Don't forget to unload your rifle before putting it in a vehicle

posted 03:47 PM 10/13
Link this article here.

I was out at Vail Tree Farm for the modern firearms deer hunting opener on Saturday, and I saw state Department of Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers checking just about everyone for loaded rifles in their vehicles.

It's illegal to have a loaded rifle or shotgun in a truck or car in Washington.

One jeep -- with four hunters inside -- also had four loaded rifles inside. One of the rifles had a shell in the firing chamber.

One of the officers told me that loaded firearms in a vehicle is the cause of many deaths and injuries.

It's easy for someone to get shot when people are riding around in a truck and see a deer near the road. Everyone grabs their rifle and jumps out of the truck -- and sometimes triggers get accidently pulled, the officer said.

"We will ticket you for a loaded rifle in a vehicle," he said. "No mercy."

It takes a few seconds to load or unload a firearm. The memory of shooting a friend or family member while riding around in the truck lasts forever.

Chester Allen

Report from a big weekend at Vail Tree Farm

posted 10:13 AM 10/13

Check back here Monday for more on modern firearms opener

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