S-0056.1 2005 to Allow Suppressors in Washington State

[carnaby]

I found this while searching Washington State law on sound suppressors. It would have changed current law in Washington State back in 2005 to allow possession AND use of sound suppressors, on par with federal law. Currently, you may own a suppressor in Washington State, but never use it on a firearm. :banghead:

Anyone know about this bill from 2005, S-0056.1? It was sponsored by senator Hargrove, whom I know nothing about. Too bad, this would have been a step forward for Washington.

 

[Nightfall]

No SBRs, no SBSs, and now I find out no sound suppressors? Man, I am starting to dread my move there next year.

 

[Novus Collectus]

Ha, people complain about Maryland gun laws, but at least we can have everything NFA except explosives.
Figured Washington state would be less stringent, but I guess not. At least y'all have shall issue concealed carry.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

No SBRs, no SBSs, and now I find out no sound suppressors? Man, I am starting to dread my move there next year.

NFA issues is about the only bad thing about WA gunlaw.

CHL permit took about 15 minutes down at the courthouse to fill out some forms. No classes, no recommendations. $50 for (5) years, and it took only a week or two to receive my card. Not as good as Vermont, but a dang sight better than Texas ($140 smackers and two days of training).

Main problem w/ WA gunlaw: their reciprocity is sorely lacking. I emailed the AG about it, never heard back. Perhaps some WA folks could organize a write-in campaign to the AG? I hear ink is far more effective than email.

One of my favorite THR moments was when one single member wrote an email to the Montana (IIRC) AG asking them to establish reciprocity with North Dakota (IIRC). Both states had a "we'll give to anyone who gives reciprocity to us" law, but neither had a provision to be first. Basically had a big "who blinks first" game going. One single THR member managed to get the offices into contact with each other, and they jointly agreed to simultanously establish reciprocity.

A small victory, but took one single THR member less than an hour's worth of emailing.

 

[carnaby]

At least y'all have shall issue concealed carry.

True, and it's better even than Matthew writes. We essentially have open carry too, and you can carry concealed without a license provided you are in route to, from, or actively participating in a "legitimate outdoor activity."

NFA is where we suck. No machine guns, but at least you can own a suppressor. Then if you ever make it to Idaho or Oregon you can use it. Hopefully this will change. I'm still wondering why it didn't pass in the above mentioned legislation. Even Finland changed things to require no registration at all for suppressors. They did a big study and realized it would have no negative impact on crime, including poaching, which was supposedly the reason they passed it here in the USA during the great depression.

I'm trying to figure out if I can make something, and use it, that directs the muzzle blast away from me, and takes it down just a couple decibels to help save my ears. I figure that would probably get me landed in the clink. Pointless laws like these suck.

 

[wacki]

No SBRs, no SBSs,

SBS? The steyr bolt action or something else? What is SBR?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

SBS? The steyr bolt action or something else? What is SBR?

Short-barreled shotgun, short-barreled rifle.

We have open carry in WA? Why did nobody tell me this when I was living in Seattle?

Here in TX, we have no Open Carry. Some folks are working on this (see my sigline).

-MV

 

[Powderman]

No SBR/SBS in WA? I'm not too sure on that one.

I know that any full auto is verboten--no one can own one, not even cops. I also know that you can own suppressors--but you can't put them on a firearm. (Insert serious "***?!?" moment here.)

But to the best of my knowledge, SBR's and SBS are not restricted, beyond the usual plethora of Federal law.

If someone who is well versed on WA State firearms law can comment further, I would welcome it.

EDIT: Never mind, it was right in front of me. Here it is:

"(1) It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, own, buy, sell, loan, furnish, transport, or have in possession or under control, any machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle; or any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in a machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, or in converting a weapon into a machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle; or to assemble or repair any machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle.

(2) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Any peace officer in the discharge of official duty or traveling to or from official duty, or to any officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or the state of Washington in the discharge of official duty or traveling to or from official duty; or

(b) A person, including an employee of such person if the employee has undergone fingerprinting and a background check, who or which is exempt from or licensed under federal law, and engaged in the production, manufacture, repair, or testing of machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, or short-barreled rifles:

(i) To be used or purchased by the armed forces of the United States;

(ii) To be used or purchased by federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies; or

(iii) For exportation in compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations.

(3) It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution brought under this section that the machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle was acquired prior to July 1, 1994, and is possessed in compliance with federal law.
(4) Any person violating this section is guilty of a class C felony."

I guess the only sunshine in this is Section 3. That sucks.

 

[carnaby]

The really sucky thing is that building a simple suppressor would be so easy. But then you got the dumb federal tax, and then they aren't allowed to be used in Washington. ARgh!

My ears would sure appreciate it.

 

[Gray Peterson]

We have open carry in WA? Why did nobody tell me this when I was living in Seattle?

Because it's been "officially suppressed" for years.

 

[SoCalShooter]

The slime from the DPRK is oozing over to WA I see now, well defend it while you can.

 

[FourTeeFive]

It has actually improved in WA over the years

I know a lot of people want to think this is something caused by a change in the state politics, but it has been like this for years. I remember mid 70's asking about suppressors and it was completely verboten. Only recently were you allowed to own one (yes, it is ludicrous that you can't mount it or use it, but that's another story). So if anything the gun laws have actually gotten better here (relative to federal law). Makes one wonder what happened to cause suppressors to suddenly be legal. In general Washington is a fairly gun-friendly state. But it has always had bans on Class III weaponry. I remember all of this because our neighbor to the south, Oregon, is Class III heaven. Not quite sure why that is the case, but lucky for them! And I think Oregon is one of the few switchblade-friendly states as well.

On another note, I have seen short barrel shotguns at Wade's in Bellevue. Silly price tags, but they are there. I remember years ago looking into an Ithaca Witness Protection Special and it just wasn't possible. So, perhaps the laws on SBS have changed?