Weapons Prohibited in Designated Places. It is a gross misdemeanor offense for any person to enter the following places while knowingly possessing a weapon:
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Signage must be posted at reasonable intervals along the perimeter of the above locations alerting the public of any law restricting the possession of firearms on the premises.?
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These restrictions do not apply to:
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The prohibition against carrying weapons in the restricted access areas of jails and law enforcement facilities does not apply to persons who maintain a valid concealed pistol license so long as the person, upon entering the facility, promptly receives written permission to possess the firearm or checks the firearm in with the facility.
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The prohibition against carrying weapons in the restricted access areas of certain public health facilities does not apply to the facility employees or any person who, upon entering, promptly obtains written permission to possess the firearm.
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The prohibition against carrying weapons at taverns and other places designated off-limits to persons under age 21 does not apply to the proprietor or employees of the business while engaged in their employment.
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The prohibition against carrying weapons at certain zoos and aquariums does not apply to employees of the facilities while engaged in their employment so long as the weapon is owned by the facility and maintained for the purpose of protecting its employees, animals, or the visiting public.
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The prohibition against carrying weapons at libraries, certain zoos and aquariums, and transit stations and facilities do not apply to persons who maintain a valid concealed pistol license, or the activities of color guards and honor guards related to burial or interment ceremonies.
Weapons Prohibitions. New locations are added to the list of locations where it is a gross misdemeanor to enter while knowingly possessing a weapon.
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Weapons are prohibited on the premises of a city's, town's, county's or other municipality's neighborhood, community, or regional park facilities at which children are likely to be present. Local authorities must designate the park facilities within its boundaries where children are likely to be present. Such facilities 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.
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Weapons are prohibited on the premises of state or local public buildings where "state or local public building" means a building or part of a building owned, leased, held or used by the governmental entity if public employees are regularly present for the purposes of performing their official duties and is not regularly used, and not intended to be used, as a place of residence. State and local public buildings do not include Washington State Department of Transportation properties and facilities such as:
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In such areas weapons must remain in locked cases or remain in a locked portion of a vehicle.
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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.
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Signage. The requirement to post signage is amended to require all locations where weapons are prohibited to, as soon as practicable, post signs at common public access points rather than at reasonable intervals alerting the public to the prohibition against carrying weapons.
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Exemptions. The newly added weapons prohibitions at park facilities where children are likely to be present, state or local public buildings, and county fairs do not apply to the activities of color guards and honor guards related to burial or interment ceremonies or individuals who maintain a valid concealed pistol license.
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Definition. The definition of weapon is amended to mean any firearm, explosive as defined in statute, or any instrument of the kind usually known as slungshot, sand club, 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 committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.?PRO:?This is a necessary step to enhance public safety in Washington. These locations are often bustling with people which makes the dangers of firearms particularly acute. Prohibiting firearms at these locations will stop preventable tragedies. This is about protecting lives. Access to firearms increases the likelihood an argument turns deadly. This will create public spaces where family can gather free from the threat of gun violence. This closes a gap in current law. Young people are avoiding parks because of the fear of gun violence. Washington youth deserve the opportunity to enjoy public spaces without the fear of gun violence. Firearms have no place in these public places and only increases the risk of violence, intimidation, and trauma. We all deserve to live in a world free from gun violence. Gun violence is devastating and often leads to irreparable harms. Studies show, restricting weapons in public places leads to a reduction in gun violence. This is a meaningful step ensuring these locations are as safe as possible for kids and families. No one should have to worry that a minor altercation will become deadly just because someone is armed.
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CON:?The open carry of firearms at these locations poses no actual criminal threat, and concealed pistol license holders rarely commit crimes. The public will not know which buildings are owned or leased by the government and may violate this law by simply going into the wrong building. Survivors of crimes just want to live normal lives and this includes the right to protect themselves. Firearms level the fight between women and their attackers. This bill will allow local governments to create a nearly limitless number of gun free zones with little or no oversight. This guarantees people will leave more guns in their cars which will lead to more stolen guns and more gun crimes. Lawful gun owners are not the problem. While this is well intentioned, such a blanket ban on weapons will infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Disarming citizens does not enhance safety, and those who will use a gun against the law will not comply with these prohibitions. This will prevent domestic violence survivors from protecting their families. Law-abiding citizens should be allowed to carry firearms to protect themselves and families.
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OTHER: While it is important to keep Washingtonians safe, rather than mandate additional statewide restrictions, these decisions should be made at the local community level. These restrictions may make sense in urban areas, most of Washington is not urban. This will also create a large cost for local governments.
PRO: Amy Bailey; Sarah Rumbaugh, Council Member, City of Tacoma; Margaret Heldring, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence; Halle Norenberg, Students Demand Action; Gwen Loosmore, WA PTA; Mahiki Malldi; Robert Schentrup, Brady; Neal Black, Kirkland City Council Member; Ann Madsen, Moms Demand Action; Paula Barnes; AP Diaz, City of Seattle; Michael Noack.