Leg. Question: Loaded magazines in route to range...

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Shinken

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I am trying to follow my local (IA/IL border) legal codes but am not sure about this issue:

I have an acquire handgun permit but NOT a carry one. So when traveling to the range, I make sure that my handgun is in it's large pistol bag, wayyy in the back seat. My question is this, if I decide to preload my magazines and include them inside the same pistol bag, can that get me in trouble (assuming I was stopped for any reason)? If it matters, I would not insert any of the preloaded magazines in the handgun.

Any input appreciated :D

CC
 
There is wide variability regarding this issue.

You need to post the city and state you are in to get a reasonably accurate answer.

An example of the wide variability, in California, a loaded mag is essentially viewed as a loaded gun and verboten in the car, in most of Nevada I a can load the magazine, chamber a round, and place under the seat of the car or in the glove box (only considered concealed if on my person).
 
Alright protolith... I would be traveling a short distance from Davenport, Iowa to the range located about 7-8 miles in Moline, Illinois.

CC
 
You are OK on the IL side with loaded mags and the unloaded gun cased as you describe.
Can't help you with IA.
 
Iowa law

Under Iowa law for transporting firearms in a vehicle, if the magazine is loaded the gun is loaded, regardless of whether the magazine is in or out of the gun or where in the vehicle the magazine is located. Unload the magazine or get a CCW permit.

I can't speak for Illinois laws, but Illinois does not have a good reputation in this regard. Be aware that an Iowa CCW permit is not worth the paper it's printed on in Illinois.
 
It sounds like IA, is VERY similar to CA transporting gun laws.

Here's my routine when heading to the range:
Unloaded gun in locked case-check
Unloaded magazines in a separate area away from gun case-check
Ammo boxed in backpack-check.

All stored in the trunk space in my car; therefore not within arms reach-check and check.
 
I feel bad for you fella's.

My preparations for range trips consists of...
1. Grab guns out of safe.
2. Place in range bag or cases so they don't get scratched... (Handguns either go in holsters or my padded case.)
3. Toss 'em on the passenger seat, behind the seat, in the bed of the truck. toss one on the dashboard if I feel like it...
4. Go to the range.
 
protolith said:
There is wide variability regarding this issue.



An example of the wide variability, in California, a loaded mag is essentially viewed as a loaded gun and verboten in the car,

Not true, but widely believed. The California Court of Appeals (People vs Clark, 1996) decided many years ago that a loaded magazine does not constitute a loaded firearm unless it is actually inserted in the magazine well. The only time that carrying a loaded magazine is illegal is if you are engaging in "criminal street gang activity."
 
Where in the Iowa Statutes does it say magazines have to be unloaded? It says weapons must be unloaded and cased but specifies nothing about ammunition and/or magazines:

724.4 Carrying weapons.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon concealed on or about the person, or who, within the limits of any city, goes armed with a pistol or revolver, or any loaded firearm of any kind, whether concealed or not, or who knowingly carries or transports in a vehicle a pistol or revolver, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
2. A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the person, if the person uses the knife in the commission of a crime, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
3. A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the person, if the person does not use the knife in the commission of a crime:
a. If the knife has a blade exceeding eight inches in length, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
b. If the knife has a blade exceeding five inches but not exceeding eight inches in length, commits a serious misdemeanor.
4. Subsections 1 through 3 do not apply to any of the following:
a. A person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon in the person’s own dwelling or place of business, or on land owned or possessed by the person.
b. A peace officer, when the officer’s duties require the person to carry such weapons.
c. A member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard or person in the service of the United States, when the weapons are carried in connection with the person’s duties as such.
d. A correctional officer, when the officer’s duties require, serving under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections.
e. A person who for any lawful purpose carries an unloaded pistol, revolver, or other dangerous weapon inside a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to be concealed on the person.
f. A person who for any lawful purpose carries or transports an unloaded pistol or revolver in a vehicle inside a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the pistol or revolver will not be readily accessible to any person riding in the vehicle or common carrier.

g. A person while the person is lawfully engaged in target practice on a range designed for that purpose or while actually engaged in lawful hunting.
h. A person who carries a knife used in hunting or fishing, while actually engaged in lawful hunting or fishing.
i. A person who has in the person’s possession and who displays to a peace officer on demand a valid permit to carry weapons which has been issued to the person, and whose conduct is within the limits of that permit. A person shall not be convicted of a violation of this section if the person produces at the person’s trial a permit to carry weapons which was valid at the time of the alleged offense and which would have brought the person’s conduct within this exception if the permit had been produced at the time of the alleged offense.
j. A law enforcement officer from another state when the officer’s duties require the officer to carry the weapon and the officer is in this state for any of the following reasons:
(1) The extradition or other lawful removal of a prisoner from this state.
(2) Pursuit of a suspect in compliance with chapter 806 .
(3) Activities in the capacity of a law enforcement officer with the knowledge and consent of the chief of police of the city or the sheriff of the county in which the activities occur or of the commissioner of public safety.
k. A person engaged in the business of transporting prisoners under a contract with the Iowa department of corrections or a county sheriff, a similar agency from another state, or the federal government.
 
You are OK on the IL side with loaded mags and the unloaded gun cased as you describe.
Can't help you with IA.

And according to Iowa laws as well according to Title XVI, Subtitle 1, Chapter 724.4 quoted above.

Also, since you are travelling interstate and not a resident of Illinois, the FOPA (Firearms Owners Protection Act) would apply in Illinois. Look up FOPA on google and read it carefully. Your fine with loaded magazines (and/or other ammo) as long as they are in the trunk, not IN the weapon itself, or otherwise not accessible to occupants of the vehicle if you don't have a trunk. The ammo and/or magazines can be stored with the weapon, so long as none is in the weapon.
 
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