Washington Rifle transport question

KCKracker · Apr 17, 2022

A local FFL told my 24 year old son, that he had to break down his AR-15 and separate the upper lower, to take it home after it's release because it wasn't in a locked case and locked in the trunk.

Is this a new law?
Last I knew a "hunting" rifle couldn't be loaded, as in magazine out, that's it.
Any clarification would be great.

American123 · Apr 17, 2022

KCKracker said:
A local FFL told my 24 year old son, that he had to break down his AR-15 and separate the upper lower, to take it home after it's release because it wasn't in a locked case and locked in the trunk.
Is this a new law?
Last I knew a "hunting" rifle couldn't be loaded, as in magazine out, that's it.
Any clarification would be great.

Fudd lore, read RCW's regarding transporting firearms. Must be unloaded, that's it. Gun stores are great places to hear completely incorrect information regarding firearms and laws.

User 1234 · Apr 17, 2022

Which FFL was this?

Alexx1401 · Apr 17, 2022

I "hope" what it really was, was just someone who worked at a gun shop, not the person who actually has the FFL. Often shops pay very little. They can attract people who have no clue but present themselves as "expert" because they work there. You DO NOT have to take the damn thing apart to put it in a vehicle. Just not have it loaded.

Stomper · Apr 17, 2022

L84Cabo said:
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 RCW46.04.320, 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 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:
(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) 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; 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.

RCW 77.15.460: Loaded rifle or shotgun in vehicle—Unlawful use or possession—Unlawful use of a loaded firearm—Penalty. (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460)

American123 · Apr 17, 2022

Alexx1401 said:
I "hope" what it really was, was just someone who worked at a gun shop, not the person who actually has the FFL. Often shops pay very little. They can attract people who have no clue but present themselves as "expert" because they work there. You DO NOT have to take the damn thing apart to put it in a vehicle. Just not have it loaded.

They're everywhere. I had a shop one time tell me it was their policy that I had to put a lock on the rifle I bought (while it was still in the box) before I could leave the store with it. If I didn't have a lock, I could buy one from them. I said, "explain this logic to me, that I have a loaded gun already readily accessible on my hip but I need to lock the unloaded one in the box," showing them my hip. Left with my purchase and without buying a lock, what were they going to do, not give me the merchandise I had already paid for and we had already signed into my name, meaning they would have been stealing my firearm - idiots.

Alexx1401 · Apr 17, 2022

American123 said:
They're everywhere. I had a shop one time tell me it was their policy that I had to put a lock on the rifle I bought (while it was still in the box) before I could leave the store with it. If I didn't have a lock, I could buy one from them. I said, "explain this logic to me, that I have a loaded gun already readily accessible on my hip but I need to lock the unloaded one in the box," showing them my hip. Left with my purchase and without buying a lock, what were they going to do, not give me the merchandise I had already paid for and we had already signed into my name, meaning they would have been stealing my firearm - idiots.

When you get into store "policy" things can get pretty humorous. When my Wife and I were just dating she bought me a shotgun from a Wally here when they still sold them. They told her the manager had to take the gun to her vehicle for her and she could not buy any ammo. So she let the guy carry the box out to the vehicle. Then had one kid stay in the vehicle while she went back in to buy several boxes of ammo for it, from the same guy who just carried the damn thing to the car for her. The poor guy I am sure thought it was stupid too but he had to do what he was told.