2SHB 1052 -
By Committee on Judiciary
ADOPTED 04/07/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1 RCW 9.41.010 and 2001 c 300 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in
this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Firearm" means a weapon or device from which a projectile or
projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder.
(2) "Pistol" means any firearm with a barrel less than sixteen
inches in length, or is designed to be held and fired by the use of a
single hand.
(3) "Rifle" means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade,
and intended to be fired from the shoulder and designed or redesigned,
made or remade, and intended to use the energy of the explosive in a
fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a
rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger.
(4) "Short-barreled rifle" means a rifle having one or more barrels
less than sixteen inches in length and any weapon made from a rifle by
any means of modification if such modified weapon has an overall length
of less than twenty-six inches.
(5) "Shotgun" means a weapon with one or more barrels, designed or
redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder
and designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to use the
energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a
smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for
each single pull of the trigger.
(6) "Short-barreled shotgun" means a shotgun having one or more
barrels less than eighteen inches in length and any weapon made from a
shotgun by any means of modification if such modified weapon has an
overall length of less than twenty-six inches.
(7) "Machine gun" means any firearm known as a machine gun,
mechanical rifle, submachine gun, or any other mechanism or instrument
not requiring that the trigger be pressed for each shot and having a
reservoir clip, disc, drum, belt, or other separable mechanical device
for storing, carrying, or supplying ammunition which can be loaded into
the firearm, mechanism, or instrument, and fired therefrom at the rate
of five or more shots per second.
(8) "Antique firearm" means a firearm or replica of a firearm not
designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire
ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898,
including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of
ignition system and also any firearm using fixed ammunition
manufactured in or before 1898, for which ammunition is no longer
manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the
ordinary channels of commercial trade.
(9) "Loaded" means:
(a) There is a cartridge in the chamber of the firearm;
(b) Cartridges are in a clip that is locked in place in the
firearm;
(c) There is a cartridge in the cylinder of the firearm, if the
firearm is a revolver;
(d) There is a cartridge in the tube or magazine that is inserted
in the action; or
(e) There is a ball in the barrel and the firearm is capped or
primed if the firearm is a muzzle loader.
(10) "Dealer" means a person engaged in the business of selling
firearms at wholesale or retail who has, or is required to have, a
federal firearms license under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 923(a). A person who
does not have, and is not required to have, a federal firearms license
under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 923(a), is not a dealer if that person makes only
occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the
enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or sells all or
part of his or her personal collection of firearms.
(11) "Crime of violence" means:
(a) Any of the following felonies, as now existing or hereafter
amended: Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or an
attempt to commit a class A felony, criminal solicitation of or
criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony, manslaughter in the
first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, indecent liberties if
committed by forcible compulsion, kidnapping in the second degree,
arson in the second degree, assault in the second degree, assault of a
child in the second degree, extortion in the first degree, burglary in
the second degree, residential burglary, and robbery in the second
degree;
(b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior
to June 6, 1996, which is comparable to a felony classified as a crime
of violence in (a) of this subsection; and
(c) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense
comparable to a felony classified as a crime of violence under (a) or
(b) of this subsection.
(12) "Serious offense" means any of the following felonies or a
felony attempt to commit any of the following felonies, as now existing
or hereafter amended:
(a) Any crime of violence;
(b) Any felony violation of the uniform controlled substances act,
chapter 69.50 RCW, that is classified as a class B felony or that has
a maximum term of imprisonment of at least ten years;
(c) Child molestation in the second degree;
(d) Incest when committed against a child under age fourteen;
(e) Indecent liberties;
(f) Leading organized crime;
(g) Promoting prostitution in the first degree;
(h) Rape in the third degree;
(i) Drive-by shooting;
(j) Sexual exploitation;
(k) Vehicular assault, when caused by the operation or driving of
a vehicle by a person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor
or any drug or by the operation or driving of a vehicle in a reckless
manner;
(l) Vehicular homicide, when proximately caused by the driving of
any vehicle by any person while under the influence of intoxicating
liquor or any drug as defined by RCW 46.61.502, or by the operation of
any vehicle in a reckless manner;
(m) Any other class B felony offense with a finding of sexual
motivation, as "sexual motivation" is defined under RCW 9.94A.030;
(n) Any other felony with a deadly weapon verdict under RCW
9.94A.602; or
(o) Any felony offense in effect at any time prior to June 6, 1996,
that is comparable to a serious offense, or any federal or out-of-state
conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a
felony classified as a serious offense.
(13) "Law enforcement officer" includes a general authority
Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020, or a specially
commissioned Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020.
"Law enforcement officer" also includes a limited authority Washington
peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020 if such officer is duly
authorized by his or her employer to carry a concealed pistol.
(14) "Felony" means any felony offense under the laws of this state
or any federal or out-of-state offense comparable to a felony offense
under the laws of this state.
(15) "Sell" refers to the actual approval of the delivery of a
firearm in consideration of payment or promise of payment of a certain
price in money.
(16) "Barrel length" means the distance from the bolt face of a
closed action down the length of the axis of the bore to the crown of
the muzzle, or in the case of a barrel with attachments to the end of
any legal device permanently attached to the end of the muzzle.
(17) "Family or household member" means "family" or "household
member" as used in RCW 10.99.020.
(18) "Nonimmigrant alien" means a person defined as such in 8
U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(15).
(19) "Lawful permanent resident" has the same meaning afforded a
person "lawfully admitted for permanent residence" in 8 U.S.C. Sec.
1101(a)(20).
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW
to read as follows:
It is a class C felony for any person who is not a citizen of the
United States to carry or possess any firearm, unless the person: (1)
Is a lawful permanent resident; (2) has obtained a valid alien firearm
license pursuant to section 3 of this act; or (3) meets the
requirements of section 4 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) In order to obtain an alien firearm license, a nonimmigrant
alien residing in Washington must apply to the sheriff of the county in
which he or she resides.
(2) The sheriff of the county shall within sixty days after the
filing of an application of a nonimmigrant alien residing in the state
of Washington, issue an alien firearm license to such person to carry
or possess a firearm for the purposes of hunting and sport shooting.
The license shall be good for two years. The issuing authority shall
not refuse to accept completed applications for alien firearm licenses
during regular business hours. An application for a license may not be
denied, unless the applicant's alien firearm license is in a revoked
status, or the applicant:
(a) Is ineligible to possess a firearm under the provisions of RCW
9.41.040 or 9.41.045;
(b) Is subject to a court order or injunction regarding firearms
pursuant to RCW 9A.46.080, 10.14.080, 10.99.040, 10.99.045, 26.09.050,
26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, 26.26.130, 26.50.060, 26.50.070, or
26.26.590;
(c) Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal,
or sentencing for a felony offense; or
(d) Has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest from any court
of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor.
No license application shall be granted to a nonimmigrant alien
convicted of a felony unless the person has been granted relief from
disabilities by the attorney general under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 925(c), or
unless RCW 9.41.040 (3) or (4) applies.
(3) The sheriff shall check with the national crime information
center, the Washington state patrol electronic database, the department
of social and health services electronic database, and with other
agencies or resources as appropriate, to determine whether the
applicant is ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045 to possess a
firearm.
(4) The license application shall bear the full name, residential
address, telephone number at the option of the applicant, date and
place of birth, race, gender, description, not more than two complete
sets of fingerprints, and signature of the applicant, a copy of the
applicant's passport and visa showing the applicant is in the country
legally, and a valid Washington hunting license or documentation that
the applicant is a member of a sport shooting club.
A signed application for an alien firearm license shall constitute
a waiver of confidentiality and written request that the department of
social and health services, mental health institutions, and other
health care facilities release information relevant to the applicant's
eligibility for an alien firearm license to an inquiring court or law
enforcement agency.
The application for an original license shall include a complete
set of fingerprints to be forwarded to the Washington state patrol.
The license and application shall contain a warning substantially
as follows:
CAUTION: Although state and local laws do not differ, federal law and state law on the possession of firearms differ. If you are prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, you may be prosecuted in federal court. A state license is not a defense to a federal prosecution.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) A nonimmigrant alien, who is not a resident of Washington or a
citizen of Canada, may carry or possess any firearm without having
first obtained an alien firearm license if the nonimmigrant alien
possesses:
(a) A valid passport and visa showing he or she is in the country
legally;
(b) If required under federal law, an approved United States
department of justice ATF-6 NIA application and permit for temporary
importation of firearms and ammunition by nonimmigrant aliens; and
(c)(i) A valid hunting license issued by a state or territory of
the United States; or
(ii) An invitation to participate in a trade show or sport shooting
event being conducted in this state, another state, or another country
that is contiguous with this state.
(2) A citizen of Canada may carry or possess any firearm so long as
he or she possesses:
(a) Valid documentation as required for entry into the United
States;
(b) If required under federal law, an approved United States
department of justice ATF-6 NIA application and permit for temporary
importation of firearms and ammunition by nonimmigrant aliens; and
(c)(i) A valid hunting license issued by a state or territory of
the United States; or
(ii) An invitation to participate in a trade show or sport shooting
event being conducted in this state, another state, or another country
that is contiguous with this state.
(3) For purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the
firearms may only be possessed for the purpose of using them in the
hunting of game while such persons are in the act of hunting, or while
on a hunting trip, or while such persons are competing in a bona fide
trap or skeet shoot or any other organized contest where rifles,
pistols, or shotguns are used. Nothing in this section shall be
construed to allow aliens to hunt or fish in this state without first
having obtained a regular hunting or fishing license.
Sec. 5 RCW 9.41.070 and 2002 c 302 s 703 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) The chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a
county shall within thirty days after the filing of an application of
any person, issue a license to such person to carry a pistol concealed
on his or her person within this state for five years from date of
issue, for the purposes of protection or while engaged in business,
sport, or while traveling. However, if the applicant does not have a
valid permanent Washington driver's license or Washington state
identification card or has not been a resident of the state for the
previous consecutive ninety days, the issuing authority shall have up
to sixty days after the filing of the application to issue a license.
The issuing authority shall not refuse to accept completed applications
for concealed pistol licenses during regular business hours.
The applicant's constitutional right to bear arms shall not be
denied, unless:
(a) He or she is ineligible to possess a firearm under the
provisions of RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045;
(b) The applicant's concealed pistol license is in a revoked
status;
(c) He or she is under twenty-one years of age;
(d) He or she is subject to a court order or injunction regarding
firearms pursuant to RCW 9A.46.080, 10.14.080, 10.99.040, 10.99.045,
26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, 26.26.130, 26.50.060,
26.50.070, or 26.26.590;
(e) He or she is free on bond or personal recognizance pending
trial, appeal, or sentencing for a felony offense;
(f) He or she has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest from
any court of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor; or
(g) He or she has been ordered to forfeit a firearm under RCW
9.41.098(1)(e) within one year before filing an application to carry a
pistol concealed on his or her person.
No person convicted of a felony may have his or her right to
possess firearms restored or his or her privilege to carry a concealed
pistol restored, unless the person has been granted relief from
disabilities by the ((secretary of the treasury)) attorney general
under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 925(c), or RCW 9.41.040 (3) or (4) applies.
(2) The issuing authority shall check with the national crime
information center, the Washington state patrol electronic database,
the department of social and health services electronic database, and
with other agencies or resources as appropriate, to determine whether
the applicant is ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045 to possess
a firearm and therefore ineligible for a concealed pistol license.
This subsection applies whether the applicant is applying for a new
concealed pistol license or to renew a concealed pistol license.
(3) Any person whose firearms rights have been restricted and who
has been granted relief from disabilities by the ((secretary of the
treasury)) attorney general under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 925(c) or who is
exempt under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 921(a)(20)(A) shall have his or her right
to acquire, receive, transfer, ship, transport, carry, and possess
firearms in accordance with Washington state law restored except as
otherwise prohibited by this chapter.
(4) The license application shall bear the full name, residential
address, telephone number at the option of the applicant, date and
place of birth, race, gender, description, ((not more than two)) a
complete set((s)) of fingerprints, and signature of the licensee, and
the licensee's driver's license number or state identification card
number if used for identification in applying for the license. A
signed application for a concealed pistol license shall constitute a
waiver of confidentiality and written request that the department of
social and health services, mental health institutions, and other
health care facilities release information relevant to the applicant's
eligibility for a concealed pistol license to an inquiring court or law
enforcement agency.
The application for an original license shall include two complete
sets of fingerprints to be forwarded to the Washington state patrol.
The license and application shall contain a warning substantially
as follows:
CAUTION: Although state and local laws do not differ, federal law and state law on the possession of firearms differ. If you are prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, you may be prosecuted in federal court. A state license is not a defense to a federal prosecution.
Sec. 6 RCW 9.41.097 and 2005 c 274 s 202 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) The department of social and health services, mental health
institutions, and other health care facilities shall, upon request of
a court or law enforcement agency, supply such relevant information as
is necessary to determine the eligibility of a person to possess a
pistol or to be issued a concealed pistol license under RCW 9.41.070 or
to purchase a pistol under RCW 9.41.090.
(2) Mental health information received by: (a) The department of
licensing pursuant to RCW 9.41.047 or ((9.41.170)) section 3 of this
act; (b) an issuing authority pursuant to RCW 9.41.047 or 9.41.070; (c)
a chief of police or sheriff pursuant to RCW 9.41.090 or ((9.41.170))
section 3 of this act; (d) a court or law enforcement agency pursuant
to subsection (1) of this section, shall not be disclosed except as
provided in RCW 42.56.240(4).
Sec. 7 RCW 9.41.0975 and 1996 c 295 s 9 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) The state, local governmental entities, any public or private
agency, and the employees of any state or local governmental entity or
public or private agency, acting in good faith, are immune from
liability:
(a) For failure to prevent the sale or transfer of a firearm to a
person whose receipt or possession of the firearm is unlawful;
(b) For preventing the sale or transfer of a firearm to a person
who may lawfully receive or possess a firearm;
(c) For issuing a concealed pistol license or alien firearm license
to a person ineligible for such a license;
(d) For failing to issue a concealed pistol license or alien
firearm license to a person eligible for such a license;
(e) For revoking or failing to revoke an issued concealed pistol
license or alien firearm license;
(f) For errors in preparing or transmitting information as part of
determining a person's eligibility to receive or possess a firearm, or
eligibility for a concealed pistol license or alien firearm license;
(g) For issuing a dealer's license to a person ineligible for such
a license; or
(h) For failing to issue a dealer's license to a person eligible
for such a license.
(2) An application may be made to a court of competent jurisdiction
for a writ of mandamus:
(a) Directing an issuing agency to issue a concealed pistol license
or alien firearm license wrongfully refused;
(b) Directing a law enforcement agency to approve an application to
purchase wrongfully denied;
(c) Directing that erroneous information resulting either in the
wrongful refusal to issue a concealed pistol license or alien firearm
license or in the wrongful denial of a purchase application be
corrected; or
(d) Directing a law enforcement agency to approve a dealer's
license wrongfully denied.
The application for the writ may be made in the county in which the
application for a concealed pistol license or alien firearm license or
to purchase a pistol was made, or in Thurston county, at the discretion
of the petitioner. A court shall provide an expedited hearing for an
application brought under this subsection (2) for a writ of mandamus.
A person granted a writ of mandamus under this subsection (2) shall be
awarded reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8 RCW 9.41.170 (Alien's license to carry
firearms -- Exception) and 1996 c 295 s 11, 1994 c 190 s 1, 1979 c 158 s
3, 1969 ex.s. c 90 s 1, & 1953 c 109 s 1 are each repealed."
2SHB 1052 -
By Committee on Judiciary
ADOPTED 04/07/2009
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "countries;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 9.41.010, 9.41.070, 9.41.097, and 9.41.0975; adding new sections to chapter 9.41 RCW; repealing RCW 9.41.170; and prescribing penalties."