HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2271

BYRepresentatives Kremen, Scott, Braddock, Spanel and K. Wilson 

Changing eligibility requirements for concealed weapon permits.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Belcher, Dellwo, Inslee, Locke, Moyer, Schmidt, Scott and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (6)

      Signed by Representatives Padden, Ranking Republican Member; Forner, Hargrove, H. Myers, D. Sommers and Tate.

House Staff:Rob Lopez (786-7591)

                  Bill Perry (786-7123)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 7, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Washington law and federal law on the possession of firearms differ.  Washington law requires that applications for a permit to carry a concealed weapon contain a warning that individuals prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm may be subject to federal prosecution.  But Washington law does not prohibit the issuance of a concealed weapon permit to individuals ineligible to possess a firearm under federal law.

SUMMARY:

A permit to carry a concealed weapon will not be issued to an individual ineligible to possess a weapon under federal law.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Ted Cowan, King County Outdoor Sports Council; Ted Fix; Dennis Cook, Washington Arms Collectors; and Al Woodbridge, National Firearms Act Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      This is a states' rights issue.  Washington should keep its permit-issuing prerogatives open, especially since federal fun law could become more prohibitive in the future.  Federal law forbids all convicted felons from owning weapons, even when the felon's offense was non-violent or is no longer a felony.  Laws such as this are a further infringement on the right to keep and bear arms.