AN ACT Relating to state preemption of local firearms laws; amending RCW 9.41.290, 9.41.070, and 9.41.090; adding new sections to chapter 9.41 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 12, chapter 232, Laws of 1983 and RCW 9.41.290 are each amended to read as follows:

The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to firearms or parts thereof, including ammunition and reloader components. Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances shall have the same or lesser penalty as provided for by state law. Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW to read as follows:

(1) It is unlawful for any person to enter the following places when he or she knowingly possesses or knowingly has under his or her control a firearm:

(a) The restricted access areas of a jail, or of a law enforcement facility, or any place used for the confinement of a person (i) arrested for, charged with, or convicted of an offense, (ii) charged with being or adjudicated to be a juvenile offender as defined in RCW 13.40.020, (iii) held for extradition or as a material witness, or (iv) otherwise confined pursuant to an order of a court, except an order under chapter 13.32A or 13.34 RCW. Restricted access areas do not include common areas of egress or ingress open to the general public;

(b) A courtroom or judge's chamber, while either is being used for any judicial proceeding. This does not include common areas of egress and ingress of the courthouse;

(c) The restricted access areas of a public mental health facility certified by the department of social and health services for inpatient hospital care and state institutions for the care of the mentally ill, excluding those facilities solely for evaluation and treatment. Restricted access areas do not include common areas of egress and ingress open to the general public; or

(d) That portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age.

(2) Notwithstanding RCW 9.41.290, cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and ordinances:

(a) Restricting the discharge of firearms in any portion of their respective jurisdictions where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property will be jeopardized. Such laws and ordinances shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by Article I, section 24 of the state Constitution to bear arms in defense of self or others; and

(b) Restricting the possession of firearms in any stadium or convention center, operated by a city, town, county, or other municipality, except that such restrictions shall not apply to:

(i) Any firearm in the possession of a person licensed under RCW 9.41.070; or

(ii) Any showing, demonstration, or lecture involving the exhibition of firearms.

(3) The perimeter of the premises of any specific location covered by subsection (1) of this section shall be posted at reasonable intervals to alert the public as to the existence of any law restricting the possession of firearms on the premises.

(4) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

(a) A person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments, while engaged in official duties;

(b) Law enforcement personnel; or

(5) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to a person licensed pursuant to RCW 9.41.070 who, upon entering the place or facility, directly and promptly proceeds to the administrator of the facility or the administrator's designee and obtains written permission to possess the firearm while on the premises or checks his or her firearm. The person may reclaim the firearms upon leaving but must immediately and directly depart from the place or facility.

(6) Subsection (1)(b) of this section does not apply to a judge or court employee or to any person licensed under RCW 9.41.070 who, before entering the restricted area, directly and promptly proceeds to the court administrator or the administrator's designee and obtains written permission to possess the firearm.

(7) Subsection (1)(c) of this section does not apply to any administrator or employee of the facility or to any person who, upon entering the place or facility, directly and promptly proceeds to the administrator of the facility or the administrator's designee and obtains written permission to possess the firearm while on the premises.

(8) Subsection (1)(d) of this section does not apply to the proprietor of the premises or his or her employees while engaged in their employment.

(9) Any person violating subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sec. 3. Section 7, chapter 172, Laws of 1935 as last amended by section 3, chapter 232, Laws of 1983 and RCW 9.41.070 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The judge of a court of record, the chief of police of a municipality, or the sheriff of a county, shall within thirty days after the filing of an application of any person issue a license to such person to carry a pistol concealed on his person within this state for four years from date of issue, for the purposes of protection or while engaged in business, sport or while traveling. However, if the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or Washington state identification card or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive ninety days, the issuing authority shall have up to sixty days after the filing of the application to issue a license. Such citizen's constitutional right to bear arms shall not be denied to him, unless he:

(a) Is ineligible to own a pistol under the provisions of RCW 9.41.040; or

(b) Is under twenty-one years of age; or

(d) Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a crime of violence; or

(e) Has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest from any court of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor.

The license shall be revoked immediately upon conviction of a crime which makes such a person ineligible to own a pistol or upon the third conviction for a violation of this chapter within five calendar years. The license shall be in triplicate, in form to be prescribed by the department of licensing, and shall bear the name, address, and description, fingerprints and signature of the licensee, and the licensee's driver's license number or state identification card number if used for identification in applying for the license. The license application shall contain a warning substantially as follows:

CAUTION: Although state and local laws do not differ, federal law and state law on the possession of firearms differ. If you are prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, you may be prosecuted in federal court. A state permit is not a defense to a federal prosecution.

!ixThe license application shall contain a description of the major differences between state and federal law and an explanation of the fact that local laws and ordinances on firearms are preempted by state law and must be consistent with state law.

The original thereof shall be delivered to the licensee, the duplicate shall within seven days be sent by registered mail to the director of licensing and the triplicate shall be preserved for six years, by the authority issuing said license.

(2) The fee for the original issuance of a four-year license shall be twenty dollars: PROVIDED, That no other additional charges by any branch or unit of government shall be borne by the applicant for the issuance of the license: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the fee shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Four dollars shall be paid to the state general fund;

(b) Four dollars shall be paid to the agency taking the fingerprints of the person licensed; and

(3) The fee for the renewal of such license shall be twelve dollars: PROVIDED, That no other additional charges by any branch or unit of government shall be borne by the applicant for the renewal of the license: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the fee shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Four dollars shall be paid to the state general fund; and

(b) Eight dollars shall be paid to the issuing authority for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.

(4) A licensee may renew a license if the licensee applies for renewal within ninety days before or after the expiration date of the license. A license so renewed shall take effect on the expiration date of the prior license. A licensee renewing after the expiration date of the license must pay a late renewal penalty of ten dollars in addition to the renewal fee specified in subsection (3) of this section. The fee shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Three dollars shall be deposited in the state game fund and used exclusively for the printing and distribution of a pamphlet on the legal limits of the use of firearms, firearms safety, and the preemptive nature of state law. The pamphlet shall be given to each applicant for a license; and

(b) Seven dollars shall be paid to the issuing authority for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.

(5) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (1) through (4) of this section, the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county of the applicant's residence may issue a temporary emergency license for good cause pending review under subsection (1) of this section.

(6) A political subdivision of the state shall not modify the requirements of this section or chapter, nor may a political subdivision ask the applicant to voluntarily submit any information not required by this section. A civil suit may be brought to enjoin a wrongful refusal to issue a license or a wrongful modification of the requirements of this section or chapter. The civil suit may be brought in the county in which the application was made or in Thurston county at the discretion of the petitioner. ((~~The prevailing party is entitled to reasonable costs, including attorneys' fees.~~)) Any person who prevails against a public agency in any action in the courts for a violation of this chapter shall be awarded costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with such legal action.

Sec. 4. Section 9, chapter 172, Laws of 1935 as last amended by section 4, chapter 232, Laws of 1983 and RCW 9.41.090 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, no commercial seller shall deliver a pistol to the purchaser thereof until:

(a) The purchaser produces a valid concealed pistol license and the commercial seller has recorded the purchaser's name, license number, and issuing agency, such record to be made in ((~~duplicate~~)) triplicate and processed as provided in subsection (4) of this section; or

(b) The seller is notified in writing by the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county that the purchaser meets the requirements of RCW 9.41.040 and that the application to purchase is granted; or

(c) Five consecutive days including Saturday, Sunday and holidays have elapsed from the time of receipt of the application for the purchase thereof as provided herein by the chief of police or sheriff designated in subsection (4) of this section, and, when delivered, said pistol shall be securely wrapped and shall be unloaded. However, if the purchaser does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state identification card or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive ninety days, the waiting period under this subsection (1)(c) shall be up to sixty days.

(2) In any case under subsection (1)(c) of this section where the applicant has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest from any court of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor, the seller shall hold the delivery of the pistol until the warrant for arrest is served and satisfied by appropriate court appearance. The local jurisdiction for purposes of the sale shall confirm the existence of outstanding warrants within seventy-two hours after notification of the application to purchase a pistol is received. The local jurisdiction shall also immediately confirm the satisfaction of the warrant on request of the seller so that the hold may be released if the warrant was for a crime other than a crime of violence.

(3) In any case where the chief or sheriff of the local jurisdiction has reasonable grounds based on the following circumstances: (a) Open criminal charges, (b) pending criminal proceedings, (c) pending commitment proceedings, (d) an outstanding warrant for a crime of violence, or (e) an arrest for a crime of violence if the records of disposition have not yet been reported or entered sufficiently to determine eligibility to purchase a pistol, the local jurisdiction may hold the sale and delivery of the pistol beyond five days up to thirty days in order to confirm existing records in this state or elsewhere. After thirty days, the hold will be lifted unless an extension of the thirty days is approved by a local district court or municipal court for good cause shown. An applicant shall be notified of each hold placed on the sale by local law enforcement and of any application to the court for additional hold period to confirm records or confirm the identity of the applicant.

(4) At the time of applying for the purchase of a pistol, the purchaser shall sign in ((~~duplicate~~)) triplicate and deliver to the seller an application containing his or her full name, address, ((~~occupation,~~)) place of birth, and the date and hour of the application; the applicant's driver's license number or state identification card number; and a description of the weapon including, the make, model, caliber and manufacturer's number; and a statement that the purchaser is eligible to own a pistol under RCW 9.41.040. The application shall contain a warning substantially as follows:

CAUTION: Although state and local laws do not differ, federal law and state law on the possession of firearms differ. If you are prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, you may be prosecuted in federal court. State permission to purchase a firearm is not a defense to a federal prosecution.

!ixThe purchaser shall be given a copy of the department of game pamphlet on the legal limits of the use of firearms, firearms safety, and the fact that local laws and ordinances on firearms are preempted by state law and must be consistent with state law.

The seller shall, by the end of the business day, sign and attach his or her address and deliver the original of the application and such other documentation as required under subsection (1) of this section to the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county of which the seller is a resident. The seller shall deliver the pistol to the purchaser following the period of time specified in this section unless the seller is notified in writing by the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county, whichever is applicable, denying the purchaser's application to purchase and the grounds thereof. The application shall not be denied unless the purchaser fails to meet the requirements specified in RCW 9.41.040. The chief of police of the municipality or the county sheriff shall maintain a file containing the original of the application to purchase a pistol.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW to read as follows:

After a public hearing, the department of game shall publish a pamphlet on firearms safety and the legal limits of the use of firearms. The pamphlet shall include current information on firearms laws and regulations and state preemption of local firearms laws. This pamphlet may be used in the department's hunter safety education program and shall be provided to the department of licensing for distribution to firearms dealers and persons authorized to issue concealed pistol licenses. The department of game shall reimburse the department of licensing for costs associated with distribution of the pamphlet.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.