Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits open carry of firearms 250 feet near the state capitol or public demonstrations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits open-carry weapons in the following public demonstrations (Sec. 1):

• Restricted access areas of a jail, or a law enforcement facility; 

• Areas in any building which are used for court proceedings, such as courtrooms, jury rooms, judge’s chambers, offices and areas used to conduct court business, waiting areas, and corridors adjacent to areas used in connection with court proceedings; 

• Restricted access areas of a public mental health facility; and

• Commercial service airports.

• Requires the local judicial authority to designate and mark areas where weapons are prohibited and shall post notices at each entrance of the building (pg. 2).

• Specifies that it is unlawful for any person to knowingly open carry a firearm or any weapon while participating in or attending any demonstration being held at a public place or open carry a firearm within 1,000 ft of a demonstration at a public place (pg. 3).

• Classifies state and local law enforcement officers as exclusions to this bill (pg. 3).

• Prohibits any person other than local and state law enforcement officers to knowingly open carry a firearm or other weapons on state capitol grounds, in any state legislative office, or at any location of a public legislative hearing or meeting during the hearing or meeting (pg. 6).

• Defines any person in violation of Sections 1 and 2 as guilty of a gross misdemeanor (pg. 6).

Full Bill Text