Same advice I'd say for OCing anywhere. Carry it in a reasonable fashion. Let them call the cops. I had a Mercer Island cop casually chat me up waiting for a bus there over OC because somebody called *shrug*. Most cops know the score on OC and I don't think a single department wants the liability from a protracted stop.

Also, Ruger .41 mag blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel. Or sometimes a Makarov I had some lib get in my face screaming at me a couple years back over it while I was waiting for a bus in Seattle. It was funny. Cops saw it, they wanted to see my CPL before I boarded the bus, then a few days later the Sheriff's department called to apologize for making me show my CPL and said that wasn't their policy and that they'd educate their transit cops on it.

As for why? Meh. Because I can. Because I don't feel like having to hide my gun. Personal comfort, personal choice.

I OC in Thurston County all the time with no issues. I know a bunch of guys to include John Snaza on the sheriffs dept, and they are so in favor of citizens carrying. They know that they do not have anywhere near enough deputies to cover the county, and can't be everywhere.

Do you need a CPL for boarding a bus open carry because it's a vehicle? Have you ever refused the police any request? In general I wouldn't want to be a jerk but at the same time, I fully understand why you wouldn't want to identify yourself if not required, ultimately it is a form of intimidation.

Yes because it's a vehicle.

And from time to time where it see it useful to do so. The average grunt on the street can't be reasoned with, it's easier to let them think they are winning and get it done with and then take it up to their chain of command.

The KCSD Captain I spoke to said the two transit cops just weren't educated on the situation and policy not to demand a CPL for simply boarding a bus while OCing. They corrected that matter and life goes on.

My personal attitude toward Open Carry is that I won't go out of my way to OC or will I go out of my way to conceal.

Each and every situation is different. I just carry. When it's cold I put on a coat. When it's windy I put on a light jacket. When it's warm I merely go out in a shirt. I find IWB carry uncomfortable so I carry in a holster that holds my firearm(s) secure and comfortable. No fancy tactical rig and I limit spare magazines to what I need to balance the load on my belt.

I consider myself to be just an ordinary guy with no desire to show off. I get regular haircuts, shave regularly, and don't have a ton of body piercings or tat's. In short, people probably don't notice me at all, much less the fact I'm carrying a firearm. As I think back, I believe the only person who's ever mentioned my carrying was a Cabela's clerk when they first opened the Tulalip store. He merely commented "I sure wish they'd allow us to carry like they do the customers".

Personally I don't think it's all about the fact you are carrying but more a case of what you look like and what you are doing. Just remember that the way RCW 9.41.270 is worded, those last items CAN be considered when a Police Officer is determining whether to stop you or not. Also, precedent has been set in Vacouver WA when Josh Watson was convicted of unlawful carry. His "Jury" was made up of six people from a pool of 12, 11 of which were gun owners. Don't know if the non-gun owner made it to the final 6 but it's clear that not all gun owners are "Open Carry Friendly" when the circumstances can cause concern.

To my knowledge this case has never been overturned on appeal so you could expect it to be cited in "your trial" if your behavior brings undue attention to the "law".

Just saying.

That same woman would most likely call the Police if she saw you picking your nose or adjusting your junk in public. The world is full of people like that.

The good news is that over the last 10 years Police Departments have been made aware of the state's preemption law and while they may respond, there's a good chance all the officers will do is stop, say high, how are you, and move on if the person carrying isn't doing anything strange.

Depends on the circumstances (see the applicable RCWs). I wouldn't assume that an inserted magazine means the firearm is loaded; it could be an empty magazine. Like Guntrader said, an inserted magazine of unknown condition may catch the attention of law enforcement and result in a stop to inspect, but it matters not what an individual officer thinks; it matters only what the law says.

Definitions:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.010

This section doesn't prohibit an empty inserted magazine. The emphasis is clearly on the firearm containing live ammunition.

Carrying firearms:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.050
This section deals ONLY with carry of pistols, and the emphasis is on concealment; it says nothing about carry of long guns (open or concealed).

Exceptions to restrictions on carrying firearms:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.060
Again, no mention of long guns.

Weapons prohibited in certain places:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.300
The list of places you can't carry is very short.

Loaded long guns in a vehicle:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

This section only addresses loaded long guns in vehicles; it does not address loaded long guns on your person walking down the sidewalk.

This may not be an exhaustive list of the RCWs applicable to your question, but I think they answer your question.

The OP's question was about a motorcycle. Motorcycle's are vehicles under the relevant RCW section.

So, it is possible the mag was empty. But if the mag had rounds in it, that would be illegal (loaded AR15 on motorcycle).

And yes, a loaded handgun OC/drop-leg on a motorcycle requires a CPL.

The only section that might potentially cover OC of an AR-15 when walking is 9.41.270, and there's a lot of gray there.
Depends on where you are, who is there, how it is held etc.

Cops should stop the bozo and tell him not to walk in the street before he gets hit by a car or causes a collision.

I know the question was about a vehicle, which is why I quoted material from the link you posted, but looking back at the way I wrote it I can see how you might think I missed the OP's question.

I agree that 9.41.270 creates a gray area:

...but I think you could make a pretty strong case that absent evidence of intimidation, harassment, or threats, someone's irrational alarm for their own safety at the mere sight of your lawfully-carried firearm is NOT grounds for your arrest and prosecution under this section. But crazier things have happened, so the possibility certainly exists.

...
Leaving aside the question of why the hell you'd OC an unloaded rifle with empty mag inserted...

Keeps dirt and shit from flying up into the empty magwell. It is a motorcycle he's carrying on you know. Not the inside of an air conditioned vehicle with cabin air filter, etc.

FIFY