior to 2024 if the round was in the chamber or magazine it was a criminal offense. A criminal offense is not simply a ticket and requires a prosecutor to prosecute the case.

WDFW asked the legislature to essentially separate the offenses by keeping the offense of having a round in the chamber as a criminal offense, but reducing the offense of having the round in a magazine in the gun (empty chamber) as an infraction (similar to a traffic ticket).

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[Fidelk]

How about buying a couple of 5 round mags for hunting and keeping an empty one in the rifle and a loaded one in the glove compartment or to be ultra cautious elsewhere in the vehicle (bed of pickup, camper shell, whatever). You can't shoot while you are driving but they are readily available via glove box of back of truck. I have 30, 20, 10 and 5 round Magpul magazines and the 5 round ones are great for range use from a benchrest. Once you stop the vehicle and start hunting, either use the 5 round mag or switch it out for the 30 rounder.