AR pistol in Washington State

[SkinnyGrey]

I recently purchased an AR pistol in Washington State. I bought it with a Sig arm brace which I know is legal. I am aware that a vertical foregrip would make the pistol illegal, however I was wondering if there is anything else which would make this firearm non-compliant, i.e. suppressor, high-capacity magazine or drum, red dot sight, flashlight, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[silicosys4]

Well, if you are still in washington state you will need a tax stamp for a suppressor. That will take a really long time to get since they just approved sbr's as legal to own in Washington, and the backlog on NFA applications is reportedly a few years.

Fore grips are illegal on pistols afaik, unless it's the magpul angled grip.

Everything else you mentioned is fine.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

I already got the suppressor and the stamp.

 

[silicosys4]

My mistake, they just amended sbr laws, not suppressors, and that is causing the backlog in processing. Suppressors were already legal but with a long wait.
Sounds like a lot of fun though, a suppressed ar15 pistol with a drum magazine, arm brace, and red dot.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

And light. The 50 round drum mag will be legal for me to carry concealed?

 

[Theohazard]

The NFA backlog isn't even close to a few years and it never has been. Also, the BATFE examiners work for a region, not one specific state, so WA's new SBR laws aren't changing the backlog very much.

There aren't any laws against flashlights or magazine capacity in WA, so what makes you think you couldn't carry a pistol with a high-capacity magazine or a flashlight? But as for carrying an AR pistol concealed: Sure, with a CPL it might be legal, but it's a terrible idea. If you're ever caught by a cop, prepare to be arrested and detained for a while until he figures out that it's legal. Remember, just because it's legal doesn't mean it's a good idea. Why in the world would you want to carry an AR pistol concealed?

 

[SkinnyGrey]

I don't. However I do want to know exactly what would make my firearm non-compliant in the case I bring it somewhere in my car. It's not like I plan on walking around with it strapped to my body under an overcoat. But I do want to know what would change my firearm from a legally compliant weapon to a ticket to mandatory jail time.

 

[Mr.510]

You can put a suppressor, red dot, and flashlight on it, slam a drum in, and carry it concealed legally in Washington with a CPL. No problem at all... if you can figure out a way to physically do so! AR and AK pistols are very popular truck guns in this state as it's never legal to have a loaded long gun in a vehicle here. I was amazed at how accurate my friend's Draco is when pushed forward against a single point sling.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

MR.510, to clarify, it is illegal to have a loaded long gun in the car, not a handgun or AR pistol, right?

 

[Mr.510]

Correct. In Washington State you can only have a loaded handgun in a vehicle if you have a CPL. You cannot have a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle at all.

 

[rodinal220]

A lot of misinformation about AR pistols,especially since the SIG SB15 came out.

Unless your State or Local laws prohibit,take a look at this.Measure twice,cut once.

http://johnpierceesq.com/?p=602

 

[bikemutt]

MR.510, to clarify, it is illegal to have a loaded long gun in the car, not a handgun or AR pistol, right?

I asked a similar question and was advised that the loaded handgun must be able to be concealed on one's person. The source while credible, is not authoritative.

 

[Tirod]

I'm not a Washington state resident, but the pistol class of AR currently interests me.

Found this:

(2)(a) A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.050

I suspect the law is equally clear in my state. It goes to researching the specific statutes yourself in your jurisdiction to understand exactly where the patchwork quilt of laws applies.

At one time my state didn't allow CCW, and the municipality didn't allow open carry at all. Now it's totally reversed - but transportation laws are still restrictive. It should be obvious that someone allowed to conceal carry knows better, but in other situations simply having a firearm within easy reach is prohibited. One reason for that are those who hunt from vehicles by simply poking the weapon out the window and taking a shot from the road - which isn't restricted from being seasonal. It's a matter of year round opportunity, and may not even be of malicious intent if it's a rancher/farmer trying to hit a coyote harrassing his livestock.

Problem being that sometimes the incident is ill timed or a poor decision is made, and that creates the restriction on ALL of us. Like running a stop sign - out on a country road in broad daylight and excellent visibility for miles, some do. In other circumstances, not so much.

Whether you or I can carry a loaded AR15 pistol in the vehicle will likely go to it being "readily accessible" and if it's in some kind of case. So, you have to research your laws and interpret the case law and it's nuances in your jurisdiction to see if it's a problem for you.

And others who've posted they are toting their fold up AR15 pistol in the saddlebag of their motorcycle are making their decision. You may, or may not, be able to - but one thing is for sure, asking on the internet won't be a defense in court. You gotta find out your laws in your state for you, not what some guy like me in MO thinks.

Goes to: the OP bought the pistol in Washington State, his log in block suggests he lives in NY and CT. Are we advising him correctly, and what is exactly the state he lives in?

 

[Mr.510]

I asked a similar question and was advised that the loaded handgun must be able to be concealed on one's person. The source while credible, is not authoritative.

Tirod posted the RCW on this. A CPL holder in WA State can place a loaded handgun in a vehicle. If said person is not in the vehicle the weapon must be out of sight and the vehicle must be securely locked (meaning windows up, doors locked). I do this every time I visit the Post Office, leaving my loaded .45 in the car. The weapon can be readily accessible and ready to fire, it just has to be out of sight from outside the vehicle.

So A CPL holder in WA can legally load up an AK pistol, chamber a round, and slide it under the seat of his/her vehicle. So long as the vehicle is always locked when not occupied and no one else (without a CPL) has control of the vehicle the gun can stay there legally forever.