Uncased Firearms??

[wizbang]

Hi, all. Just noticed this article. Currently in Minnesota, its illegal to have a gun in the vehicle unless its unloaded and in a case. Some in the state legislature are discussing changing the law so we can have them uncased. For those from states where you don't need a case, how does it work? Reactions/thoughts?

Bill would allow uncased firearms in vehicles
Star Tribune
January 15, 2009

Minnesota hunters and shooters would be allowed to transport uncased and unloaded rifles and shotguns in their vehicles under a bill introduced in the Legislature. Under current law, the only time firearms can be transported uncased and unloaded is in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.

"We think we can reduce [firearms-related] accidents and reduce conflicts between conservation officers and hunters,'' said Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, who co-authored the bill along with Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder. Dill said he doesn't believe loosening the law will result in more firearms-related accidents, or encourage illegal shooting from roadways or poaching. "Our bill would not allow any ammunition in the chamber or magazine,'' he said. The existing law, he said, is a headache for gun owners and conservation officers alike. He said hunters now can be cited for technicalities, like not fully fastening their guns cases. And casing a gun every time a hunter moves from field to field to hunt is a hassle, he said.

Cornish, a former Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer, agrees with Dill. "It's a burdensome regulation that I don't think saves lives or helps hunting ethics,'' he said.

The DNR opposes the bill, noting that states that don't require cased firearms have significantly higher firearms-related accident rates. "This is going to increase the risk of having additional hunting-related injuries and fatalities due to firearms,'' said Mike Hammer, DNR enforcement division education coordinator."

Source: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/37689829.html

[LeviM]

Having to case your gun everytime in MN is ridiculous! I can't stand hunting MN and I can't stand the laws. For instance, needing to get permission for every piece of land you want to hunt. ND, and other states have it figured out if you don't want people on your land post it. When you ask permission to hunt around MN, the farmer usually has their money out looking for some money.

[bucksnbears]

gun cases???what gun case .i've hunted with a pile of people over the years and almost all have there guns uncased as soon as "WE" leave town. not to be a law breaker but i rate this law as rediculas. also, havebeen checked by afew law officers and have never ben ticketed for uncased guns. n.d definatlly has it right

[kodiak_vs]

I live in minnesota and i never obey this law, its stupid. As soon as we get in the trucks to hunt we load the guns and throw the cases in the back seat. Kind of hard to hunt yotes with the gun cased and not loaded, and deer also. It would be great if they pass this law so we dont always have to be on the look out for the officers in green, (DNR).

[Tim Anderson]

[quote][/ also, havebeen checked by afew law officers and have never ben ticketed for uncased gunsquote]
Sorry but i'll have to call B.S. on that. Look up Mn. DNR and look under cuff's and collars. Fines are issued every year for uncased firearms and if you where stopped by the warden and did'nt get a ticket then he was'nt a game-warden.. A fine for uncased gun is around 125.00-175.00 , it is'nt worth getting caught , so i just zipp up ...
But it wouldbe nice if the law does get passed, i'm tired of buying a new case every year..

[bucksnbears]

sorry T.A. but i have been checked, only once by a c.o. but 4-5 times by county deputies. i also hunt/have hunted with several law officers that also hunt predators with uncased guns.

[cooper]

In georgia i have been thru a road block with my m4 223 on the front seat along with my 45 and my tactical shot gun in my gun rack they never said anything but i do have a
concealed weapons permit they wanted to see that in a bad way.I do know that on WILD LIFE MANAGMET land your firearms cant be loaded.I will check with the DNR on
the laws about uncased firearms.thats a crazey law.
eddie 223

[Prairie Ghost]

Not a fan of the law might explain why i didn't hunt minnesota much i know some people are for it to help curb road hunting but to me it's just another ridiculous law that never should have got passed in the first place.

[bucksnbears]

'AMEN''

[Tim Anderson]

sorry T.A. but i have been checked, only once by a c.o. but 4-5 times by county deputies. i also hunt/have hunted with several law officers that also hunt predators with uncased guns.

So then youre a slob hunter/ poacher/law breaker???? If you don't follow the case law then you must not follow anyother laws...

[bucksnbears]

do you drive over 55mph in a55mph zone????????guess your a law breaker also

[kodiak_vs]

Amen bucksnbears. I dont get why TA thinks we are slob hunters since we dont use cases in the trucks. T.A. so if u see a yote close to the road, your saying u have to pull your gun out of the case and then load it and then get in the ditch to shoot, (since its ilegal to shoot off the road)? By that time the animal is gone, might as well make it easier and not case them. thats just my view i guess. We got stopped a few times last year by the boys in green, but we saw them first and got everyhing unloaded and cased by the time that he got to us.

[wizbang]

I think its even a felony in MN to have a loaded gun in a car. Not sure I agree with that...

[Tbush]

Well said TA if its the law....obey it period!! If you start to over look one law then another just cause you think its dumb....well hope you get busted

[lyonch]

you guys really need to start watching what you are saying here!! I can gurantee you that there is more than just coyote hunters that look at these posts. Don't come down on TA if he doesn't agree with you guys. At least he is smart enough to say that he abides by the law even if he really doesn't