BILL REQ. #:  S-2197.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to the sale and use of projectile stun guns; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The projectile stun gun study committee is established to review the sale and use of projectile stun guns within Washington state. The committee shall be composed of:
     (a) Two senators, one from each caucus in the senate;
     (b) Two representatives, one from each caucus in the house of representatives;
     (c) One police chief appointed by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
     (d) One elected sheriff appointed by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
     (e) One representative appointed by the association of Washington cities;
     (f) One representative appointed by the Washington state association of counties; and
     (g) One representative appointed by the department of health.
     (2) The committee shall evaluate public safety issues created by projectile stun guns and make recommendations regarding whether they should be regulated and, if so, how. Specifically, the committee shall review:
     (a) Public safety issues related to projectile stun guns when used by the general public;
     (b) Ownership limitations, such as age and criminal record restrictions;
     (c) The practicality of requiring criminal background checks prior to allowing the purchase of a projectile stun gun and who would perform such criminal background checks;
     (d) Manufacturing requirements, such as voltage limits and whether to require that projectile stun guns disperse traceable coded materials;
     (e) What use and possession limitations should be placed on projectile stun guns;
     (f) Whether mandatory training should be required to purchase a projectile stun gun;
     (g) What penalties shall be assessed to individuals that unlawfully sell, possess, or use projectile stun guns;
     (h) The feelings of the general public about the use of projectile stun guns as an alternative to traditional firearms as means of self-protection; and
     (i) Any other issue the committee finds relevant to the regulation of projectile stun guns in Washington.
     (3) Staff support shall be provided by senate committee services and the office of program research.
     (4) Legislative members of the study committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (5) A committee report, containing findings and proposed legislation, if any, shall be delivered to the full legislature, not later than December 31, 2005.