Sec. 53-205. Loaded shotguns, rifles and muzzleloaders prohibited in vehicles and snowmobiles.

(a) No person shall carry or possess in any vehicle or snowmobile any shotgun, rifle or muzzleloader of any gauge or caliber while such shotgun, rifle or muzzleloader contains in the barrel, chamber or magazine any loaded shell or cartridge capable of being discharged or when such muzzleloader has a percussion cap in place or when the powder pan of a flintlock contains powder. As used in this subsection, “muzzleloader” means a rifle or shotgun that is incapable of firing a self-contained cartridge and must be loaded at the muzzle end.

(b) The enforcement officers of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection are empowered to enforce this section.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to members of the military departments of the government or state while on duty or while traveling to or from assignments, or to enforcement officers, security guards or other persons employed to protect public or private property while in the performance of such duties.

(d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(1953, S. 3289d; 1969, P.A. 752, S. 11; P.A. 76-374; P.A. 10-36, S. 12; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 12-80, S. 104.)

History: 1969 act prohibited carrying and possession of loaded shotguns and rifles in snowmobiles; P.A. 76-374 included muzzleloaders in prohibition and added provisions specifically applicable to muzzleloaders; P.A. 10-36 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (a) to (d) and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (d) to replace penalty of a fine of not less than $10 or more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both with a class D misdemeanor.

Notation

See Sec. 14-379 for definition of “snowmobile”.

See Sec. 26-6a re constables for fish and game protection.

Cited. 163 C. 184; 195 C. 668; 197 C. 602.

Cited. 35 CS 659.