WA motor vehicle carry rule change?

[AlaskaMan]

To the Mods,
sorry if LEGAL isn't the right place to have started this.

Just noticed that there is a proposed rule change underway regarding Washington's carry in a motor vehicle.

It would appear that the proposed change would now criminalize the carriage of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.

"14. Amends RCW 77.15.460 to make it a crime to possess a loaded firearm in or on a motor vehicle or to unlawfully use a loaded firearm from within a motor vehicle or from or on a nonhighway vehicle as defined in
RCW 46.09.310".
http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2011/08/aug0611_2012_ request_leg_prop.pdf

There is a public meeting scheduled at 0830
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
August 5-6, 2011
Natural Resources Building
First Floor, Room 172
1111 Washington St SE
Olympia, Washington 98501

 

[bikemutt]

This could be very dangerous, the original RCW applies to rifles and shotguns, this proposed amendment says firearms. I always have a loaded handgun right beside my carry permit, what are they thinking here?

RCW 77.15.460
Loaded firearm in vehicle — Unlawful use or possession — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle if:

(a) The person carries, transports, conveys, possesses, or controls a rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle; and

(b) The rifle or shotgun contains shells or cartridges in the magazine or chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.

(2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if the person negligently shoots a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway.

(3) Unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle or unlawful use of a loaded firearm is a misdemeanor.

(4) This section does not apply if the person:

(a) Is a law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a firearm and is on duty within the officer's respective jurisdiction;

(b) Possesses a disabled hunter's permit as provided by RCW 77.32.237 and complies with all rules of the department concerning hunting by persons with disabilities.

(5) For purposes of this section, a firearm shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the firearm.


[1999 c 258 § 7; 1998 c 190 § 28.]

 

[bikemutt]

From another board I learned that what F&W is trying to do here is to include ATVs in with public road vehicles. They want to make it unlawful to possess or use a loaded rifle or shotgun while riding on an ATV.

The cited RCW defines firearm as rifle or shotgun.

This does not appear to be an effort to curb lawful handgun possession while in a vehicle.

 

[Dave Workman]

It certainly better not be, else they will be tangling with me.