SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1202

                             AS OF MARCH 19, 1991

Brief Description:  Prohibiting firearms in state capitol buildings.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Riley, Ludwig, Winsley, Forner, Bray, Wood, Jones, R. Johnson, Jacobsen, Scott, Neher, Schmidt, Sheldon, Phillips, Orr, Basich, Leonard and Anderson; by request of Washington State Patrol).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Jon Carlson (786‑7459)

Hearing Dates:March 25, 1991

BACKGROUND:

State law prohibits possession of firearms in certain places.  Restricted areas include:  certain portions of jails; courtrooms and judges' chambers when they are being used for judicial proceedings; certain areas of public mental health facilities; and portions of liquor-selling establishments that are off-limits to persons under the age of 21.  In addition, local jurisdictions may identify by ordinance certain other locations where firearms are prohibited.  This local option extends to municipally operated stadiums and convention centers.

Various exceptions are provided to these prohibitions.  For instance, a person with a valid concealed pistol permit may carry a pistol into a restricted area of a jail if the person has notified the jail administrator and gotten written permission to carry the pistol.

An administrative regulation generally prohibits all dangerous weapons, including firearms, from the entire capitol campus.  This administrative rule has no criminal penalties and lacks explicit statutory underpinning.

SUMMARY:

Firearms are generally banned in certain buildings on the west state capitol campus.  Buildings covered by the ban are:  Legislative Building; John L. O'Brien Building; John A. Cherberg Building; Temple of Justice; General Administration Building; Governor's Mansion; Insurance Building; State Library; Institutions Building; and the Public Information Building.

The State Patrol is to post all affected buildings with a notice explaining who may and who may not carry a firearm into the building.

Exceptions to the prohibition are provided for law enforcement personnel, for persons with concealed pistol permits who notify the State Patrol, and for persons possessing firearms for exhibition purposes.

A violation of the prohibition is a misdemeanor.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested