BILL REQ. #:  H-0446.2 

Read first time 01/24/2003.   Referred to Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to exempting qualified individuals from mandatory firearms training courses; and amending RCW 77.32.155.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 77.32.155 and 1998 c 191 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) When purchasing any hunting license, persons under the age of eighteen shall present certification of completion of a course of instruction of at least ten hours in the safe handling of firearms, safety, conservation, and sportsmanship. Beginning January 1, 1995, all persons purchasing any hunting license for the first time, if born after January 1, 1972, shall present such certification.
     (2) The director may establish a program for training persons in the safe handling of firearms, conservation, and sportsmanship and may cooperate with the National Rifle Association, organized sportsmen's groups, or other public or private organizations.
     (3) The director shall prescribe the type of instruction and the qualifications of the instructors and the National Rifle Association, organized sportsmen's groups, or other public or private organizations may provide the course of instruction in accordance with the type of instruction and the qualifications of the instructors prescribed by the director.
     (4) Upon successful completion of the course, a trainee shall receive a hunter education certificate signed by an authorized instructor. The certificate is evidence of compliance with this section.
     (5) The director may accept certificates from other states that persons have successfully completed firearm safety, hunter education, or similar courses as evidence of compliance with this section.
     (6) This section does not apply to persons age eighteen and over who are:
     (a) Marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, or other law enforcement officers of this state or another state, whether active or retired;
     (b) Members of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard or organized reserves, whether active or retired;
     (c) Officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a firearm;
     (d) Engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms;
     (e) Regularly enrolled members of an organization duly authorized to purchase or receive firearms from the United States or from this state;
     (f) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of target shooting; or
     (g) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of modern and antique firearm collecting.