Thread: Leaving magazines loaded (legal issues?)

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.