Carbine transport in WA State

[chagasrod]

Hello to all!

Anyone knows the law regarding the legal transport of an AR Carbine within WA state?

I've been keeping the Carbine unloaded and with a chamber flag inside a soft case in the truck;
The ammo i carry in a separate box inside the car on the floor behind the passenger seat.

Am i acting within the law in this state?

Thank you in advance.

 

[NavyLCDR]

It can be unloaded anywhere in the vehicle, carried concealed or open. The ammo can also be anywhere in the vehicle other than in the gun or in a magazine attached to the gun.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

RCW 77.15.460
Loaded firearm in vehicle — Unlawful use or possession — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle if:

(a) The person carries, transports, conveys, possesses, or controls a rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle; and

(b) The rifle or shotgun contains shells or cartridges in the magazine or 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 the person negligently shoots a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway.

(3) Unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle or unlawful use of a loaded firearm is a misdemeanor.

(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) Possesses a disabled hunter's permit as provided by RCW 77.32.237 and complies with all rules of the department concerning hunting by persons with disabilities.

(5) For purposes of this section, a firearm shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the firearm.

 

[hermannr]

This RCW 77 (game law) is basically an anti-poaching law. It has nothing to do with RCW 9.41 (carry for self defence).

RCW 77.15.460 only applies while you are in a vehicle.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Also, if you do not have a Washington CPL, in order to comply with the Federal Gun Free School Zone Law, the rifle must be in a locked case or gun rack in the vehicle anytime you are within 1000' of a school:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00000922----000-.html
18 USC 922 (q)

§ 922. Unlawful acts
(q)(2)
(A) It shall be unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.

(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the possession of a firearm—

(i) on private property not part of school grounds; [or]

(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license; [or]

(iii) that is—
(I) not loaded; and
(II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle;

 

[Jagermann]

Shouldn't be a problem

You shouldn't have a problem possessing or transporting your AR in the state of Washington. As was mentioned above there is an old poaching law that requires rifles to be unloaded.

Even if your mags are loaded that is fine as long as a loaded magazine is not inserted into your rifle.

"(5) For purposes of this section, a firearm shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the firearm."