Long-gun carry on a motorcycle (WA State)

[Upriver]

Washington Staters...

I'm curious if anyone might have reference to an RCW that covers the carry of an unloaded long gun on a motorcycle...I've searched the state site, and can't find anything. I'm just trying to figure out if it's legal to have an unloaded long gun (shotgun) while riding back and forth to the areas that I hunt up on the National Forest around here...or if I'm stuck driving the truck for this purpose.

Anybody?

 

[Ivy Mike]

that would really depend on your state's rules on how guns must be transported.

While the laws might not care, I'd never carry a long gun on my back while riding unless it was an emergency. A crash almost guarantees the gun will be destroyed and I don't like the idea of a big steel rod crossing my spine should I land on my back. Just asking for trouble IMHO.

 

[Upriver]

I wouldn't wear it - it'd either ride in a handlebar rack, or on a side saddle rack (like what they make for ATV transport). But point taken - riding with something slung across the back is out of the question.

 

[ChestyP]

It is illegal to transport a LOADED long gun in a motor vehicle (presumably that includes motorcycles).

Beyond that, RCW is silent, assuming you are of legal age to possess such firearm and carry it beyond your own property.

It's almost guaranteed that traveling with a visible, uncased firearm on a motorcycle will excite the interest of any law enforcement officer you happen to pass. What action he or she will take will depend on many factors, principally the circumstances surrounding said transport. Out in a rural area, probably no big deal. Cruising 4th Ave in Seattle is another issue entirely.

A closed case or scabbard mounted on the bike would go a long way to discouraging interest, especially if it was fully enclosed so that no one actually knew you were transporting a firearm at any given time.

IANAL; response based on 13 legislative sessions representing various gun groups in Olympia.

 

[rwc]

If you can break it down (unloaded) into a case that doesn't look like a scabbard I would say your probability of having problems gets as low as it can.

 

[Joe Link]

I called the Multnomah County Sheriffs Department and asked them if it would be alright if I transported an SAR1 (AK47 Clone) on my shoulder while riding my sportbike since I didn't have any other means of transportation at the time. They said as long as it was unloaded it wouldn't be illegal but they definately don't recommend it. The chances of getting harassed are extreme.