Carrying on snowmobile

[oldkim]

This came out in another thread but I thought it deserves its own thread. I don’t snowmobile so never even thought to look.

I mean recreational activities mostly actually promote carry... so seems counter.

I can see the carryover to cover long guns for sure. Many laws to cover that in cars/truck by Dept fish/wildlife.

But here we are...



It appears it was voted in 2003 and went into effect in 2004. So it appears one cannot Legally carry a pistol even with CPL on a snowmobile.

Road hunting law that runs into a carry law.
Since 2003 I believe. I always used to carry one.
Never saw a game warden riding around out there.
Still, would recommend concealed carry and keep your mouth shut if you ever run into one.


RCW 46.10.130

(1) No person shall operate a snowmobile in such a way as to endanger human life.

(2) No person shall operate a snowmobile in such a way as to run down or harass deer, elk, or any wildlife, or any domestic animal, nor shall any person carry any loaded weapon upon, nor hunt from, any snowmobile except by permit issued by the director of fish and wildlife under RCW 77.32.237.

(3) Any person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

[Guntrader]

Like I said, road hunting laws in conflict with legal firearm carry laws.
I'm exempt anyhow.
Sold my Skidoo MXZ 670 short track in about 2005, haven't been keeping up on the laws.
Had a trailer for it too.


Miss that thing. Had motor work done.
That two stroke 2 cylinder would bring that thing almost straight up.
Went over 110 MPH, bent a ski once on the Colockum running over buried stumps.
Wondered why everyone was slowing down. Hahaha
Kinda miss it, but I live on the wrong side of the pass to have a snowmobile.

[Eagle Chaplain]

So that RCW hasn't existed for over 15 years.





Unfortunately the law still exists as 46.10.495 and reads the same.

[Massivedesign]

Like I said, road hunting laws in conflict with legal firearm carry laws.
I'm exempt anyhow.

How are you exempt?

[RocketScott]

So that RCW hasn't existed for over 15 years.

Unfortunately the law still exists as 46.10.495 and reads the same.

Point 1

"nor shall any person carry any loaded weapon upon" sounds to me like you can't mount a gun to the snowmobile

If you're carrying a pistol on your person then it's upon you, and then you're upon the snowmobile. If it said "carry any loaded weapon while upon" I'd say it's clear that you can't be armed. As it stands there is room for debate

Point 2

The RCW covering carrying in a vehicle say that it is legal with a CPL. Snowmobiles are by definition a vehicle. It's legal to carry "in" one. Not sure what better wording they could have used, obviously motorcycles also don't qualify as a vehicle you get "in" but the law still applies

Point 3

The other parts of 46.10.495(2) say:

"No person shall operate a snowmobile in such a way as to run down or harass deer, elk, or any wildlife, or any domestic animal"
"...nor hunt from, any snowmobile except by permit issued by the director of fish and wildlife under RCW 77.32.237."

It's pretty clear what the intent of the law is. If you're carrying a pistol for protection that's different from what this law is trying to stop