Where Is It Legal to Shoot Guns in Washington State

In Washington, police can temporarily seize weapons from people a judge deems a threat to themselves or others. Law enforcement officials can alert psychiatrists who can determine if a person poses a threat or needs involuntary treatment. The police must notify any family or household member who wants to know that a firearm will be returned to the person from whom it was confiscated. [8] [9] [10] There are places where the possession or storage of firearms or ammunition is prohibited or otherwise restricted. The law prohibits firearms in places such as construction zones used for court proceedings, certain areas of public mental health facilities, facilities that serve alcohol and are closed to persons under the age of 21, restricted areas of commercial airports, state correctional facilities, and outdoor music festivals. Administrative law prohibits or otherwise restricts the possession or storage of firearms in places such as certain schools, administrative hearing offices, daycares, horse racing, near certain explosive materials, and certain recreational or youth shelters. See the Washington infobox or one of the documents referenced in this section for the full list, as well as exceptions that apply to those holding secret gun licenses. Washington State law also provides exceptions to secret gun permits. CWR 9.41.060, section 8: “Any person who engages in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking or horseback riding only if, having regard to all the circumstances accompanying the person, including, but not limited to, holding a valid hunting or fishing licence, it has reasonably concluded that it is engaged in lawful outdoor activities or is travelling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area. [18] A handful came from hunting or shooting. Some were solemn shots fired in the air. There is no database of stray bullet shots, but the University of California, Davis recently tried to search for them.

Between 2008 and 2009, 284 stray bullets were found in the United States, injuring or killing 317 people. Most were bullets from shootings or gang fights that the victims had nothing to do with. Washington secret pistol permits are recognized in the following states, and secret weapons licenses issued in the listed states are recognized in Washington State as long as the handgun is carried in accordance with Washington law: Idaho (enhanced Idaho license only), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan (non-resident secret pistol permits issued by Washington State are not recognized by Michigan), North Carolina, North Dakota (North Dakota Class 1 license only), Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota (South Dakota enhanced license only). The extended license limited from 18 to 20 years is not recognized by Washington) and Utah. [17] The shot that killed 23-year-old Alyssa Smith came from more than half a mile from a group of five people firing where it is legal. They were not in a no-shooting zone. The person who fired the shot may be held civilly or criminally liable if it is determined that the shooter acted negligently. Cities and counties all have no-shoot zones that cover their urban areas, so you can`t just shoot a gun in your backyard unless it`s for self-defense or protection.

Generally, a person in Washington State can legally carry anywhere it is legal to possess a loaded handgun, as long as they do not “show intent to intimidate others or warrant an alarm for the safety of others.” To place a loaded handgun in a vehicle (e.g. car, bus, etc.) To carry open, a person must hold a valid concealed pistol licence. The city`s county sheriff or police chief issues a secret gun permit to any applicant 21 years of age or older who meets certain requirements, including no criminal convictions, no convictions for domestic violence, and no outstanding arrest warrants. [6] [7] The open carrying of firearms is not prohibited by state law. Seattle and Edmonds have issued orders requiring firearms to be stored safely when not carried or in use. The Seattle order also requires reporting lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours. Both cities are being prosecuted for violating the State`s right of first refusal. [23] [24] The Edmonds Regulation was repealed in October 2019. [25] But if you are on private property and follow these rules, state law has very few restrictions.

But once you get into rural areas, county councils have to create their own no-shoot zones where they think guns and the zone just don`t go together. There are 22 such areas in Whatcom County. “Even within a firing range, there may be permitted exceptions, such as a designated area or a scenario where there is target training,” Deputy Sheriff Parks said. While Whatcom County is still trying to figure out who fired the shot and whether we should charge that person, we`ve been thinking about the rules of where and when you can shoot your gun. Robert Lee, 23, of Bellingham, and Douglas Quiding Jr., 40, of Ferndale, were charged with the lost shooting in Whatcom County, but not the death of Alyssa Smith. Both are accused of being criminals in possession of a firearm. The district attorney`s office is still deciding whether someone should be charged with his death. Washington is a “Stand Your Ground” state where there is no obligation to retreat, given what is perceived by an ordinary person as a threat to himself or others by another person likely to cause serious injury or death. It is a serious offence to point a firearm “loaded or unloaded, at or at a human being”.

If the person does not act in self-defense, they can be accused of “swinging” and threatening someone with a deadly weapon. [19] Washington State law is very clear. You cannot fire your gun if you are within 500 feet of homes or businesses. You can`t shoot on roads or paths, and you can`t be reckless or careless. In one case, a man was sitting at his dining table when a gunshot from a hunter struck him more than 700 feet away, killing him. The shooter was convicted of manslaughter. Outside of this study, I found a 2010 case in which a 4-year-old boy sitting at his parents` feet during a service was hit and killed when a New Year`s shot went through the ceiling of the church and hit him in the head.