I have both the OR CHL and WA CPL. I read the RCW as you do. Areas of ingress and egress open to the general public are exempted from the exclusions of RCW 9.41.300 1(a). As you were seeking access to restricted areas, of course, nobody will argue the need to leave your pistol behind. However, the lock box described under RCW 9.41.300 1(b) cannot be inferred to apply to all sections of RCW 9.41.300, only subsection 1(b) which pertains to areas of (and/or in support of) court proceedings. I don't read that the jail has an obligation under statute to provide you with a lock box. (Aside: seems like it would be wise policy to provide one, but that is at the discretion of the individual administrators for each prison/jail).
Without having a lock box, it would be within the prison's rights to prohibit pistols from being left in a vehicle on prison grounds. Therefore, I interpret that the prison personnel were acting in compliance with a policy that has sound legal backing and is justified by a reasonable argument (don't want guns vulnerable to pilfering by bad people).
May I suggest that the best course of action is to write a letter to the prison administrator respectfully requesting that they review their policy on this matter, and asking that they implement a policy for receiving and storing pistols in a manner similar to that described under RCW 9.41.300 1(b).
Respectfully submitted ...
Without having a lock box, it would be within the prison's rights to prohibit pistols from being left in a vehicle on prison grounds. Therefore, I interpret that the prison personnel were acting in compliance with a policy that has sound legal backing and is justified by a reasonable argument (don't want guns vulnerable to pilfering by bad people).
May I suggest that the best course of action is to write a letter to the prison administrator respectfully requesting that they review their policy on this matter, and asking that they implement a policy for receiving and storing pistols in a manner similar to that described under RCW 9.41.300 1(b).
Respectfully submitted ...