Driving with full magazine

[dimachico]

Is it legal to drive with a loaded magazine in MN?
I do not have a concealed permit, just wondering if I can drive to the range with all of my mags filled. It would save a bit of time at the range if I can preload the mags prior to hitting the road.

FWIW I would keep the loaded mags in a separate (unlocked) hardcase from the firearms.

Thanks a bunch!

[farmerj]

yeah, you can have a loaded magazine in the car. Like you said though, just don't have it in the weapon.

[tman]

Loaded mags are fine, even inside the case with your firearm.

Just keep the chamber clear.

(sent from a "secure location" via scrambled phone)

[dimachico]

Thanks for the info. I was having a devil of a time googling any information.

Thanks again!

[TH3180]

I have wondered the same thing.

[Snowgun]

Loaded mags are fine, even inside the case with your firearm.

Just keep the chamber clear.

(sent from a "secure location" via scrambled phone)

You don't mean you can have the mag in the gun though with an empty chamber, right?

[meddin]

I believe loaded mags are ok in the gun. As long as the chamber is empty, and gun is cased. Correct?

[tman]

Loaded mags are fine, even inside the case with your firearm.

Just keep the chamber clear.

(sent from a "secure location" via scrambled phone)

You don't mean you can have the mag in the gun though with an empty chamber, right?

Oops! Didn't mean to give that impression. The magazine well and the chamber BOTH need to stay clear!

[carver952]

I did not find any laws around ammunition, just that the firearm had to be unloaded.
624.714 Carrying Of Weapons Without Permit; Penalties.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=624.714
Subd. 9 A permit to carry is not required of a person:
(5) to transport a pistol in a motor vehicle, if the pistol is unloaded,
contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package.

97B.045 Transportation of Firearms.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes?id=97B.045
Subdivision 1.Restrictions.
A person may not transport a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is:
(1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm,
and the case fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened,
and without any portion of the firearm exposed;
(2) unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle

[futbol79]

Don't come to a USPSA match with a loaded mag in a gun. If you go to the Safe table to unload it you get awarded a DQ!

[plblark]

97A.015 definitions

Subd. 51.Unloaded. "Unloaded" means, with reference to a firearm, without ammunition in the barrels and magazine, if the magazine is in the firearm.

[farmerj]

Don't come to a USPSA match with a loaded mag in a gun. If you go to the Safe table to unload it you get awarded a DQ!

So if you carry in transit to where ever because you have your permit to carry. WHAT are they SUPPOSED to do when they arrive at the event? Unload in the car in the parking lot? Especially coming from a gun event to not even having provisions for permit holders.

Seems like a rather draconian rule.

(Yes I understand the reasoning for it)

[plblark]

Find a RO and ask them to take you to a berm to clear a carry gun. Clear it, holster it, put tge loaded mag in your bag before you go to the safety area to get the rest of your gear ready.

[Pat Cannon]

Don't come to a USPSA match with a loaded mag in a gun. If you go to the Safe table to unload it you get awarded a DQ!

So if you carry in transit to where ever because you have your permit to carry. WHAT are they SUPPOSED to do when they arrive at the event? Unload in the car in the parking lot? Especially coming from a gun event to not even having provisions for permit holders.

Seems like a rather draconian rule.

(Yes I understand the reasoning for it)

At Benny & China's steel matches (you probably recall) there's a designated carry gun unloading area facing a berm. That's the way it should be done. Every other match of any sort I've been to, the unspoken rule is: unload in the parking lot when nobody's looking. If you ask someone in authority what the procedure is, I'm sure some places will tell you to unload before you leave home.

[Edit to add:]...but Plblark has the right answer.

[Squib Joe]

Loaded mags are fine, even inside the case with your firearm.

Fine for you, but absolutely not so fine with other LEOs, especially in the metro area. In particular if the gun case is in the front seat next to you and you don't have a carry permit. There have been occasions where the empty gun and loaded mag are taken from the case, slapped on the hood of the car, and the owner charged with having a loaded pistol without a permit.

Whether the cop claims that the driver removed the mag before he got to the door or if he claims that he removed it himself, I don't know, but this does happen.

The cops I've talked to almost all agree that they see this as a "work around" to have a gun in the car for defense without having a permit - and they do not like it. Add to that a hazy understanding of the law and you may be asking for trouble.

So yes, you're within the law, but I still wouldn't suggest doing this.