This thread is annoying. Lets go over some stuff here:
Why do you say it looks bad? The gun doesnt look complete without a magazine, this is like saying that tires make a car look bad.
What curve does dropping a magazine put you behind while loading? If you know how to load a gun it has no affect on your load time.
Carrying a gun is a good way to not be a target. If its clear that you are not carrying a loaded gun, you are still a somewhat easy target. If i was gonna rob someone and i had a choice between someone that was clearly unloaded, and someone that may or may not be unloaded, i would go for the guy who isnt loaded. Thats just me though.
An empty magazine is not RAS, nor is a gun. 12031(e) gives LEO permission to violate your 4th amendment right in order to see if you are in compliance with the law, or to establish RAS if you are not.
"Reasonable suspicion is only needed for a detention. That is a low standard."
-not really. the officer needs to have reason to believe that a crime has, is being, or is about to be committed, and a gun (magazine inserted or not) does not meet this criteria. refer to 12031(e).
"Reasonable suspicion. You believe a person has a loaded weapon. Would you not treat it as such? As many have said they want you to think it's loaded. "
- Again, having a gun is not reasonable suspicion. having a magazine in a gun is not reasonable suspicion. if you are unreasonably suspicious, thats your problem. but having a magazine in a gun does not give a cop reasonable suspicion.
and the most amazing part of your posts:
"I guess I just look back to my day in the marines. If it has a mag in it it's seen and seen as being loaded until proven otherwise. I think that's not an uncommon view.
Law enforcement is allowed to check your gun. You view this as harassment. I view this as the law. If you make yourself a target then you could be targeted. "
Marines do not follow the same laws as civilians, we were under the UCMJ. stop confusing your time in the Marines with your time in on camp couch.
Here in the civilian life we have rights (or should anyway) the 4th amendment right (you should be ashamed that you helped defend the constitution as a Marine and are now OK with it being violated) guarantees us the right to be secure in our person and effects. that is, we can not be searched without a warrant, 12031(e) is a clear violation of the 4th amendment. guns are not illegal, we should not be searched or inspected just for having one.
What you view as law even though it is clearly unconstitutional is a typical sheeple mentality. Just because its law it doesnt make it right.
Edit to add:
See if you can notice what conflicts here:
4th amendment to the constitution of the United States of America:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
12031(e):
In order to determine whether or not a firearm is loaded for
the purpose of enforcing this section, peace officers are authorized
to examine any firearm carried by anyone on his or her person or in a
vehicle while in any public place or on any public street in an
incorporated city or prohibited area of an unincorporated territory.
Refusal to allow a peace officer to inspect a firearm pursuant to
this section constitutes probable cause for arrest for violation of
this section.