Is it legal to carry hangun loaded in vehicle??

[ICEMAN]

Actually the violation of having a loaded firearm (which are identified as rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders) in a motor vehicle no matter what the circumstance is a Title 77 violation which is a fish and wildlife violation. So a person stopped in downtown seattle with a loaded shotgun will actually be charged with the same offense that someone hunting in the Colockum would face. So you can technically have never hunted/fished a day in your life but still have a fish and wildlife crime because having a loaded firearm is considered a fish and wildlife offense, no matter if you are hunting or not. In fact the actual statute says nothing about hunting.

However having a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a CPL would be considered under Title 9.

True, sort of. Most municipalieties have codes on the books against nearly the same way Title 77 and Title 9 are written, and very often they amend the charge to the municipality charge... those convicted get convicted of a municipal code violation.

[LCG]

On your person with CPL is fine. Really has nothing to do with WDFW, if you have questions of this nature contact the WSP.

Don

Actually the violation of having a loaded firearm (which are identified as rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders) in a motor vehicle no matter what the circumstance is a Title 77 violation which is a fish and wildlife violation. So a person stopped in downtown seattle with a loaded shotgun will actually be charged with the same offense that someone hunting in the Colockum would face. So you can technically have never hunted/fished a day in your life but still have a fish and wildlife crime because having a loaded firearm is considered a fish and wildlife offense, no matter if you are hunting or not. In fact the actual statute says nothing about hunting.

However having a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a CPL would be considered under Title 9.

Has nothing to do with fish and wildlife. The topic of the thread is "Is it legal to carry hangun loaded in vehicle?? " WDFW rules refer to RCW's concerning long guns and address RCW's concerning handguns during outdoor activity. The CPL rules and laws are state wide and all questions should be addressed to the WSP or local LEO.

Don

[bigtex]

Actually the violation of having a loaded firearm (which are identified as rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders) in a motor vehicle no matter what the circumstance is a Title 77 violation which is a fish and wildlife violation. So a person stopped in downtown seattle with a loaded shotgun will actually be charged with the same offense that someone hunting in the Colockum would face. So you can technically have never hunted/fished a day in your life but still have a fish and wildlife crime because having a loaded firearm is considered a fish and wildlife offense, no matter if you are hunting or not. In fact the actual statute says nothing about hunting.

However having a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a CPL would be considered under Title 9.

True, sort of. Most municipalieties have codes on the books against nearly the same way Title 77 and Title 9 are written, and very often they amend the charge to the municipality charge... those convicted get convicted of a municipal code violation.

That's true, however some smaller cities and counties just go with the straigt RCW 77 violation. Seattle and Tacoma can afford to essentially rewrite the entire RCW's to make it into their liking. However the smaller cities can't or just chose to pick and chose which laws they make apart of their city code. Usually this is done with traffic and alcohol offenses. I worked for several law enforcement agencies and we all used the title 77 violation for this offense.

[ratherhunt]

Hi, I finally got a responce from WDFW, Thanks for everyones help. I do not know how to attach the attachment they sent me but its called Firearms Safety, The Law & You.



Thank you for contacting WDFW.  Your e-mail has been referred to me for a response.
 
Attached for your information is a copy summarizing important firearm laws.  RCW 9.41.050 provides specific information about carrying firearms, and RCW 9.41.060 provides information about certain exceptions.
 
You may carry your handgun loaded in your vehicle, providing you comply with all other legal requirements.
 
Mik Mikitik
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Enforcement Program
Hunter Education Division

[Bigshooter]

RCW 9.41.050
Carrying firearms. 

(1)(a) Except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business, a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol.

     (b) Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer or to any other person when and if required by law to do so. Any violation of this subsection (1)(b) shall be a class 1 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW and shall be punished accordingly pursuant to chapter 7.80 RCW and the infraction rules for courts of limited jurisdiction.

     (2)(a) A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

     (b) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.

     (3)(a) A person at least eighteen years of age who is in possession of an unloaded pistol shall not leave the unloaded pistol in a vehicle unless the unloaded pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

     (b) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.

     (4) Nothing in this section permits the possession of firearms illegal to possess under state or federal law.

[buckhorn2]

I have a friend who had just got his consealed permit and was on his way home when he noticed a stater behind him and his lights came on. My friend was trying to think what to say and when the officer walked up he said I have a gun. Next thing his head is on the hood and he said wish I could have worded that a little different. It was on the seat and he did;nt get a ticket he said it was funny afterwords but not then.

[runamuk]

I have a friend who had just got his consealed permit and was on his way home when he noticed a stater behind him and his lights came on. My friend was trying to think what to say and when the officer walked up he said I have a gun. Next thing his head is on the hood and he said wish I could have worded that a little different. It was on the seat and he did;nt get a ticket he said it was funny afterwords but not then.

this is why I decided to simply put my drivers license on one side of my wallet thing and my concealed permit on the other...not that I ever get pulled over or anything  but it was much simpler to be asked if there were any firearms in the vehicle 

[Tony 270]

Can you have a handgun on you in WA while bowhunting yet? Know you can in Oregon. If not, what if you have a conceiled license, then can you? Different rules type of thing?

[CastleRocker]

Can you have a handgun on you in WA while bowhunting yet? Know you can in Oregon. If not, what if you have a conceiled license, then can you? Different rules type of thing?

Yep, they changed that last year.