Washington state handgun laws

Gnarboot · February 12, 2017, 04:46 PM

After 2 solid hours of reading I am at a bit of a loss. Not only are the laws hard to read and understand, but I just cant find anything similar to my situation. Long story short, my buddy came to visit me in king county he came up from Clark county. He brought some of his guns and we went shooting. One of his handguns got put away in my bag. He has since went home. Now i am in possession of his handgun. My question is, am i now breaking the law? My second question is, how much trouble can i get in if i got caught driving down to return it to him?

**Aguila Blanca** · February 12, 2017, 05:01 PM

Put it in a locked box and mail him the key. Let him come up and retrieve it.

Your question, unfortunately, contains your answer. It was in his possession, it is now in your possession. Under Washington's new law, a transfer has taken place. IANAL, but I think if you lock it up and then send him the key, you have possession of the case but you don't have constructive possession of the firearm, so you might be okay.

Niner4Tango · February 12, 2017, 05:19 PM

Hi Gnarboot,

You are both in violation of I594. You can find the new law here, Sec. 3 page 7. https://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections...alText_483.pdf

Violation of Sec. 3 is a Gross Misdemeanor. Max is one year in jail, $5000 fine. Here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.20.021

Your buddy should drive up and retrieve his forgotten pistol immediately.

**44 AMP** · February 12, 2017, 10:28 PM

Congratulations and/or condolences, you might wind up the test case.

First off, let's be clear, no matter how we may personally feel about 594, until and unless it is repealed or struck down, it IS the law.

ANY SUGGESTION TO VIOLATE EXISTING LAW IS AGAINST FORUM RULES!!!!

GET A LAWYER. Follow their advice.

And, at this point, I would recommend suspending all discussion of your situation in public forums, until you have talked to a lawyer.
your call.

Al Norris · February 13, 2017, 11:15 AM

And with that, I think it best to close this thread.

February 12, 2017, 04:46 PM	#1
Gnarboot Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2017 Posts: 1	Washington state handgun laws After 2 solid hours of reading I am at a bit of a loss. Not only are the laws hard to read and understand, but I just cant find anything similar to my situation. Long story short, my buddy came to visit me in king county he came up from Clark county. He brought some of his guns and we went shooting. One of his handguns got put away in my bag. He has since went home. Now i am in possession of his handgun. My question is, am i now breaking the law? My second question is, how much trouble can i get in if i got caught driving down to return it to him?

February 12, 2017, 05:19 PM	#3
Niner4Tango Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 287	Hi Gnarboot, You are both in violation of I594. You can find the new law here, Sec. 3 page 7. https://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections...alText_483.pdf Violation of Sec. 3 is a Gross Misdemeanor. Max is one year in jail, $5000 fine. Here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.20.021 Your buddy should drive up and retrieve his forgotten pistol immediately. Last edited by Niner4Tango; February 12, 2017 at 05:25 PM.

February 12, 2017, 10:28 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,832	Congratulations and/or condolences, you might wind up the test case. First off, let's be clear, no matter how we may personally feel about 594, until and unless it is repealed or struck down, it IS the law. ANY SUGGESTION TO VIOLATE EXISTING LAW IS AGAINST FORUM RULES!!!! GET A LAWYER. Follow their advice. And, at this point, I would recommend suspending all discussion of your situation in public forums, until you have talked to a lawyer. your call. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 12, 2017, 05:01 PM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,466	Put it in a locked box and mail him the key. Let him come up and retrieve it. Your question, unfortunately, contains your answer. It was in his possession, it is now in your possession. Under Washington's new law, a transfer has taken place. IANAL, but I think if you lock it up and then send him the key, you have possession of the case but you don't have constructive possession of the firearm, so you might be okay.

February 13, 2017, 11:15 AM	#5
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	And with that, I think it best to close this thread.