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You are legal to carry and or transport a firearm if you are heading out to fish... Have a current fishing license and a pole and you are "good-to-go"...
You are legal to carry and or transport a firearm if you are heading out to fish... Have a current fishing license and a pole and you are "good-to-go"...
Washington's laws give the right to carry firearms used for self protection against dangerous animals when in the "woods". (I was told this by a State Patrol officer some years ago.) As far as in your vehicle when camping goes, I would think discretion and the rule of 12 vs. 6 would apply.
IMO once parked and you're "camping", it has become your abode and should be legal to have a loaded weapon..
I'm not a lawyer!
Yes it's become your abode, but that seems like a touchy subject, since it is your vehicle as well.
It's all about what defines vehicle as vehicle and abode as abode. Many RV's cannot drive with they are all extended and all that fancy stuff, so maybe if it's "disabled", if you will, it's an abode.
I'm only an armchair lawyer so don't take my word for it.
My step father is a retired Sheriff's Deputy here in Washington, and he said... "Carry open outside. Loaded in a vehicle is fine as long as it's cleary being used for camping.
Yes it's become your abode, but that seems like a touchy subject, since it is your vehicle as well.
It's all about what defines vehicle as vehicle and abode as abode. Many RV's cannot drive with they are all extended and all that fancy stuff, so maybe if it's "disabled", if you will, it's an abode.
I'm only an armchair lawyer so don't take my word for it.
I am,by no means bashing LEO's,but remember that not all LEOs think we should even own guns.IF approached by an LEO in the situation the OP described MOST LEO would have the common sense to use their discretion
My question was pertaining to the vehicle being a parked camper at a registered campsite where i would be spending the night. Would this be a different situation??? Thanks for your help. Want to stay out of trouble.
IMO once parked and you're "camping", it has become your abode and should be legal to have a loaded weapon..
I'm not a lawyer!
That wasn't my understanding of Oregon's CHL. When I applied for mine I didn't know whether or not I got it until the day it showed up in the mail. Tillamook Sheriff's office mentioned nothing of carrying the receipt as a sort of temporary license.
That is not the issue. You dont need an excuse like hunting or fishing to transport a firearm in WA.
In WA without a CPL there is NO legal way to have a loaded gun in your vehicle ANY time.
RCW 9.41.060
Exceptions to restrictions on carrying firearms.
The provisions of RCW 9.41.050 shall not apply to:
(1) Marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, or other law enforcement officers of this state or another state;
(2) Members of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard or organized reserves, when on duty;
(3) Officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a concealed pistol;
(4) Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of the person, if possessing, using, or carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of the business;
(5) Regularly enrolled members of any organization duly authorized to purchase or receive pistols from the United States or from this state;
(6) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of target shooting, when those members are at or are going to or from their places of target practice;
(7) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of modern and antique firearm collecting, when those members are at or are going to or from their collector's gun shows and exhibits;
(8) Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;
(9) Any person while carrying a pistol unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper; or
(10) Law enforcement officers retired for service or physical disabilities, except for those law enforcement officers retired because of mental or stress-related disabilities. This subsection applies only to a retired officer who has: (a) Obtained documentation from a law enforcement agency within Washington state from which he or she retired that is signed by the agency's chief law enforcement officer and that states that the retired officer was retired for service or physical disability; and (b) not been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a crime making him or her ineligible for a concealed pistol license.
[2005 c 453 § 3; 1998 c 253 § 2; 1996 c 295 § 5; 1995 c 392 § 1; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 406; 1961 c 124 § 5; 1935 c 172 § 6; RRS § 2516-6.]