I agree with you but in Ohio you can not have a loaded non-handgun. With a CCW permit you can have a loaded handgun only. Ohio considers loaded rifle mags the same as a having a loaded rifle if it is in the vehicle. This means if you have a rifle in your truck all mags for it must be unloaded which makes for a long time to get that rifle into operation.
I also don't like donut spares but it sure beats walking.
swede4198 are you sure about that? I researched the statute and it seems to me you can have a loaded magazine for a long gun in the car as long as it is in a container separate from the long gun. A pouch on the outside of an AR case would meet this requirement. This is supported by interpretations on the Buckeye Firearms forum.
I'd also disagree that loading an AR takes "a long time". Taking a magazine out of a case and loading it into an AR takes like 2 seconds. Yes, there is that argument that the 2 seconds could be critical but then you may want to reconsider your tactics.
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.16
(K) As used in this section:
...
(5)
(a) "Unloaded" means
, with respect to a firearm other than a firearm described in division (K)(6) of this section, that no ammunition is in the firearm in question, no magazine or speed loader containing ammunition is inserted into the firearm in question , and one of the following applies:
(i) There is no ammunition in a magazine or speed loader that is in the vehicle in question and that may be used with the firearm in question.
(ii) Any magazine or speed loader that contains ammunition and that may be used with the firearm in question is stored in a compartment within the vehicle in question that cannot be accessed without leaving the vehicle or is stored in a
container that provides complete and separate enclosure.
(b) For the purposes of division (K)(5)(a)(ii) of this section, a "container that provides complete and separate enclosure" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(i) A package, box, or case with multiple compartments, as long as the loaded magazine or speed loader and the firearm in question either are in separate compartments within the package, box, or case, or, if they are in the same compartment, the magazine or speed loader is contained within a separate enclosure in that compartment that does not contain the firearm and that closes using a snap, button, buckle, zipper, hook and loop closing mechanism, or other fastener that must be opened to access the contents or the firearm is contained within a separate enclosure of that nature in that compartment that does not contain the magazine or speed loader;
(ii) A pocket or other enclosure on the person of the person in question that closes using a snap, button, buckle, zipper, hook and loop closing mechanism, or other fastener that must be opened to access the contents.
(c) For the purposes of divisions (K)(5)(a) and (b) of this section, ammunition held in stripper-clips or in en-bloc clips is not considered ammunition that is loaded into a magazine or speed loader.
(6) "Unloaded" means, with respect to a firearm employing a percussion cap, flintlock, or other obsolete ignition system, when the weapon is uncapped or when the priming charge is removed from the pan.
