BILL REQ. #:  S-3615.1 

Read first time 01/14/10.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing use of firearm noise suppression devices by on-duty law enforcement officers; and amending RCW 9.41.250.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 9.41.250 and 2007 c 379 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Every person who:
     (a) Manufactures, sells, ((or)) disposes of, or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles((, or));
     (b) Manufactures, sells, disposes of, or possesses a spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
     (((b))) (c) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or
     (((c))) (d) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm,
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
     (2) Subsection (1)(((a))) (b) of this section does not apply to:
     (a) The possession of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer while the officer:
     (i) Is on official duty; or
     (ii) Is transporting the knife to or from the place where the knife is stored when the officer is not on official duty; or
     (b) The storage of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer.
     (3) Subsection (1)(d) of this section does not apply to the use of any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of a firearm by a law enforcement officer while on official duty. However, this subsection only applies to the use of contrivances or devices that have been legally registered in accordance with federal law.