FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1589

C 231 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning requirements for the correctional personnel and community corrections officer exemption from restrictions on carrying firearms.

Sponsors: Representatives Chapman, Rude, Blake, Lovick, Goodman, Griffey, Irwin, Volz, Mead, Eslick, Sells, Ryu, Pollet, Stonier, Peterson, Fey, Senn, Gregerson, Riccelli, Lekanoff, Appleton, Steele, Tharinger and Leavitt.

House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Background:

It is generally unlawful for a person to carry a concealed pistol in Washington unless the person has a valid concealed pistol license. There are also restrictions on the carrying of pistols in vehicles. A person may not carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle unless the person has a concealed pistol license and either the pistol is on the person, the person is within the vehicle at all times the pistol is present, or the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view. An unloaded pistol kept in a vehicle must be locked within the vehicle and concealed from view.

A number of exemptions are provided, including: marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies; other law enforcement officers of this state or another state, as well as retired Washington law enforcement officers; federal officers and military members; persons engaged in various firearms manufacturing or dealing jobs; and persons engaged in various activities such as sport shooting or outdoor recreation.

Also exempted are correctional personnel and community corrections officers who have completed government-sponsored law enforcement firearms training. The exemption applies only if the correctional employee or community corrections officer has had a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System or an equivalent background check within the past five years. Correctional personnel and community corrections officers seeking this waiver are required to pay for any background check that is needed in order to exercise the waiver.

Summary:

The correctional personnel and community correction officer exemption from restrictions on the carrying of concealed pistols and pistols in vehicles is modified to eliminate the requirement that the background check be conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. In addition, the requirement that correctional personnel and community corrections officers must pay for any background check needed to exercise the waiver is eliminated.

Votes on Final Passage: