Loaded/unloaded in Vehicle

HM I must say this is an excellent post on your part !

I can see this could possibly continue until every state has been heard from on this topic and each and every one of us has their own personal reasons for how they do it. What I find so outrageous to me is how these regulations differ from state to state !

Transportating firearms in whatever manner, loaded or unloaded should be up to the individuals doing so ! My opinion. I have done so both ways. I totally agree with EVERY firearm should be considered LOADED and handled appropriately at all times !

Having said that, after transporting firearms both ways I find it safer to load before starting & unloading when done. Constantly loading & unloading numerous times at night, in the dark, trying to be quiet puts me more in danger of an accident. Again my opinion. Keep in mind we all hunt different types of terrain & at different times of the day/ night.
Hunt safe!
Thanks for the topic !
 
Quote:I find it safer to load before starting & unloading when done. Constantly loading & unloading numerous times at night, in the dark, trying to be quiet puts me more in danger of an accident. Again my opinion. Keep in mind we all hunt different types of terrain & at different times of the day/ night.
Hunt safe!

Absolutely, Mick. Loading and unloading a firearm is similar to takeoff and landing an aircraft in that it is probably the most dangerous part of the entire operation.

I realize that many of us have been "raised" in states which prohibit a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and this behavior is ingrained in their psyche.

IMO, a properly designed and installed rifle rack is far more important to transporting a firearm in a vehicle. I feel perfectly safe transporting a loaded firearm in my vehicles in racks designed and installed to:
1) Hold rifle securely with muzzle pointed in safe direction.
2) Provide visibility of action/safety so that condition can be determined at a glance, ie. safety on, bolt lifted, etc.
3) Provide ample room so that muzzle may be controlled while placing the firearm in or taking out of the vehicle.
3) All present know, understand and practice safe muzzle control at all times!

Cased firearms MUST be unloaded, action open in my vehicles.

Regards,
hm
 
Originally Posted By: whyYou guys don't know how good you have it. Here it Maryland you can't even lean a loaded gun up against a vehicle let alone have a loaded weapon in a vehicle.
Same here in NY (SURPRISE SUPRISE) We can carry our pistols loaded with an un restricted permit
 
I always unload before putting gun in vehicle. My personal carry, stays in my holster loaded. How many of you have ever been on stand and shot and then later realize your safety is still off while sitting there. Things happen good practice is just smart. No coyote is worth the life of a hunting buddy. That’s just my feelings on the topic.
 
Hi folks,

Bolt actions - Don’t mind mag loaded and bolt closed but empty chamber, safety applied.
Pump actions – Tube can be loaded but slide forward on an empty chamber, again safety applied
O/Us - Unloaded, no questions

I feel with pumps and bolt actions it would take a very unlikely stream of events to get from the safety coming off, the bolt working to correctly chamber a round and go into battery and set the trigger / get the hammer to fall and if it does, it’s just me who has the issue and I don’t think is too difficult to chamber a round if you need to.

Not sure how I’d feel about semi-autos…

Scrummy
 
Originally Posted By: Bearthey figure the handgun is holstered and you won't be pointing your leg or buttocks at anyone.

But are you point the firearm in a safe direction? What about yourself and your body parts?

I wouldn't ASSUME that. Ever see a Yaqui speed holster? Not a lot of actual holster there.

Ever actually looked at what direction your muzzle is actually pointing when your pistol is holstered? What about an appendix carry holster? Lotta butt cheek meat in front of that muzzle.

Or a shoulder holster? That's pointing directly behind you, typically in someone else's face.

That was my point, there seems to be this comfort with a holstered pistol and some kind of anxiety with a rifle/shotgun with the safety off. There is inherent danger with any firearm. It goes with the territory. Your behavior MUST be the deciding factor in the equation. Realistically the only way to make a loaded firearm truly safe is to point it in a safe direction. When we are on stand, most muzzles will be pointed in the general direction that we think a predator is going to approach from. Safety on or not is irrelevant at that point.

I am glad that this age old discussion has come up again. It is good to rehash and to take stock in our own hunting techniques and actions. We can all learn lessons from the mistakes of others and strive to be safer. Again, I will not criticize those who choose to keep their safeties on, that is a personal choice. But I don't agree with those who think they can do other unsafe acts just because their safety is on.
 
Quote:Again, I will not criticize those who choose to keep their safeties on, that is a personal choice. But I don't agree with those who think they can do other unsafe acts just because their safety is on.


BINGO! Job 1: Muzzle control whether on stand or in vehicle!

Regards,
hm
 
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