Washington State Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Carry

[Benja455]

The pistol doesn't actually have to be on your person in the vehicle. That's a misinterpretation of the RCW.

[JangusMc]

Skagit Valley Hospital and the Skagit Regional Clinics have a sign stating that firearms are prohibited on all doors. There used to be an RCW referenced on the bottom, but it is now covered up. Can anyone speak on the legality of carrying there? I am a CPL holder, but typically open carry. I have made an exception for this place in the past at my wife's request and CC'd instead. Was I in violation, or does state preemption make their sign irrelevant? My wife said she didn't want to get booted from doctors appointments for our children because I have something to prove to a sign, but I'll he damned if I'll let a sign tell me what to do. Thoughts?

[Massivedesign]

You may have been in violation of the Hospital rules, but you were not in violation of state law. A lot of places put up an "RCW'd" sign, when the RCW doesn't apply to them, or only applies to a small part of the facility (if they have a mental health ward, state law against carry applies there, in that specific area).

So, since it is private property, they can set their own rules. If you get caught, they have the right to ask you to leave.

[Seragoth]

The pistol doesn't actually have to be on your person in the vehicle. That's a misinterpretation of the RCW.

I've been wondering about this. I'm waiting for a crossbreed holster because the cheapo I have now makes it a bit of a pain
to conceal while I'm driving. I asked an employee at Skagit Arms in Burlington (great guys, great place to buy) and he smiled
and said it depends on the officer, but he mentioned something about a loophole and that it is indeed legal to have it loaded,
laying on the seat next to you or wherever, providing you have your CPL and it's just you in the vehicle.

Honestly I'm not sure if I want to find out. He was firm about officers who would tell you it be on your person,
and the way he said it, well it sounded like the voice of experience.

[ANZAC]

It isn't a loophole, it is the law.

[gogodawgs]

The pistol may be anywhere in the vehicle, even duct taped to your forehead...

Read the Washington State Law Enforcement Digest....

https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/images ... _index.pdf

Located on Page 30

[golddigger14s]

If you have a CPL, you can have it locked and loaded anywhere in the vehicle. I say vehicle, because you need to have a CPL to carry on a bus/ferry/bicycle/motorcycle even if you are "OC". No CPL, then anywhere in car unloaded. No requirement to have gun in front seat, and ammo in trunk etc.

[Archerdog]

As a new resident to Washington, I have already received my WA state drivers license and vehicle registration showing my legal address here. Do I need to wait 90 days to apply for a resident CPL? The language on the website seems kind of vague regarding new residents. To me, it reads either wait 90 days or present your license as proof of WA state residency. I don't want to waste the $52 or a trip and have them tell me to come back in 2 months.

[oldkim]

You’ll need to bring all of the following when you apply:
Valid, government-issued photo identification (for example, Washington driver license or ID card).
If you don’t have a Washington State driver license or ID card, you must provide proof you have lived in the state for at least the last 90 days.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms ... alreq.html

Since you have a WA Driver License (WADL)... you are good to go. It's only when you don't have the WADL/WAID


Go apply... at a location near you.

[Schibles11]

Here's a new one, I owed a buddy some money and went to his work legally CC. He said it is considered a "community garden" but basically they sell medical marijuana. There is no 21 and up rule by the ATF but he said the whole place is gun free. (He also has his cpl but is not as interested in laws as I am). He said if the feds had conducted a raid I would be facing serious prison time. Note* he invited me in even after I declined and showed no interest in pot or the growing/sales of it. I just want to figure out what is truth and what is bullshit. (He also told me cabellas was against open carry, not true)

[Massivedesign]

Here's a new one, I owed a buddy some money and went to his work legally CC. He said it is considered a "community garden" but basically they sell medical marijuana. There is no 21 and up rule by the ATF but he said the whole place is gun free. (He also has his cpl but is not as interested in laws as I am). He said if the feds had conducted a raid I would be facing serious prison time. Note* he invited me in even after I declined and showed no interest in pot or the growing/sales of it. I just want to figure out what is truth and what is bullshit. (He also told me cabellas was against open carry, not true)

Ask him to show you where in the RCW's Prohibited Places his establishment is included. As far as the Feds... Last time I checked, standing in a business isn't a crime.

[lamrith]

Here's a new one, I owed a buddy some money and went to his work legally CC. He said it is considered a "community garden" but basically they sell medical marijuana. There is no 21 and up rule by the ATF but he said the whole place is gun free. (He also has his cpl but is not as interested in laws as I am). He said if the feds had conducted a raid I would be facing serious prison time. Note* he invited me in even after I declined and showed no interest in pot or the growing/sales of it. I just want to figure out what is truth and what is bullshit. (He also told me cabellas was against open carry, not true)

Touching on this and the alcohol/bar thing. The way I heard it was no carry anyplace the Liquor Control board deemed 21 and over. While typically that is the reason for the designation, but technically alcohol does not have to be being served, it all comes down to what the Board decides is a 21 and over area? Is that correct?

As an example, bar closed/after hours, you could not help your bartender buddy unload a shipment, or perform maintenance and be in the bar with your firearm. The Serving of alcohol is not a condition of the ban..

[Massivedesign]

As an example, bar closed/after hours, you could not help your bartender buddy unload a shipment, or perform maintenance and be in the bar with your firearm. The Serving of alcohol is not a condition of the ban..

Yes you can. There are plenty of exemptions for Bar owners to allow both firearms and people under 21 into the establishment.

[Schibles11]

But from what he described it is not age restricter at all. You could be 16 and walk in there technically, but they can't sell anything to you. What I really think is that the owner is afraid some desperate person will rob them. They have steel doors and CCTV cameras. Either way I think he was just passing along bad info. Just wondering if anyone else had some more knowledge on this subject.

[golddigger14s]

Then from what it sounds like is just like a liquor store. I can carry in a liquor store, but my kids can accompany me. The no carry applies to where someone (under 21) even accompanied is not allowed. Also ANY business can have their own no carry rules, just like COSTCO.