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                         SENATE BILL 5928

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Constantine, Winsley, Costa and Kohl‑Welles; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife

Read first time 02/08/2001.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines.

Requiring supervision of young children when hunting with a firearm.

    AN ACT Relating to hunting safety for children; and amending RCW 9.41.042.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 9.41.042 and 1999 c 143 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    RCW 9.41.040(1)(b)(iii) 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) 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 the person must be under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult approved for the 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.

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