HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2310

                       As Passed House

                      February 13, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the possession of weapons in court facilities.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting possession of weapons in court facilities.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Franklin, Ludwig, Orr, Wang, Ferguson and Anderson).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, February 4, 1992, DPS;

Passed House, February 13, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 18 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; Inslee; Locke; Mielke; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; D. Sommers; Tate; Vance; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:  State law prohibits possession of a firearm in a courtroom or judge's chamber while either is being used for a judicial proceeding.

The prohibition does not extend to other dangerous weapons.  Neither does it extend to possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons in the rest of a courthouse, nor in a courtroom or judge's chamber when not being used for a judicial proceeding.

Summary of Bill:  It is a misdemeanor to enter or attempt to enter a judge's chamber or courtroom while in possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon.

Exceptions are made for persons engaged in official military duties, and law enforcement and security personnel engaged in official duties.

A law enforcement officer may confiscate a weapon where there is reasonable cause to believe the weapon was possessed in violation of the act.  A court may order forfeiture of a weapon proven to be possessed in violation of the act.

Notice of the provisions of the act must be conspicuously posted at each entrance to the building, courtroom, and judge's chamber.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (Original Bill):  This is not a weapons issue; it is a safety issue.  Courthouse security is a serious problem that affects not only judges but litigants and other people as well.  Problems spill out of the courtroom and into the hallway.  A "weapon-free zone" is needed.  The definition of "dangerous weapon" is insufficiently inclusive.

Testimony Against:  (Original Bill):  The definition of "dangerous weapon" is overly inclusive.  A concealed weapon permit would no longer be good in a courthouse.  The prohibition against firearms or other dangerous weapons should not be extended to an entire court facility because such facilities serve a variety of functions such as containing a cafeteria with knives and forks, or providing an office at which to renew concealed weapons permits.

Witnesses:  Representative Rosa Franklin, prime sponsor (supports); Sharon Armstrong, King County Superior Court Judge (supports); Nile Aubrey, Pierce County Superior Court Judge (supports); Ted Kolbaba, Superior Court Judges Association (supports); Brian D. Pedersen, Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office (supports); Caroline Davis, Seattle-King County Bar Association (supports); Ted Cowan, Washington State Rifle and Pistol Association (opposes); and John Hosford, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (opposes).