Loaded mags in public

[Hunter87]

Can someone confirm to me that it is illegal to have loaded magazines in public even if they are not inserted into a firearm I am 100% sure this is the case but I just want to make sure mr mate isn't going to get into trouble.

[Airbrush]

From memory it's only air rifle mag's.

[Racalman]

The 2015 Home Office Guide on Firearms Licensing Law and the 2005 Firearms Security Handbook are both silent on the matter.

I guess it comes down to having good reason.

[Maggot]

Speak to your FEO or local licensing department for their take.

I went through this a while back with an FEO collegue at work and they may have different takes on it in different forces depending on common sense levels.

In essence, a filled magazine in not loaded but filled (loading specifically meaning fitted to a rifle etc) so you can argue its no different to a tin of pellets.

However....fit it to a rifle and it is now "loaded" (in a public place) but not "Made ready".

Andy's comment makes sense in that there were (Logun Pros come to mind as well as some theobens) airguns that had/have integral mags so as soon as they were filled they were also loaded.

Personally I always travel with my AR mags loaded prior to a match to save me arsing about with what is needed for the first COF of the day...thus allowing my tiny analogue brain's valves to warm up.

My take is if it does not mean that making ready is all that is required to do just that, you should be ok but dont take my word, I am not a judge, speak to your licensing department

[Maggot]

Actually there are a couple of mentionfs under acts (and not guidance) as follows

19 Carrying firearm in a public place.E+W+S.A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him) he has with him in a public place

(a)a loaded shot gun, .
(b)an air weapon (whether loaded or not), .
(c)any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm, or .
(d)an imitation firearm.]

I am sure I have seen magazines mentioned somewhere (being integral etc) but I am damned if I can remember however.....

Where does an uncontrolled item like a mag become a weapon? Unless it is permamnently fixed or pressure bearing (like a cylinder for a revolver etc)? Can it discharge a round on its own? Logically it cannot but logic dont always follow do it?

Well they do say it is not fit for purpose

[Blackstuff]

This crops up every now and again and I'm yet to be shown any legislation OR guidance that says rounds inserted into a DETACHED/ABLE magazine, constitutes either a firearm in its own right, or a loaded firearm if carried at the same time as a rifle/shotgun/pistol.

So my answer is a firm no.

[Chuck]

When the cops lose a full magazine they claim it is "harmless unless inserted into the firearm".

[Hunter87]

When the cops lose a full magazine they claim it is "harmless unless inserted into the firearm".

Do as I say not as I do mentality

[Kungfugerbil]

I load magazines in advance but treat them just as I do loose ammunition... A magazine is after all just an expensive storage box with limited capacity :)

I wouldn't walk around a shopping centre with a pocket full of bullets any more than I would a loaded mag.

[Outsider]

I load magazines in advance but treat them just as I do loose ammunition... A magazine is after all just an expensive storage box with limited capacity :)

I wouldn't walk around a shopping centre with a pocket full of bullets any more than I would a loaded mag.

Unless you had to walk through a shopping centre to get to a train station to go to the range, like say if you lived near Elephant and Castle.