H-0595.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1900
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Scott, Cole, Roland, Ludwig, Forner, Wineberry, Locke, Appelwick, H. Myers, Rasmussen, Wang, Wynne and Anderson.
Read first time February 14, 1991. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to firearm control; adding new sections to chapter 9.41 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Except as provided in this section, no person shall store or leave a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm accompanied by ammunition, in any location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that an unsupervised child is likely to gain access.
(2) This section shall not apply to:
(a) A firearm which has been secured with a trigger lock or other similar device which prevents the firearm from discharging;
(b) A child's access to firearms which is supervised by an adult;
(c) A child's access to firearms which was obtained as a result of an unlawful entry; or
(d) Law enforcement officers while engaged in their official duties.
(3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall upon conviction be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
(4) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Ammunition" means any ammunition cartridge, shell, or other device containing explosive or incendiary material designed and intended for use in any firearm.
(b) "Child" means any person under the age of sixteen years.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW to read as follows:
(1) When selling any firearm, licensed firearms dealers shall offer to sell or give the purchaser a trigger-locking device.
(2) At every purchase counter in every store, shop, or sales outlet, licensed firearms dealers shall conspicuously post the following warning in block letters not less than one inch in height: "IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE AN UNLOCKED FIREARM WHERE CHILDREN CAN OBTAIN ACCESS."
(3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall upon conviction be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
(4) For the purposes of this section, "trigger-locking device" means a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or similar locking device which, when the device is locked on, around, or in the firearm, renders the firearm incapable of firing.