VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1408

                   April 1, 1998

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 1 of Engrossed House Bill No. 1408 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the carrying of a concealed pistol by persons from another state;"

     Section 1 of EHB 1408 would allow a non-resident to bring a concealed handgun into the state as long as he or she has a license from some other state.  A number of states issue licenses without the strict standards and background checks Washington law requires, and section 1 would force our law enforcement agencies to honor all those permits.  In addition, the practical effect of section 1 would be to require prosecutors to check with all 50 states in order to convict a person of violating our law against carrying a concealed handgun without a license.  This is tantamount to repeal of the concealed handgun license law. 

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 1 of Engrossed House Bill No. 1408.

     With the exception of section 1, Engrossed House Bill No. 1408 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor