BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to weapons on school premises; amending RCW 9.41.280 and 9.41.098; and prescribing penalties.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 9.41.280 and 1989 c 219 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) It is unlawful for an elementary or secondary school student under the age of twenty-one knowingly to carry onto public or private elementary or secondary school premises:

(a) Any firearm; or

(b) Any dangerous weapon as defined in RCW 9.41.250; or

(c) Any device commonly known as "nun-chu-ka sticks", consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means; or

(d) Any device, commonly known as "throwing stars", which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect; or

(e) Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas.

(2)(a) Any such student violating subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

((~~Any violation of subsection (1) of this section constitutes grounds for expulsion.~~)) (b) The board of directors of each school district shall adopt procedures, including a hearing, for the expulsion for at least thirty days of any student violating subsection (1) of this section. The school shall notify the student's parents or guardian and the local law enforcement agency of the violation. Any school official who fails to comply with this subsection (2)(b) is guilty of a misdemeanor.

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

(a) Any student of a private military academy; or

(b) Any student engaged in military activities, sponsored by the federal or state governments while engaged in official duties; or

(c) Any student who is attending a convention or firearms safety course authorized by school authorities in which the firearms of collectors or instructors are handled or displayed; or

(d) Any student who possesses nun-chu-ka sticks, throwing stars, or other dangerous weapons to be used in martial arts classes conducted on the school premises; or

(e) Any student while the student is participating in a firearms or air gun competition approved by the school or school district.

Sec. 2. RCW 9.41.098 and 1989 c 222 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The superior courts and the courts of limited jurisdiction of the state may order forfeiture of a firearm which is proven to be:

(a) Found concealed on a person not authorized by RCW 9.41.060 or 9.41.070 to carry a concealed pistol: PROVIDED, That it is an absolute defense to forfeiture if the person possessed a valid Washington concealed pistol license within the preceding two years and has not become ineligible for a concealed pistol license in the interim. Before the firearm may be returned, the person must pay the past due renewal fee and the current renewal fee;

(b) Commercially sold to any person without an application as required by RCW 9.41.090;

(c) Found in the possession or under the control of a person at the time the person committed or was arrested for committing a crime of violence or a crime in which a firearm was used or displayed or a felony violation of the uniform controlled substances act, chapter 69.50 RCW;

(d) Found concealed on a person who is in any place in which a concealed pistol license is required, and who is under the influence of any drug or under the influence of intoxicating liquor, having 0.10 grams or more of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath or 0.10 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, as shown by analysis of the person's breath, blood, or other bodily substance;

(e) Found in the possession of a person prohibited from possessing the firearm under RCW 9.41.040;

(f) Found in the possession of a person free on bail or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a crime of violence or a crime in which a firearm was used or displayed, except that violations of Title 77 RCW shall not result in forfeiture under this section;

(g) Found in the possession of a person found to have been mentally incompetent while in possession of a firearm when apprehended or who is thereafter committed pursuant to chapter 10.77 or 71.05 RCW;

(h) Known to have been used or displayed by a person in the violation of a proper written order of a court of general jurisdiction; ((or))

(i) Known to have been used in the commission of a crime of violence or a crime in which a firearm was used or displayed or a felony violation of the uniformed controlled substances act, chapter 69.50 RCW; or

(j) Found in the possession of a person at the time the person committed a violation of RCW 9.41.280(1).

(2) Upon order of forfeiture, the court in its discretion shall order destruction of any firearm that is illegal for any person to possess. All firearms legal for citizen possession that are judicially forfeited or forfeited due to failure to make a claim under RCW 63.32.010, 63.40.010, or 63.35.020 shall be submitted for auction to commercial sellers once a year if the submitting agency has accumulated at least ten firearms authorized for sale. Law enforcement agencies may conduct joint auctions for the purpose of maximizing efficiency. A maximum of ten percent of such firearms may be retained for use by local law enforcement agencies and the Washington state patrol. Before submission for auction, a court may temporarily retain forfeited firearms if needed for evidence. The proceeds from any sale shall be divided as follows: The local jurisdiction and the Washington state patrol shall retain its costs, including actual costs of storage and sale, and shall forward the remainder to the state department of wildlife for use in its firearms training program pursuant to RCW 77.32.155.

If a firearm is delivered to a law enforcement agency and the agency no longer requires use of the firearm, the agency shall dispose of the firearm by auction as provided by this subsection. The public auctioning agency shall, as a minimum, maintain a record of all forfeited firearms by manufacturer, model, caliber, serial number, date and circumstances of forfeiture, and final disposition. The records shall be open to public inspection and copying.

(3) The court shall order the firearm returned to the owner upon a showing that there is no probable cause to believe a violation of subsection (1) of this section existed or the firearm was stolen from the owner or the owner neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission involving the firearm which resulted in its forfeiture.

(4) A law enforcement officer of the state or of any county or municipality may confiscate a firearm found to be in the possession of a person under circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section. After confiscation, the firearm shall not be surrendered except: (a) To the prosecuting attorney for use in subsequent legal proceedings; (b) for disposition according to an order of a court having jurisdiction as provided in subsection (1) of this section; or (c) to the owner if the proceedings are dismissed or as directed in subsection (3) of this section.