Weapon-Restricted Areas.
Washington prohibits any person from entering certain areas when that person knowingly possesses or controls a weapon, including:
The perimeter of these locations must be posted at reasonable intervals to alert the public as to the existence of any law restricting the possession of firearms on the premises.
Exceptions.
The foregoing restrictions on weapons in specified areas do not apply to:
Additionally, the foregoing restrictions do not apply to correctional personnel or community corrections officers, subject to specified requirements and exceptions. However, the exception for correctional personnel and officers does not apply to the restriction on weapons in portions of an establishment classified by the state Liquor and Cannabis Board as off-limits to persons under 21 years of age.
Distinct area-specific exceptions apply to jail and law enforcement facilities, public mental health facilities, liquor and cannabis establishments, libraries, zoos and aquariums, and transit stations and facilities.
Weapon Defined.
For the purpose of the restriction on weapons in specified areas of courts, "weapon" means any firearm, explosive, or any weapon of the kind usually known as slungshot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or any knife, dagger, dirk, or other similar weapon that is capable of causing death or bodily injury and is commonly used with the intent to cause death or bodily injury.
For the purpose of the restrictions on weapons in other specified areas, "weapon" means any firearm, explosive, or any instrument or weapon listed in the section of state law governing dangerous weapons, including any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slungshot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife; or any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law.
Penalty.
Any person who violates the foregoing restrictions on weapons in specified areas is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Other Weapon-Restricted Areas.
Additional restrictions on weapons apply to other areas, including schools, child care facilities, and election facilities. These restrictions are codified in a different section of the chapter of state law governing firearms and are subject to distinct requirements, exceptions, and penalties.
Additional locations are added to the section of state law restricting entry into certain areas while knowingly possessing or controlling a weapon.
Park Facilities.
Weapons are prohibited on the premises of a city's, town's, county's, or other municipality's neighborhood, community, or regional park facilities where children are likely to be present. Park facilities where children are likely to be present include, but are not limited to, playgrounds or children's play areas; sports fields; swim beaches or water play areas; teen centers, community centers, or performing arts centers; skate parks; and other recreational facilities likely to be used by children or youth.
Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities must designate park facilities where children are likely to be present and post appropriate signage at common access points to notify the public that weapons are prohibited within the park facility.
Public Buildings.
Weapons are prohibited on the premises of a state or local public building. A "state or local public building" means a building or part of a building owned, leased, held, or used by the governmental entity of a city, town, county, or other municipality or by the State of Washington, if state or local public employees are regularly present for the purposes of performing their official duties, and that is not regularly used, and not intended to be used, by state or local public employees as a place of residence.
A state or local public building does not include Washington State Department of Transportation properties and facilities such as ferry terminals, ferry holding lanes, safety rest areas, and train depots which are used primarily by the general traveling public. In such areas, weapons must remain in locked cases or remain in a locked portion of a vehicle.
County Fairs.
Weapons are prohibited on the premises of county fairs and county fair facilities during the hours of operation in which the fair is open to the public. "County fair" means fairs organized to serve the interests of single counties and are under county commissioner jurisdiction. This prohibition does not apply to gun shows operating on county fairgrounds.
Notice Requirement.
As soon as practicable, the perimeter of certain weapon-restricted areas must be posted at common public access points to alert the public as to the existence of any law restricting the possession of firearms on the premises. This requirement replaces the existing requirement for posting notice at reasonable intervals.
General Exceptions.
Existing exceptions allowing certain persons to bring weapons into specific weapon-restricted areas also apply to park facilities, public buildings, and county fairs. These exceptions apply to:
A new museum exception is added for certain weapon-restricted areas, including both those provided for in current law and park facilities, public buildings, and county fairs. This exception applies to firearms either on loan or that are part of a museum collection that may be in the possession of museum staff, volunteers, or contractors when they are on the premises and engaging in activities directly related to their official museum duties. This exception extends to individuals bringing a firearm at an approved date and time to a museum for loan or donation.
Liquor and Cannabis Establishment Exception.
The existing exception allowing certain correctional personnel and community corrections officers to bring weapons into specific weapon-restricted areas is extended to apply to liquor and cannabis establishments.
Park Facility, Public Building, and County Fair Exceptions.
Exceptions apply to restrictions on weapons in park facilities, public buildings, and county fairs for: (1) qualifying color guard and honor guard activities related to permitted events where military rifle honors are customarily conducted; and (2) firing ranges certified by the Washington State Patrol for firearms safety training and live-fire exercises for the purpose of completing a firearm safety training program to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm pursuant to House Bill 1163 (2025).
Weapon Defined.
The multiple definitions of the word "weapon" are removed from the section of state law governing weapons in certain areas. A unified definition of "weapon" is provided: any firearm; explosive as defined by state law; or any instrument of the kind usually known as slungshot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or any knife, dagger, dirk, or other similar instrument that is capable of causing death or bodily injury and is commonly used with the intent to cause death or bodily injury.
The amended bill: (1) modifies wording to preserve internal consistency by replacing "park facilities at which children are likely to be present" with "park facilities where children are likely to be present," and by removing references to "youth" from this defined term; (2) removes a duplicative definition of "park facilities where children and youth are likely to be present" and extraneous definition of "places of amusement"; and (3) adds an exception to the bill's restrictions on weapons in certain parks, public buildings, and county fairs for firing ranges certified by the Washington State Patrol for firearms safety training and live-fire exercises for the purpose of completing a firearm safety training program to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm pursuant to House Bill 1163 (2025).
(In support) This bill follows up on legislation from last year, which prohibited weapons in zoos, aquariums, libraries, and transit centers. This legislation looks to further protect others where family and children will be present, including in public buildings and county fairgrounds, and will enhance community safety and security. This bill is a response to a recent shooting on a county fairground in Washington.
Parks and playgrounds allow children to learn and grow, and they should be safe places of exploration and joy, not intimidation, gun violence, and harm. Firearms are triggering for children and make them feel unsafe. The bill will protect children both physically and emotionally. Parks are places where families gather and should be free of violence. No family should have to live in fear while trying to enjoy a public space. Recent gun violence in public places has deterred some families from returning to them.
The bill should be amended to cover areas where innocent bystanders are present. Innocent bystanders are everywhere and are being killed by gun violence.
The posting of signs to notify the public that weapons are prohibited in certain areas is strongly supported.
Fear of gun violence weighs heavily on people. A victim was recently shot in a park in West Seattle. Gun violence inflicts trauma on survivors and lives can be taken easily. The state should protect children.
The presence of firearms increases the risk of accidents, escalation, and violence. This legislation will mitigate the risks of violence in the workplaces of public servants.
Gun violence costs the state $11.9 billion each year. About 900 people die each year in Washington from gun violence. Firearms are more likely to be used to commit crimes than to protect oneself.
(Opposed) Over 80 percent of mass shootings occur in locations where firearms are banned. These zones do not deter crime but disarm law-abiding citizens. The list of locations one cannot carry a firearm should not be extended. Women are not safe in gun-free zones and cannot protect themselves. Laken Riley was killed in a gun-free zone. Local authorities will not provide additional security in gun-free zones. People don't feel safe in gun-free zones. When people are armed and ready, they have the best chance of resisting an attack. Mass shooters target gun-free zones. The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. More gun-free zones will invite and protect criminals, while accomplishing the exact opposite of protecting the public and families.
This bill will contribute to the supply side of gun violence, ensuring people will be forced to leave firearms in cars where they can be stolen. The bill disarms good people and gives criminals more opportunities to steal firearms.
The Supreme Court has held the right to self-defense extends beyond the home. This bill ignores the Constitution and is a clear infringement of a fundamental right.
The bill disregards lawful use of firearms and treats all as criminals. This law will discourage Washingtonians from accessing public spaces and exercising their rights, and will allow criminals to dominate public spaces. The bill will cost more lives than it saves.
Many facilities where certified firearm instructors provide training are located on government property or places where children are present.
This bill restricts not only firearms, but also knives.
This bill will impose substantial implementation costs on counties, including the drafting of ordinances, holding public hearings, taking legislative action, and paying for materials and labor costs. State law requires the state refrain from imposing costs on local governments without reimbursement. The bill should not be passed unless the Legislature provides resources to implement it, or it should be amended to require appropriated funding before it takes effect.
(In support) Senator Javier Valdez, prime sponsor; Sarah Rumbaugh, Council Member, City of Tacoma; Margaret Heldring, Grandmothers for Gun Responsibility; Betty Taylor; Julia Berus; Ann Madsen; Erin Cizmas; Jason Magdalena; Anne Auguiste; Cora Breuner, WA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; and Gwen Loosmore, WA PTA.
More than 20 persons signed in. Please contact the House Public Records Office at https://leg.wa.gov/public-records-requests/ or call (360) 786-0926.