(a) No person shall carry or possess in any vehicle or snowmobile any firearm, other than a pistol or revolver, while such firearm contains in the barrel, chamber or magazine any loaded shell or cartridge capable of being discharged or, if such firearm is a muzzleloader, 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.