Post by: Salmonmoocher12 on October 18, 2025, 08:13:49 AM
Thanks
Post by: philepe on October 18, 2025, 09:21:49 AM
Post by: jackelope on October 18, 2025, 09:39:03 AM
FWIW I feel like people are telling you made up laws that are not remotely accurate.
You can conceal carry your Glock in your car with the appropriate permits, right?
Post by: Timberstalker on October 18, 2025, 10:01:34 AM
Post by: jrebel on October 18, 2025, 11:31:24 AM
As it pertains to rifles and shotguns, I think the last line answers your question. A loaded magazine that is not in the firearm is legal. If it is in or attached to the firearm....it would be considered loaded and illegal. At least that is how I was taught and how I interpret the law.
As for the 30 round magazine.....just go buy a 10 round magazine. They are cheap and will make carrying your rifle for hunting situations much easier. I can't imagine walking through the woods with a 30 round magazine while hunting......not to mention the weird looks you will be getting from other hunters. :chuckle: :chuckle: Two 5 or 10 round magazines would be perfect....one for your pocket / pack and one in the rifle. More ammo than you a person should need for a day of hunting.
Post by: trophyhunt on October 18, 2025, 11:41:26 AM
Post by: Bob33 on October 18, 2025, 11:52:15 AM
Post by: Bearhunter308 on October 18, 2025, 12:01:34 PM
Post by: Bob33 on October 18, 2025, 12:38:39 PM
Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on October 18, 2025, 01:17:04 PM
Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.
I remember seeing that, then finding something that was conflicting elsewhere. I just pulled up the regulations online and it appears to be the same verbiage as it used to be now.
LOADED FIREARMS IN A VEHICLE
It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in any motor
vehicle (except for disabled hunters in compliance
with WAC 220-200-170. Hunters with disabilities
please reference page 82). A rifle or shotgun con-
taining shells or cartridges in either the chamber
or magazine, or a muzzleloading firearm that
is loaded and capped or primed is considered loaded. It is illegal to use an off-road vehicle to
pursue, harass, concentrate, or kill wildlife.
Edit to add the RCW where it is different from the above text.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460
Post by: Salmonmoocher12 on October 18, 2025, 01:23:15 PM
Post by: Bob33 on October 18, 2025, 01:39:37 PM
The RCW was changed this year. Perhaps the online regulations have not been updated. This is the condition as stated in the RCW:Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.
I remember seeing that, then finding something that was conflicting elsewhere. I just pulled up the regulations online and it appears to be the same verbiage as it used to be now.
LOADED FIREARMS IN A VEHICLE
It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in any motor
vehicle (except for disabled hunters in compliance
with WAC 220-200-170. Hunters with disabilities
please reference page 82). A rifle or shotgun con-
taining shells or cartridges in either the chamber
or magazine, or a muzzleloading firearm that
is loaded and capped or primed is considered loaded. It is illegal to use an off-road vehicle to
pursue, harass, concentrate, or kill wildlife.
Edit to add the RCW where it is different from the above text.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460
(b) The rifle or shotgun contains a shell or cartridge in the chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.
Post by: jrebel on October 18, 2025, 01:48:35 PM
The RCW was changed this year. Perhaps the online regulations have not been updated. This is the condition as stated in the RCW:Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.
I remember seeing that, then finding something that was conflicting elsewhere. I just pulled up the regulations online and it appears to be the same verbiage as it used to be now.
LOADED FIREARMS IN A VEHICLE
It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in any motor
vehicle (except for disabled hunters in compliance
with WAC 220-200-170. Hunters with disabilities
please reference page 82). A rifle or shotgun con-
taining shells or cartridges in either the chamber
or magazine, or a muzzleloading firearm that
is loaded and capped or primed is considered loaded. It is illegal to use an off-road vehicle to
pursue, harass, concentrate, or kill wildlife.
Edit to add the RCW where it is different from the above text.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460
(b) The rifle or shotgun contains a shell or cartridge in the chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.
I see your section 1 sub section b.....is accurate. But then read the bottom or last sentence....section 5. This reads as if the magazine cannot be in the rifle or shotgun. Or am I reading it wrong??
RCW 77.15.460
Loaded rifle or shotgun in vehicle—Unlawful use or possession—Unlawful use of a loaded firearm—Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, as defined in RCW 46.04.320, or upon an off-road vehicle, as defined in RCW 46.04.365, if:
(a) The person carries, transports, conveys, possesses, or controls a rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, or upon an off-road vehicle, except as allowed by department rule; and
(b) The rifle or shotgun contains a shell or cartridge in the chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.
(2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if:
(a) The person negligently discharges a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway; or
(b) The person discharges a firearm from within a moving motor vehicle or from upon a moving off-road vehicle.
(3) Unlawful possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle or upon an off-road vehicle, and unlawful use of a loaded firearm are misdemeanors.
(4) This section does not apply if the person:
(a) Is a law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a firearm and is on duty within the officer's respective jurisdiction;
(b) Has been granted a disability designation as provided by RCW 77.32.237 and complies with all rules of the department concerning hunting by persons with disabilities; or
(c) Discharges the rifle or shotgun from upon a nonmoving motor vehicle, as long as the engine is turned off and the motor vehicle is not parked on or beside the maintained portion of a public road, except as authorized by the commission by rule. This subsection (4)(c) does not apply to off-road vehicles, which are unlawful to use for hunting under RCW 46.09.480, unless the person has a department permit issued under RCW 77.32.237.
(5) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a rifle or shotgun shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the rifle or shotgun.
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on October 18, 2025, 01:52:11 PM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on October 18, 2025, 01:55:58 PM
Post by: jrebel on October 18, 2025, 02:01:20 PM
If something has changed, I would like to see the documentation.
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on October 18, 2025, 02:06:27 PM
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.
Post by: Brute on October 18, 2025, 02:07:59 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 18, 2025, 02:16:17 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251018/ba39382c3cf77240984f7cac748692fb.jpg)
Can’t have one in the chamber^^
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251018/16c7dca859c032ec6bd1e8dfe76f5ad7.jpg)
^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on October 19, 2025, 12:37:25 PM
Is there 2 parts to this? :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?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251018/ba39382c3cf77240984f7cac748692fb.jpg)
Can’t have one in the chamber^^
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251018/16c7dca859c032ec6bd1e8dfe76f5ad7.jpg)
^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: bigtex on October 19, 2025, 07:15:43 PM
There is no change to the actual prohibition of a loaded firearm in WA (round in mag vs round in chamber)Is there 2 parts to this? :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?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251018/ba39382c3cf77240984f7cac748692fb.jpg)
Can’t have one in the chamber^^
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251018/16c7dca859c032ec6bd1e8dfe76f5ad7.jpg)
^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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).
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Post by: Fidelk on October 19, 2025, 07:32:22 PM