S-4189.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 6331

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

 

By Senators Hale, Owen, Newhouse, Morton, Roach, Hargrove, Deccio, Zarelli, Oke, Moyer, A. Anderson, McCaslin, Loveland, Hochstatter, Sutherland, Swecker, Sellar, Sheldon, Schow, Haugen and McDonald

 

Read first time 01/11/96.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

 

Revising standards for qualification to possess firearms.



    AN ACT Relating to possession of firearms; amending RCW 9.41.040, 9.41.070, 9.41.098, 9.41.800, and 9.41.047; reenacting and amending RCW 9.41.010 and 9.41.090; and prescribing penalties.

 

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

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 9.41.010 and 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 401 and 1994 c 121 s 1 are each reenacted and 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 may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder.

    (2) "Pistol" means any firearm with a barrel less than twelve 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) Bullets 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; or

    (d) There is a cartridge in the tube, magazine, or other compartment of the firearm.

    (10) "Dealer" means a person engaged in the business of selling firearms or ammunition 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, rape in the second degree, 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 July 1, 1976, 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) Child molestation in the second degree;

    (c) Controlled substance homicide;

    (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) Sexual exploitation;

    (j) Vehicular assault;

    (k) 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;

    (l) Any other class B felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation, as "sexual motivation" is defined under RCW 9.94A.030;

    (m) Any other felony with a deadly weapon verdict under RCW 9.94A.125; or

    (n) Any felony offense in effect at any time prior to July 1, 1994, 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)) "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.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 9.41.040 and 1995 c 129 s 16 (Initiative Measure No. 159) are each amended to read as follows:

    (1)(a) A person, whether an adult or juvenile, is guilty of the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree, if the person owns, has in his or her possession, or has in his or her control any firearm after having previously been convicted in this state or elsewhere of any serious offense as defined in this chapter, residential burglary, reckless endangerment in the first degree, any felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW, classified as a class A or class B felony, or with a maximum sentence of at least ten years, or both, or equivalent statutes of another jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) or (4) of this section.

    (b) A person, whether an adult or juvenile, is guilty of the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, if the person does not qualify under (a) of this subsection for the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree and the person owns, has in his or her possession, or has in his or her control any firearm:

    (i) After having previously been convicted in this state or elsewhere of any ((remaining)) felony ((violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW, or equivalent statutes of another jurisdiction not specifically listed as prohibiting firearm possession under (a) of this subsection, any remaining felony in which a firearm was used or displayed and the felony is not specifically listed as prohibiting firearm possession under (a) of this subsection, any domestic violence offense enumerated in RCW 10.99.020(2), or any harassment offense enumerated in RCW 9A.46.060, except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) or (4) of this section));

    (ii) ((After having previously been convicted on three occasions within five years of driving a motor vehicle or operating a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, unless his or her right to possess a firearm has been restored as provided in RCW 9.41.047;

    (iii))) After having previously been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment under RCW 71.05.320, 71.34.090, chapter 10.77 RCW, or equivalent statutes of another jurisdiction, unless his or her right to possess a firearm has been restored as provided in RCW 9.41.047; and/or

    (((iv))) (iii) If the person is under eighteen years of age, except as provided in RCW 9.41.042.

    (2)(a) Unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree is a class B felony, punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (b) Unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree is a class C felony, punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (3) As used in this section, a person has been "convicted" at such time as a plea of guilty has been accepted or a verdict of guilty has been filed, notwithstanding the pendency of any future proceedings including but not limited to sentencing or disposition, post-trial or post-factfinding motions, and appeals.  A person shall not be precluded from possession of a firearm if the conviction has been the subject of a pardon, annulment, certificate of rehabilitation, or other equivalent procedure based on a finding of the rehabilitation of the person convicted or the conviction or disposition has been the subject of a pardon, annulment, or other equivalent procedure based on a finding of innocence.

    (4) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a person convicted of an offense prohibiting the possession of a firearm under this section other than murder, manslaughter, robbery, rape, indecent liberties, arson, assault, kidnapping, extortion, burglary, or violations with respect to controlled substances under RCW 69.50.401(a) and 69.50.410, who received a probationary sentence under RCW 9.95.200, and who received a dismissal of the charge under RCW 9.95.240, shall not be precluded from possession of a firearm as a result of the conviction.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, if a person is prohibited from possession of a firearm under subsection (1) of this section and has not previously been convicted of a sex offense prohibiting firearm ownership under subsection (1) of this section and/or any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or with a maximum sentence of at least twenty years, or both, the individual may petition a court of record to have his or her right to possess a firearm restored:

    (a) Under RCW 9.41.047; and/or

    (b) After five or more consecutive years in the community without being convicted or currently charged with any felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor crimes, if the individual has no prior felony convictions that prohibit the possession of a firearm counted as part of the offender score under RCW 9.94A.360.

    (5) In addition to any other penalty provided for by law, if a person under the age of eighteen years is found by a court to have possessed a firearm in a vehicle in violation of subsection (1) of this section or to have committed an offense while armed with a firearm during which offense a motor vehicle served an integral function, the court shall notify the department of licensing within twenty-four hours and the person's privilege to drive shall be revoked under RCW 46.20.265.

    (6) Nothing in chapter 129, Laws of 1995 shall ever be construed or interpreted as preventing an offender from being charged and subsequently convicted for the separate felony crimes of theft of a firearm or possession of a stolen firearm, or both, in addition to being charged and subsequently convicted under this section for unlawful possession of a firearm in the first or second degree.  Notwithstanding any other law, if the offender is convicted under this section for unlawful possession of a firearm in the first or second degree and for the felony crimes of theft of a firearm or possession of a stolen firearm, or both, then the offender shall serve consecutive sentences for each of the felony crimes of conviction listed in this subsection.

    (7) Each firearm unlawfully possessed under this section shall be a separate offense.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 9.41.070 and 1995 c 351 s 1 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, 26.26.137, 26.50.060, or 26.50.070;

    (e) He or she is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a ((serious)) 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;

    (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; or

    (h)(i) ((He or she has been convicted of any crime against a child or other person listed in RCW 43.43.830(5).

    (ii) Except as provided in (h)(iii) of this subsection,)) Any person who becomes ineligible for a concealed pistol license as a result of a conviction for a ((crime listed in (h)(i) of this subsection)) felony and then successfully completes all terms of his or her sentence, as evidenced by a certificate of discharge issued under RCW 9.94A.220 in the case of a sentence under chapter 9.94A RCW, and who has not again been convicted of any crime and is not under indictment for any crime, and who complies with (h)(ii) of this subsection may, one year or longer after such successful sentence completion, petition a court of record for a declaration that the person is no longer ineligible for a concealed pistol license under (((h)(i) of)) this subsection (1)(h)(i).

    (((iii))) (ii) No person convicted of a ((serious offense as defined in RCW 9.41.010)) 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 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 data base, the department of social and health services electronic data base, 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 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 complete sets 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.

 

    The license shall contain a description of the major differences between state and federal law and an explanation of the fact that local laws and ordinances on firearms are preempted by state law and must be consistent with state law.  The application shall contain questions about the applicant's eligibility under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a pistol, the applicant's place of birth, and whether the applicant is a United States citizen.  The applicant shall not be required to produce a birth certificate or other evidence of citizenship.  A person who is not a citizen of the United States shall meet the additional requirements of RCW 9.41.170 and produce proof of compliance with RCW 9.41.170 upon application.  The license shall be in triplicate and in a form to be prescribed by the department of licensing.

    The original thereof shall be delivered to the licensee, the duplicate shall within seven days be sent by registered mail to the director of licensing and the triplicate shall be preserved for six years, by the authority issuing the license.

    The department of licensing shall make available to law enforcement and corrections agencies, in an on-line format, all information received under this subsection.

    (5) The nonrefundable fee, paid upon application, for the original five-year license shall be thirty-six dollars plus additional charges imposed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that are passed on to the applicant.  No other state or local branch or unit of government may impose any additional charges on the applicant for the issuance of the license.

    The fee shall be distributed as follows:

    (a) Fifteen dollars shall be paid to the state general fund;

    (b) Four dollars shall be paid to the agency taking the fingerprints of the person licensed;

    (c) Fourteen dollars shall be paid to the issuing authority for the purpose of enforcing this chapter; and

    (d) Three dollars to the firearms range account in the general fund.

    (6) The fee for the renewal of such license shall be thirty-two dollars.  No other branch or unit of government may impose any additional charges on the applicant for the renewal of the license.

    The renewal fee shall be distributed as follows:

    (a) Fifteen dollars shall be paid to the state general fund;

    (b) Fourteen dollars shall be paid to the issuing authority for the purpose of enforcing this chapter; and

    (c) Three dollars to the firearms range account in the general fund.

    (7) The fee for replacement of lost or damaged licenses is ten dollars to be paid to the issuing authority.

    (8) Payment shall be by cash, check, or money order at the option of the applicant.  Additional methods of payment may be allowed at the option of the issuing authority.

    (9) A licensee may renew a license if the licensee applies for renewal within ninety days before or after the expiration date of the license.  A license so renewed shall take effect on the expiration date of the prior license.  A licensee renewing after the expiration date of the license must pay a late renewal penalty of ten dollars in addition to the renewal fee specified in subsection (6) of this section.  The fee shall be distributed as follows:

    (a) Three dollars shall be deposited in the state wildlife fund and used exclusively for the printing and distribution of a pamphlet on the legal limits of the use of firearms, firearms safety, and the preemptive nature of state law.  The pamphlet shall be given to each applicant for a license; and

    (b) Seven dollars shall be paid to the issuing authority for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.

    (10) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (1) through (9) of this section, the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county of the applicant's residence may issue a temporary emergency license for good cause pending review under subsection (1) of this section.

    (11) A political subdivision of the state shall not modify the requirements of this section or chapter, nor may a political subdivision ask the applicant to voluntarily submit any information not required by this section.

    (12) A person who knowingly makes a false statement regarding citizenship or identity on an application for a concealed pistol license is guilty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040.  In addition to any other penalty provided for by law, the concealed pistol license of a person who knowingly makes a false statement shall be revoked, and the person shall be permanently ineligible for a concealed pistol license.

    (13) A person may apply for a concealed pistol license:

    (a) To the municipality or to the county in which the applicant resides if the applicant resides in a municipality;

    (b) To the county in which the applicant resides if the applicant resides in an unincorporated area; or

    (c) Anywhere in the state if the applicant is a nonresident.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 9.41.098 and 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 414 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The superior courts and the courts of limited jurisdiction of the state may order forfeiture of a firearm which is proven to be:

    (a) Found concealed on a person not authorized by RCW 9.41.060 or 9.41.070 to carry a concealed pistol:  PROVIDED, That it is an absolute defense to forfeiture if the person possessed a valid Washington concealed pistol license within the preceding two years and has not become ineligible for a concealed pistol license in the interim.  Before the firearm may be returned, the person must pay the past due renewal fee and the current renewal fee;

    (b) Commercially sold to any person without an application as required by RCW 9.41.090;

    (c) Found in the possession of a person prohibited from possessing the firearm under RCW 9.41.040;

    (d) Found in the possession or under the control of a person at the time the person committed or was arrested for committing a ((serious offense)) felony or committing a nonfelony crime in which a firearm was used or displayed ((or a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW));

    (e) Found concealed on a person who is in any place in which a concealed pistol license is required, and who is under the influence of any drug or under the influence of intoxicating liquor, as defined in chapter 46.61 RCW;

    (f) Found in the possession of a person free on bail or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a ((serious offense)) felony or for a nonfelony crime in which a firearm was used or displayed, except that violations of Title 77 RCW shall not result in forfeiture under this section;

    (g) Found in the possession of a person found to have been mentally incompetent while in possession of a firearm when apprehended or who is thereafter committed pursuant to chapter 10.77 or 71.05 RCW;

    (h) Known to have been used or displayed by a person in the violation of a proper written order of a court of general jurisdiction; or

    (i) Known to have been used in the commission of a ((serious offense)) felony or of a nonfelony crime in which a firearm was used or displayed ((or a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW)).

    (2) Upon order of forfeiture, the court in its discretion may order destruction of any forfeited firearm.  A court may temporarily retain forfeited firearms needed for evidence.

    (a) Except as provided in (b), (c), and (d) of this subsection, firearms that are:  (i) Judicially forfeited and no longer needed for evidence; or (ii) forfeited due to a failure to make a claim under RCW 63.32.010 or 63.40.010; may be disposed of in any manner determined by the local legislative authority.  Any proceeds of an auction or trade may be retained by the legislative authority.  This subsection (2)(a) applies only to firearms that come into the possession of the law enforcement agency after June 30, 1993, and applies only if the law enforcement agency has complied with (b) of this subsection.

    By midnight, June 30, 1993, every law enforcement agency shall prepare an inventory, under oath, of every firearm that has been judicially forfeited, has been seized and may be subject to judicial forfeiture, or that has been, or may be, forfeited due to a failure to make a claim under RCW 63.32.010 or 63.40.010.

    (b) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, of the inventoried firearms a law enforcement agency shall destroy illegal firearms, may retain a maximum of ten percent of legal forfeited firearms for agency use, and shall either:

    (i) Comply with the provisions for the auction of firearms in RCW 9.41.098 that were in effect immediately preceding May 7, 1993; or

    (ii) Trade, auction, or arrange for the auction of, rifles and shotguns.  In addition, the law enforcement agency shall either trade, auction, or arrange for the auction of, short firearms, or shall pay a fee of twenty-five dollars to the state treasurer for every short firearm neither auctioned nor traded, to a maximum of fifty thousand dollars.  The fees shall be accompanied by an inventory, under oath, of every short firearm listed in the inventory required by (a) of this subsection, that has been neither traded nor auctioned.  The state treasurer shall credit the fees to the firearms range account established in RCW 77.12.720.  All trades or auctions of firearms under this subsection shall be to licensed dealers.  Proceeds of any auction less costs, including actual costs of storage and sale, shall be forwarded to the firearms range account established in RCW 77.12.720.

    (c) Antique firearms and firearms recognized as curios, relics, and firearms of particular historical significance by the United States treasury department bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms are exempt from destruction and shall be disposed of by auction or trade to licensed dealers.

    (d) Firearms in the possession of the Washington state patrol on or after May 7, 1993, that are judicially forfeited and no longer needed for evidence, or forfeited due to a failure to make a claim under RCW 63.35.020, must be disposed of as follows:  (i) Firearms illegal for any person to possess must be destroyed; (ii) the Washington state patrol may retain a maximum of ten percent of legal firearms for agency use; and (iii) all other legal firearms must be auctioned or traded to licensed dealers.  The Washington state patrol may retain any proceeds of an auction or trade.

    (3) The court shall order the firearm returned to the owner upon a showing that there is no probable cause to believe a violation of subsection (1) of this section existed or the firearm was stolen from the owner or the owner neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission involving the firearm which resulted in its forfeiture.

    (4) A law enforcement officer of the state or of any county or municipality may confiscate a firearm found to be in the possession of a person under circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section.  After confiscation, the firearm shall not be surrendered except:  (a) To the prosecuting attorney for use in subsequent legal proceedings; (b) for disposition according to an order of a court having jurisdiction as provided in subsection (1) of this section; or (c) to the owner if the proceedings are dismissed or as directed in subsection (3) of this section.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 9.41.800 and 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 430 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Any court when entering an order authorized under 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, 26.26.137, 26.50.060, or 26.50.070 shall, upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence, that a party has:  Used, displayed, or threatened to use a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a ((serious offense)) felony, or previously committed any offense that makes him or her ineligible to possess a firearm under the provisions of RCW 9.41.040:

    (a) Require the party to surrender any firearm or other dangerous weapon;

    (b) Require the party to surrender any concealed pistol license issued under RCW 9.41.070;

    (c) Prohibit the party from obtaining or possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon;

    (d) Prohibit the party from obtaining or possessing a concealed pistol license.

    (2) Any court when entering an order authorized under 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, 26.26.137, 26.50.060, or 26.50.070 may, upon a showing by a preponderance of the evidence but not by clear and convincing evidence, that a party has:  Used, displayed, or threatened to use a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a ((serious offense)) felony, or previously committed any offense that makes him or her ineligible to possess a pistol under the provisions of RCW  9.41.040:

    (a) Require the party to surrender any firearm or other dangerous weapon;

    (b) Require the party to surrender a concealed pistol license issued under RCW 9.41.070;

    (c) Prohibit the party from obtaining or possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon;

    (d) Prohibit the party from obtaining or possessing a concealed pistol license.

    (3) The court may order temporary surrender of a firearm or other dangerous weapon without notice to the other party if it finds, on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence, that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for response has elapsed.

    (4) In addition to the provisions of subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section, the court may enter an order requiring a party to comply with the provisions in subsection (1) of this section if it finds that the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by any party presents a serious and imminent threat to public health or safety, or to the health or safety of any individual.

    (5) The requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this section may be for a period of time less than the duration of the order.

    (6) The court may require the party to surrender any firearm or other dangerous weapon in his or her immediate possession or control or subject to his or her immediate possession or control to the sheriff of the county having jurisdiction of the proceeding or to the restrained or enjoined party's counsel or to any person designated by the court.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 9.41.047 and 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 404 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1)(((a))) At the time a person is convicted of an offense making the person ineligible to possess a firearm, or at the time a person is committed by court order under RCW 71.05.320, 71.34.090, or chapter 10.77 RCW for mental health treatment, the convicting or committing court shall notify the person, orally and in writing, that the person may not possess a firearm unless his or her right to do so is restored by a court of record.

    The convicting or committing court also shall forward a copy of the person's driver's license or identicard, or comparable information, to the department of licensing, along with the date of conviction or commitment.

    (2) Upon receipt of the information provided for by subsection (1) of this section, the department of licensing shall determine if the convicted or committed person has a concealed pistol license.  If the person does have a concealed pistol license, the department of licensing shall immediately notify the license-issuing authority.

    (3) ((A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm by reason of having previously been convicted on three occasions of driving a motor vehicle or operating a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug may, after five continuous years without further conviction for any alcohol-related offense, petition a court of record to have his or her right to possess a firearm restored.

    (4)))(a) A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, by reason of having been ((either:

    (ii))) involuntarily committed for mental health treatment under RCW 71.05.320, 71.34.090, chapter 10.77 RCW, or equivalent statutes of another jurisdiction, may, upon discharge, petition a court of record to have his or her right to possess a firearm restored.

    (b) At a minimum, a petition under this subsection (((4))) (3) shall include the following:

    (i) The fact, date, and place of commitment;

    (ii) The place of treatment;

    (iii) The fact and date of release from commitment;

    (iv) A certified copy of the most recent order, if one exists, of commitment, with the findings of fact and conclusions of law; and

    (v) A statement by the person that he or she is no longer required to participate in an inpatient or outpatient treatment program, is no longer required to take medication to treat any condition related to the commitment, and does not present a substantial danger to himself or herself, to others, or to the public safety.

    (c) A person petitioning the court under this subsection (((4))) (3) shall bear the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the circumstances resulting in the commitment no longer exist and are not reasonably likely to recur.

 

    Sec. 7.  RCW 9.41.090 and 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 410 and 1994 c 264 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (1) In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, no dealer may deliver a pistol to the purchaser thereof until:

    (a) The purchaser produces a valid concealed pistol license and the dealer has recorded the purchaser's name, license number, and issuing agency, such record to be made in triplicate and processed as provided in subsection (5) of this section.  For purposes of this subsection (1)(a), a "valid concealed pistol license" does not include a temporary emergency license, and does not include any license issued before July 1, 1994, unless the issuing agency conducted a records search for disqualifying crimes under RCW 9.41.070 at the time of issuance;

    (b) The dealer is notified in writing by the chief of police or the sheriff of the jurisdiction in which the purchaser resides that the purchaser is eligible to possess a pistol under RCW 9.41.040 and that the application to purchase is approved by the chief of police or sheriff; or

    (c) Five business days, meaning days on which state offices are open, have elapsed from the time of receipt of the application for the purchase thereof as provided herein by the chief of police or sheriff designated in subsection (5) of this section, and, when delivered, the pistol shall be securely wrapped and shall be unloaded.  However, if the purchaser does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state identification card or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive ninety days, the waiting period under this subsection (1)(c) shall be up to sixty days.

    (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, in determining whether the purchaser meets the requirements of RCW 9.41.040, the chief of police or sheriff, or the designee of either, shall check with the national crime information center, the Washington state patrol electronic data base, the department of social and health services electronic data base, and with other agencies or resources as appropriate, to determine whether the applicant is ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a firearm.

    (b) Once the system is established, a dealer shall use the national instant criminal background check system, provided for by the Brady Handgun Control Act (H.R. 1025, 103rd Cong., 1st Sess. (1993)), to make criminal background checks of applicants to purchase firearms.  However, a chief of police or sheriff, or a designee of either, shall continue to check the department of social and health services' electronic data base and with other agencies or resources as appropriate, to determine whether applicants are ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a firearm.

    (3) In any case under subsection (1)(c) of this section where the applicant has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest from any court of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor, the dealer shall hold the delivery of the pistol until the warrant for arrest is served and satisfied by appropriate court appearance.  The local jurisdiction for purposes of the sale shall confirm the existence of outstanding warrants within seventy-two hours after notification of the application to purchase a pistol is received.  The local jurisdiction shall also immediately confirm the satisfaction of the warrant on request of the dealer so that the hold may be released if the warrant was for an offense other than an offense making a person ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a pistol.

    (4) In any case where the chief or sheriff of the local jurisdiction has reasonable grounds based on the following circumstances:  (a) Open criminal charges, (b) pending criminal proceedings, (c) pending commitment proceedings, (d) an outstanding warrant for an offense making a person ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a pistol, or (e) an arrest for an offense making a person ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a pistol, if the records of disposition have not yet been reported or entered sufficiently to determine eligibility to purchase a pistol, the local jurisdiction may hold the sale and delivery of the pistol beyond five days up to thirty days in order to confirm existing records in this state or elsewhere.  After thirty days, the hold will be lifted unless an extension of the thirty days is approved by a local district court or municipal court for good cause shown.  An applicant shall be notified of each hold placed on the sale by local law enforcement and of any application to the court for additional hold period to confirm records or confirm the identity of the applicant.

    (5) At the time of applying for the purchase of a pistol, the purchaser shall sign in triplicate and deliver to the dealer an application containing his or her full name, street address, date and place of birth, race, and gender; the date and hour of the application; the applicant's driver's license number or state identification card number; a description of the pistol including the make, model, caliber and manufacturer's number; and a statement that the purchaser is eligible to possess a pistol under RCW 9.41.040.

    The 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.  State permission to purchase a firearm is not a defense to a federal prosecution.

 

The purchaser shall be given a copy of the department of fish and wildlife pamphlet on the legal limits of the use of firearms, firearms safety, and the fact that local laws and ordinances on firearms are preempted by state law and must be consistent with state law.

    The dealer shall, by the end of the business day, sign and attach his or her address and deliver the original of the application and such other documentation as required under subsection (1) of this section to the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county of which the purchaser is a resident.  The dealer shall deliver the pistol to the purchaser following the period of time specified in this section unless the dealer is notified in writing by the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county, whichever is applicable, denying the purchaser's application to purchase and the grounds thereof.  The application shall not be denied unless the purchaser is not eligible to possess a pistol under RCW 9.41.040. 

    The chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county shall retain or destroy applications to purchase a pistol in accordance with the requirements of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922.

    (6) A person who knowingly makes a false statement regarding identity or eligibility requirements on the application to purchase a pistol is guilty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040.

    (7) This section does not apply to sales to licensed dealers for resale or to the sale of antique firearms.

 


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