READ FIRST TIME 02/02/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to requiring firearms safety devices and gun safes to meet minimum standards if purchased, used, or issued by governmental agencies and limiting the civil liability of governmental agencies and agents who provide or properly use approved firearms safety devices or gun safes; and adding a new chapter to Title 42 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) If a governmental agency chooses to purchase, use, or issue a firearms safety device or gun safe, that device or safe must meet the minimum standards for gun safes and firearms safety devices as provided in subsection (2) of this section on the date of purchase.
     (b) Nothing in this section shall require any governmental agency to purchase, possess, use, or issue firearms safety devices or gun safes.
     (2) The devices identified by the California department of justice pursuant to Title 2, sections 12087-12088.9 of the California penal code, effective July 1, 2012, meet the minimum standards for gun safes and firearms safety devices.
     (3) For purposes of this section:
     (a) "Firearm" means a firearm as defined in RCW 9.41.010.
     (b) "Firearms safety device" means a device other than a gun safe that locks and is designed to prevent children and unauthorized users from firing a firearm. The device may be installed on a firearm, be incorporated into the design of the firearm, or prevent access to the firearm.
     (c) "Governmental agency" means any department or agency of state, county, or local government.
     (d) "Gun safe" means a locking container that fully contains and secures one or more firearms.
     (4) A governmental agency or government agent shall not be liable for civil damages resulting directly or indirectly from the purchase, possession, or proper use of a firearms safety device or gun safe identified as appropriate for that firearm identified under subsection (2) of this section or for the purchase, possession, or proper use of a firearms safety device or gun safe identified as appropriate for that firearm that was purchased prior to July 1, 2012.
     (5) A governmental agency that has purchased or issued a firearms safety device or gun safe prior to July 1, 2012, must replace any firearms safety device or gun safe or remove any requirement that a government agent use any firearms safety device or gun safe, if it is not included on the roster identified under subsection (2) of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   Section 1 of this act constitutes a new chapter in Title 42 RCW.