HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1845

BYRepresentatives Anderson, Brough, Wineberry, Winsley, Moyer, H. Sommers and Brekke

Revoking concealed pistol licenses of persons carrying them while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; Chandler, Hankins, O'Brien, Peery and Taylor.

House Staff:Ken Conte (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

A person is required to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon outside the person's home or place of business.  This requirement does not apply to law enforcement officers, members of the armed services, members of gun or target shooting clubs on their way to a meeting, or individual hunters on a fishing, camping, or hunting trip.

A person can be denied a license to carry a concealed pistol based on age, criminal status or mental status.  None of these conditions makes a person permanently ineligible to obtain a license.

A firearm can be confiscated by order of a court in a variety of circumstances.  One example is if a person possessing a concealed pistol is (1) legally under the influence of drugs or alcohol and (2) in a place where a concealed pistol license is required.

Under two instances a pistol license can be immediately revoked: When a person commits a crime which makes that person ineligible for a license, or after a third violation of the license laws in a five-year period.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A person who has had a firearm confiscated by order of a court because he or she was found legally under the influence of drugs or alcohol while in possession of a concealed pistol, and was in a place where a concealed pistol license is required, cannot obtain a concealed pistol license for five years.  Any existing concealed pistol license is immediately revoked.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Rather than becoming permanently ineligible to obtain a concealed pistol license, a person who has had a firearm confiscated due to being found under the influence of drugs or alcohol becomes ineligible to obtain a license for a period of five years.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Calvin Anderson, prime sponsor; George Benson, Seattle City Council; Steve Kendall, Washington Citizens for Rational Handgun Controls; and Jim Rabie, Washington State Law Enforcement Association and Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The bill incorporates a common sense approach and recognizes that someone carrying a firearm must exercise judgment and responsibility.  If we revoke drivers' licenses for alcohol or drug use, we should also revoke handgun licenses; to do so could avoid needless loss of life and potential injury.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.