S-0858.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5312

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Senators Rasmussen, Oke, Winsley, Haugen and Palmer

Read first time 01/18/95.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Regulating firearm possession by children.

    AN ACT Relating to children possessing firearms; amending RCW 9.41.042; and adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 9.41.042 and 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 403 are each amended to read as follows:

    RCW 9.41.040(1)(e) shall not apply to any person under the age of eighteen years who is:

    (1) In attendance at a hunter's safety course or a firearms safety course;

    (2) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which such range is located or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited;

    (3) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group that uses firearms as a part of the performance;

    (4) At least ten years of age and is hunting or trapping under a valid license issued to the person under Title 77 RCW, and if the person is under fourteen years of age is under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult approved for that purpose by the parent or guardian;

    (5) In an area where the discharge of a firearm is permitted, is not trespassing, and the person either:  (a) Is at least fourteen years of age, has been issued a hunter safety certificate, and is using a lawful firearm other than a pistol; or (b) is under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult approved for the purpose by the parent or guardian;

    (6) Traveling with any unloaded firearm in the person's possession to or from any activity described in subsection (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section;

    (7) On real property under the control of his or her parent, other relative, or legal guardian and who has the permission of the parent or legal guardian to possess a firearm;

    (8) At his or her residence and who, with the permission of his or her parent or legal guardian, possesses a firearm for the purpose of exercising the rights specified in RCW 9A.16.020(3); or

    (9) Is a member of the armed forces of the United States, national guard, or organized reserves, when on duty.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.32 RCW to read as follows:

    The director shall not issue to a person under ten years of age a hunting license, a sport recreational license, a combination hunting and fishing license, or any other license that allows the holder to hunt in this state.

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