Technically under state law, unloaded is the requirement unless it's an assault weapon then it has the added requirement about being in the trunk or locked.

There are so many questions/problems/misunderstandings with the new gun laws, all answers I give will if anything err on the side of caution. If the gun is unloaded and either in the trunk or a locked gun case you are exceeding the requirements of 53-205. Personally I would rather do that than run across a police officer who may either not fully understand the law or misinterpret the law and get arrested (even though it would probably get thrown out of court)and have to go through the whole hassle.

If you want to run around with your rifle and shotgun hanging on the rifle rack in the back of your truck have at it. My personal opinion is be a responsible gun owner, don't leave a gun exposed where it may get stolen, don't carry it in a location where an officer making a routine traffic stop can see it and have things go south from there.

Under federal law they are very specific - for interstate transport - about ammo location, etc.


18 USC § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.