Is it legal to hold 5 shots in my magazine and 1 in the chamber of my Remington 870 Magnum Express Shotgun?
January 15th, 2010 by eranio
I live in Stanislaus County, California. I bought the shotgun for security purposes. I am planning to go camping near Sonora Pass next month and want to bring my shotgun for security and to do target shooting. I want to make sure I am not breaking any laws.
Posted in remington shotguns
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
On a practical note, Having a round in the chamber of a long gun can be an unsafe practice. Over time people often become too familiar with the "Condition One" weapon in their hands and do not practice the discipline of muzzle awareness.
When you have a condition one weapon (Magazine loaded, slide/Bolt forward on a loaded chamber, weapon on or off safe) you should feel a little alarm bell going off in your head. You easily have the ability to unleash deadly force with the touch of the safety and a light pressure on the trigger. Get careless and you will blow a hole in something you care about.
If you anticipate danger, and have the shotgun in your hands, that is the time to rack a round into the chamber. The alarm bell tingles in your head and you will move with caution. It should not be in condition one just riding around in your vehicle for the length of your camping trip waiting for some inadvertent piece of gear to bump the safety and press the trigger for you.
Condition 3 (magazine fully loaded, slide/bolt forward on an empty chamber, weapon on or off safe) The weapon is very safe but in an instant can be "Made Ready" for use.
Check the legalities of the park you are going to, some do not allow firearms in the park. Also check your state laws. Packing.org is a start also Google both the park and regulations and California and gun laws or something similar. Make sure to get the most recent legislation. Also call the park and ask the rangers there.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
I think you need to check the laws of California rather than asking on Answers because that could have some serious results. ALSO, if you are going to be in a state or federal park area, then I would imagine the answer would be it would not be legal.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Last time Ichecked it is only illegal to hold the extra rounds if you are hunting. Make sure the magazine is empty and the shells a re locked in the glove box while driving, as it is illegal to transport a loaded weapon……. and if you really in doubt google the Californai Dept of Fish and Games website, there will be a full listing of the legal requirements for your shotgun.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Zach first I see u live in Calif. and I am not familiar with the laws in yur area I also have a 870 and it does hold 5plus. but get this….When we hunt in aState Park in NY we have to put a stopper in the barrel so we can only load 3 shots in all.. but otherwise we can go full bore….check with your local gun shops or hunting lic. bure.
good luck and have fun..it is a great shotgun.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
As long as you are not hunting you are legal. The only question I have is the campsite a National or State Park? If in fact that is the case there are laws in California against firearms being carried or possessed in these parks unless they have outdoor range facilities for shooting guns.(By permit only) Other than that you are fine.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
In Canada it is legal to hold 5 in the mag. and 1 in the chamber when target shooting but not hunting you can only have 3 in the mag., this law seems to be the same across North America. Best thing to do is check out your local laws
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
It should be ok for security but for game hunting you can only have 3 rounds in the gun
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
If it’s public land, yes, you can take your shotgun for protection with a few caveats….
You have to carry it unloaded and *locked* in your trunk when inside your vehicle….and you can NOT carry it onto a national park or state park land no matter what! Possession of a firearm on national or state park land outside legal hunting season is an immediate arrest. Sonora is near Yosemite, right?
How do you get five shots into your Remington Express magazine? That one has me stumped.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Hunting shotguns are limited to three rounds. If you removed the plug to increase the bullet capacity then it is not legal for hunting. If it came capable of loading more than three total rounds it was not a hunting version but a defensive shotgun. Since you are in California and things are ‘different’ there, check with your local authorities about using your shotgun for target shooting and security purposes. It should be ok even in California, but you never know.
H
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
If you are not hunting, and it is legal to have a gun where you are going you will be fine. They sell the shotguns here in California with 9 rounds for self defense. pretty much in California as long as it doesn’t go over 10+1 your gold. You are more than ok.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
if you hunt no but for defense yes. ask local law enforcment.