[goval]

A weapon is considered loaded if a magazine, with rounds, is inserted; even though a round is not chambered. (For the dummies, this happens when you insert the magazine and "rack" a round manually)
Here in CA you can carry a handgun, but the magazine cannot be "loaded" in the weapon. You can carry a handgun in a holster, on your belt, anywhere you go, as long as the magazine is not inserted. (on a magazine pouch or in your pocket)
This is coming from the CA police officers that train us during our field training.

So you can carry your weapon inside your car, but make sure the magazine (loaded or not) is not inserted. If you're not rly good at inserting a magazine and shooting in a few seconds, I'd recommend you practice it with an EMPTY magazine. Most of us in the field carry our handguns with a chambered round, but the safety either on or the hammer de-****ed and re-set. (Big boy rules). This is how it should be carried at all times... too bad some people can't rly handle weapons and end up shooting themselves... so rules such as this (carrying a weapon without a magazine inserted) is implemented. Capish?