Washington State Laws/CC relating to motor vehicles

[ChrisNehm]

I have only had my permit for about a year now, and am new to this website. Hopefully this is the right place for this. If not, I apologize.

I am looking for information for Washington state laws regarding how to carry a concealed handgun while in a motor vehicle. I was under the understanding that it was similarly treated like alcohol, but if you had a permit, it had to remain in your immediate control, or on your person. I recently had a conversation with a cop in Marysville who told me that it was not legal to carry it loaded while in the car on my person, even with a permit.

Perhaps someone can shed some light for me, or let me know where i can look to find the answer.

thanks chris.

 

[Stiofan]

There is no prohibition on carrying in a vehicle for a license holder as indicated above.

 

[NavyLCDR]

The statute that the police officer was MISTAKENLY referring to is RCW 9.41.050:

(2)(a) A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

In order to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle, two conditions must be met: the person has a CPL in their possession AND any ONE of the following conditions is met: (i), (ii) OR (iii) above.

Thus if the person has a CPL the loaded handgun may be any one of the following:

(i) on the licensee's person, either open carried or concealed OR
(ii) anywhere else in the vehicle, open or concealed, so long as the CPL holder is also in the vehicle. The gun can be under the seat, in the glovebox, in the trunk or duct taped to the CPL holders forehead. OR
(iii) if the CPL holder is going to leave the gun in the vehicle unattended, at least the vehicle itself must be locked with the gun inside and the gun must be concealed from view outside the vehicle.

RCW 9.41.050: Carrying firearms.

There is also a Washington State AG opinion letter which confirms the above information. I don't have access to it at the moment.

You would find a lot more info on the Washington forum of www.opencarry.org

 

[golddigger14s]

I OC in WA, but I have a CPL so I don't have to unload and remove my gun when I get in and out of the car.

 

[santa]

as long as you have a valid cpl you may carry a loaded handgun in your car. but you cannot have a loaded long gun in your car. i find it interesting that you can open carry a loaded handgun down a stret without a cpl but when you get in a car you must unload it unless you have a valid cpl. by the way i live in eastern washington. welcome to this site.

 

[creoleboy]

I carry concealed in my vehicle. I was stopped for a traffic violation a few months back. I had previously copied my CCP and stapled it to my registration. In WA state you are not required to notify the officer that you are carrying a firearm, but the LEO was very appreciative that he knew. He did not ask any questions about the gun whatever. Even though not required, I personally think it a good idea to have no surprises for anyone - LEO or me.