Thread: Leaving magazines loaded (legal issues?)

Originally Posted by bay_lad

If you handed everyone a copy of the Arms Act I doubt many would read it through. It's pretty wordy.

The Arms Code is actually longer than the Arms Act 1983 (72 vs 64 pages). However, it does also include information about the Arms Regulations 1992.

If you think the Arms Act is long, try reading HSWA 2015.....

Originally Posted by Savage1

I thought it was only an offence under the Land Transport Act, and reading that only appears to be an offence to have the loaded magazines in the firearm, it's talking about loaded firearms not loaded magazines.

There is nothing that I know of in legislation that states that you can't have loaded magazines in your home or car, providing that they're not attached to a firearm.

This is correct. The key bit being 'is loaded with' which means it has to be attached.

Originally Posted by Savage1

I thought it was only an offence under the Land Transport Act, and reading that only appears to be an offence to have the loaded magazines in the firearm, it's talking about loaded firearms not loaded magazines.

There is nothing that I know of in legislation that states that you can't have loaded magazines in your home or car, providing that they're not attached to a firearm.

Quite right, a loaded magazine does not equate to a loaded gun when said magazine is not in the gun. I recall there was a US case recently (relevant as case law, even in NZ) where police charged someone with carrying a loaded firearm on the basis of having a loaded mag next to an ammunition-free pistol. Judge dismissed the charge with reference to an English dictionary!

Still, does not look good having had a loaded mag ready to insert and having shot someone. Preferable to be up for having used the unloaded gun as a club - unless in deed one likes the thought of sitting in the sun under a giant magnifying glass... sshhzzzsplut.

Originally Posted by Savage1

I thought it was only an offence under the Land Transport Act, and reading that only appears to be an offence to have the loaded magazines in the firearm, it's talking about loaded firearms not loaded magazines.

There is nothing that I know of in legislation that states that you can't have loaded magazines in your home or car, providing that they're not attached to a firearm.

That's interesting. I thought loaded magazines were not OK in a vehicle.

Not everyone including the police read it. A few years ago I was stopped at a wof checkpoint with my sks on the back seat. Officer sees it and gets agro show license and its chamber is flagged but trys it on about me leaving the magazine attached took getting the sgt involved to calm him down.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Not everyone including the police read it. A few years ago I was stopped at a wof checkpoint with my sks on the back seat. Officer sees it and gets agro show license and its chamber is flagged but trys it on about me leaving the magazine attached took getting the sgt involved to calm him down.

haha, bet he felt like a genius once his sgt told him

I've often just loaded up my new mags with spent cases to free up the springs etc to make loading easier

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I just use revolvers no need for magazines, the number of times people have arrived at the range without their mags is amazing

Originally Posted by seano

I've often just loaded up my new mags with spent cases to free up the springs etc to make loading easier

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@seano

Coming back to you a bit late on this, but I remembered this thread and returned to it.

Someone correct me, but leaving a spring compressed does not weaken it. Repeatedly compressing and releasing it does - a tiny bit. Just like you do no harm to a bolt action rifle leaving it closed with firing pin spring compressed.

Compressing a spring to beyond its elastic limit really weakens it. By that measure, forcing one extra round into your full mag will achieve a bit of your stated aim of making the spring easier on your fingers. I'd personally just take some emery board to those sharp mag lips.

Nothing stops you from filling a magazine with empty cases, or if you reload - just projectiles, no powder or primers.

What about a rifle with a bolt in it in a vehicle? (No rounds or mag)
I thought it wasn't ok. But one shop I brought from said yeah leave it in, it's ok.

Originally Posted by bully

What about a rifle with a bolt in it in a vehicle? (No rounds or mag)
I thought it wasn't ok. But one shop I brought from said yeah leave it in, it's ok.

You don't have to remove the bolt.

Originally Posted by bully

What about a rifle with a bolt in it in a vehicle? (No rounds or mag)
I thought it wasn't ok. But one shop I brought from said yeah leave it in, it's ok.

How would we transport a semi-auto or a lever action if we had to remove the bolts?

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

How would we transport a semi-auto or a lever action if we had to remove the bolts?

Cheers
Pete

Well yes, it makes sense to me and you.
But it was my understanding it was law or arms code, which often may not make sense.

Originally Posted by bully

Well yes, it makes sense to me and you.
But it was my understanding it was law or arms code, which often may not make sense.

True that.

Cheers
Pete