Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee

HB 1934

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

It is generally unlawful for a person to carry a pistol concealed on his or her person, except in the person's abode or fixed place of business, unless the person has a valid concealed pistol license (CPL). Carrying a concealed pistol without having been issued a CPL is a misdemeanor offense. Failure to carry a CPL in one's immediate possession while carrying a concealed pistol is a civil infraction.

In order to obtain a CPL, a person must apply with the local law enforcement agency and undergo a fingerprint-based background check. A CPL must be issued if the applicant is not ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law and if the applicant meets other eligibility requirements. A copy of the CPL must be delivered to the Department of Licensing, which maintains records of CPLs in an electronic database.

A CPL is valid for a period of five years. The fee for an original CPL is $36 plus additional charges imposed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that are passed on to the applicant. The fee is distributed as follows: $15 to the State General Fund; $4 to the agency taking the fingerprints of the applicant; $14 to the license-issuing authority; $2.16 to the Firearms Range Account; and $0.84 to the CPL Renewal Notification Account.

A CPL holder may renew the license by applying for renewal within 90 days before or after expiration of the license. The renewal takes effect on the expiration date of the previous license. The renewal fee is $32, and if the licensee renews after the expiration date, an additional $10 late renewal penalty applies. The $32 renewal fee is distributed as follows: $15 to the State General Fund; $14 to the license-issuing authority; $2.16 to the Firearms Range Account; and $0.84 to the CPL Renewal Notification Account.

The $10 penalty for late renewal does not apply to a member of the Armed Forces who is serving outside the state when his or her CPL expires and who applies for renewal within 90 days of returning to the state. The person must provide to the issuing authority, at the time of renewal, a copy of the original order of deployment or assignment for out-of-state military service and a copy of the person's discharge, or order of deployment or assignment back to this state.

Summary of Bill:

Local law enforcement agencies must implement a procedure for the renewal of concealed pistol licenses (CPLs) through a mail application process, and may develop an online application process, for members of the Armed Forces who are unable to renew their CPLs because of the their assignment, reassignment, or deployment for out-of-state military service.

A member of the Armed Forces applying for a mail or online license renewal must:

provide a copy of the person's original order designating the specific period of assignment, reassignment, or deployment for out-of-state military service;
apply for renewal within 90 days before or after the expiration date of the license; and
pay the renewal licensing fee, and if applicable, the late renewal penalty.

A license renewed under this process takes effect on the expiration date of the prior license and is valid for a period of one year.