The laws vary tremendously by state and sometimes by city so you certainly need to do your homework before taking it anywhere.
There may be no legal difference between a loaded magazine beside the pistol and one in the pistol. If I'm going to the range (no carry permit) I have to have the magazines unloaded and the weapon and all ammo in a locked container or car trunk. Iowa law and some Federal law quotes
Deral
The premise still holds.
Robby, so sorry you had so much trouble, if I had any inkling it would be a problem I would've not recommended carrying. I know the problem was not SOP, have carried many times on several bases with no problem.
As you did, I always call ahead and talk to security. Apparently Junior didn't get the memo.
Somebody explain to me the rationalization of not carrying a weapon loaded? I do not carry 'locked and loaded', or even a round in the chamber. For long term carrying that just doesn't make sense from a safety standpoint. However, I always have a magazine in the pistol and two more in the case.
It wasn't that big of a deal, P.L. I didn't let it ruin my day. We were going to pay to stay in the hotel on base anyway. I didn't have to wake up to Revelry at dawn either. 🙂 Just a small bump in the road. You're gonna' run across folks like that occasionally.
I don't know when I'll ever be back on a base, but it'll probably be a long time so I'm not gonna' worry too much about it.
Just few comments on your encounter with the Idiot at the Base Gate.
> Kid Cop: Is your gun registered? Idiot, there is no such thing in the western part of the US until you hit the left coast.
>
> Me: No, the MP told me I wouldn't have to register unless I would be here longer than 48 hours.
>
> Kid Cop: No sir, that's incorrect. I can't allow you entry with the gun.
>
> Me: The MP's told me I could carry it as long as the gun was kept separate from the ammo.
>
> Kid Cop: No sir. You can't come on base with the gun. It's also illegal to transport a handgun across state lines. Idiot again. NO such prohibition exists in the US.
>
> Me: No it isn't. New Mexico and Colorado both have reciprocal agreements with Texas for concealed carry. Robby, doesn't matter except for CC and how you transport if you don't have a CCL.
>
