Washington State CCW laws....

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Iansstud

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Hey guys Im sure this has been beat to death... Here it goes...

Im new to the CCW world or CPL as they call it here. I wish it came with a booklet with the rules and where you can/ cant go... I have been looking alot at different sites on the InterWeb and I have read a few laws on this, but That dosent mean I fully understand them...

I turned the parts Im confused about to red...

Places off-limits when carrying:

Washington defines a number of places you cannot carry:
1. Any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law
2. Public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas/facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools (RCW 9.41.280)
3. On the site of an "outdoor music festival" (RCW 70.108.150)

4. Restricted access areas of a jail, or of a law enforcement facility, or any place used for the confinement of a person (RCW 9.41.300)

5. Areas in any building which are used in connection with court proceedings, including courtrooms, jury rooms, judge's chambers, offices, etc. (RCW 9.41.300)
6. The restricted access areas of a public mental health facility certified by the department of social and health services for inpatient hospital care and state institutions for the care of the mentally ill, excluding those facilities solely for evaluation and treatment (RCW 9.41.300)
7. Any portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age (RCW 9.41.300)
Please see RCW 9.41.300 for additional areas and more detailed descriptions of the restricted carry areas above.
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#1 Is there a Actual list somewhere about this telling what is off limits...

does #7 mean no carry into bars? Thats what I assume... or is it Liquor stores?

If I did have to go somewhere and it was off limits, how big of a deal are we talking?
 
Places that are forbidden by federal law are places like Federal Courts, Post Office, the secure areas of the airport, NPS or NFS buildings, and the like.

“Any portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age” are places where you see a sign that forbids anyone under 21 from entering. This is less confusing than it might appear. You can carry, openly (without a CPL) or concealed (with a CPL) in places that serve alcohol as long as you do not enter the ‘bar area’. The ‘bar area’ is usually defined by some sort of barrier like a short wall, and the entrance will be marked by a sign forbidding entry to anyone under 21 years of age. Applebees is a good example. The ‘bar area’ is well defined. As long as you sit in the restaurant area, you can carry openly or concealed.

You cannot carry at all in places like taverns and bars where you can’t bring your children. Now, in some places you may see the sign banning firearms or under 21 right at the front door, yet still see children eating with their families inside, but outside the defined ‘bar area’. You can still carry there as long as you stay out of the ‘bar area’. You can point out the error to the manager or better yet, the Liquor Control Board, and they will ensure the restaurant moves the sign to the proper location.

Your children can accompany you into the liquor store so your sidearm can as well, again openly or concealed.
 
so, No bars, or "Bar Area's", postoffices, or courts...

Thanks Thats kindof what I was thinking but I wanted a 2nd opinion.
 
You cannot enter a Military Airbase or other Federal Property while armed. A VA Hospital is another example of Federal Property.

In our state we can carry into a Red Lobster Eatery that has a bar portion in one corner (We cannot go into that area) but we can carry into the food area in another part of the building.

However.... the building's door is clearly marked with a sign showing no handgun allowed at least 10 feet away.

Hang in there, enjoy the learning process and keep asking questions. I dont know it all myself and still learning from the reams of laws in relation to murder, defense, offense and assault, manslaughter, homicide etc as issued by my CCW class.
 
However.... the building's door is clearly marked with a sign showing no handgun allowed at least 10 feet away.
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I have no idea what this sentence is supposed to mean.

If it was part of the paragraph about Red Lobster, then the sign on the door is legally meaningless. The management can prefer that you not carry in the restaurant but there is no law that forbids you from doing so. I’ve carried openly in that and other restaurants in Tacoma and Seattle and was never asked to leave.
 
Not to derail the thread, in my state some business must have clearly marked a prohibitation against weapons on the property on the door. This little tidbit is under discussion as to legality or other issues. The worse that can happen is that they ask you to leave or have the law called and let them sort it out.

But sticking with Federal and State installations, most certianly you are not allowed to conceal carry usually.
 
Federal and State property are completely different animals. I carried openly the last time I renewed my driver’s license, and carried openly to the courthouse when I renewed my CPL (I was required to check it at the door of the courthouse. The law requires they provide secure storage).
 
I believe there is also a provision in Washington for picking up or dropping off kids at school while carry concealed.
 
Yes. You can carry your concealed pistol with you when you drop off or pick up your children at school. You cannot go into the building and I believe you cannot leave it hidden in the car while you go inside. I have no school age children so I haven’t studied that portion of the law.

I think (opinion only here) that this was meant as a safety provision for the children. Under the old rule, if you were carrying you would have to drop the kids off in front of the school, and make them walk in. With all the car traffic in front of a school it didn’t seem very safe. Likewise the rule change on liquor stores. If I’m not mistaken, a parent couldn’t bring their children inside the liquor store while they shopped, forcing a parent to leave them in the car or waiting out front. The rule was either changed in the last few years or merely clarified to allow children inside.
 
The OP also asked about penalties. You should really look further into the site that you found the original information on (penalties are usually just a little farther down than the rules).

Some places, virtually all infractions are felonies, even in 'gun friendly' places like Ohio. Violating a private property gun ban sign in Minnesota, however, is at worst a $25 ticket with immediate return of the firearm. However, in MN, I wouldn't count on the same $25 ticket if I tried to carry into a courtroom. Be careful. There is absolutely no substitue for reading the law yourself!

Also, don't forget that on federal property, it's federal rules, no matter the state.
 
The OP also asked about penalties. You should really look further into the site that you found the original information on (penalties are usually just a little farther down than the rules).

Some places, virtually all infractions are felonies, even in 'gun friendly' places like Ohio. Violating a private property gun ban sign in Minnesota, however, is at worst a $25 ticket with immediate return of the firearm. However, in MN, I wouldn't count on the same $25 ticket if I tried to carry into a courtroom. Be careful. There is absolutely no substitue for reading the law yourself!

Also, don't forget that on federal property, it's federal rules, no matter the state.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I was more interested when I have to pick up the kids at school... or Run into the bank...

I wouldent take a gun into a Gvn't building... I happent to like my rights:D

Thanks to all for the great replys!!! Im not new to guns, but I am new to ccw but feel like lately with the way the world is going Its long over due.
 
"Thanks, I was more interested when I have to pick up the kids at school... or Run into the bank...

I wouldent take a gun into a Gvn't building... I happent to like my rights

Thanks to all for the great replys!!! Im not new to guns, but I am new to ccw but feel like lately with the way the world is going Its long over due."

You can carry on you, or have it in the car when you pick up or drop off your kids... You can store it concealed and loaded or unloaded in your locked vehicle also, if you have to go inside the building. You can physically get out of your car, and walk them to and from the building while CCW.

(1) It is unlawful for a person to carry onto, or to possess on, public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools:

Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

Any person in possession of a pistol who has been issued a license under RCW 9.41.070, or is exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW 9.41.060, while picking up or dropping off a student;

You CANNOT go inside the school building at all.... :banghead:

Except as provided in subsection (3)(b), (c), (f), and (h) of this section, firearms are not permitted in a public or private school building.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.280
 
Im new to the CCW world or CPL as they call it here. I wish it came with a booklet with the rules and where you can/ cant go... I have been looking alot at different sites on the InterWeb and I have read a few laws on this, but That dosent mean I fully understand them...
Click to expand...

Actually, there IS a booklet. Here it is...

http://www.danddgunleather.com/pages/washington_gun_rights.htm

Just about everything you have requested clarification on is covered. Also available is many local gun shops. Highly recommended.

-Paul
 
But sticking with Federal and State installations
Click to expand...

State installations are pre-empted by Washington's CPL law. They CANNOT restrict firearms carry in State government locations except for secure areas of law enforcement agencies, prisons, and courtrooms. Otherwise, areas such as Department of Licensing, the admin sections of WA State Trooper locatations, libraries, welfare offices (as long as it is state), unemployment offices, and liquor stores. Yes, all liquor stores (not on Indian Reservations) in Washington are actually state agencies and any 21 and over signs or no weapons signs at entrances to liquor stores are illegal and the state liquor board will direct their removal if brought to their attention.

The same is true for County and City government locations.
 
Nice!!!
State installations are pre-empted by Washington's CPL law. They CANNOT restrict firearms carry in State government locations except for secure areas of law enforcement agencies, prisons, and courtrooms. Otherwise, areas such as Department of Licensing, the admin sections of WA State Trooper locatations, libraries, welfare offices (as long as it is state), unemployment offices, and liquor stores. Yes, all liquor stores (not on Indian Reservations) in Washington are actually state agencies and any 21 and over signs or no weapons signs at entrances to liquor stores are illegal and the state liquor board will direct their removal if brought to their attention.
Click to expand...

Good to know!!
 
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