imported post
IANAL. YMMV. IMHO.
Jackal, when I received my WA CPL I emailed the WSP, the KCSO, and SPD. I asked them all the same questions (verbatim), to educate myself on not only the laws here but, also their 'interpretation' of it. I asked about 'printing' and accidental exposure [say while reaching for a can of soup on the top shelf at the grocery store]. In WA there are not currently any laws regulating printing specifically. However, while inadvertently printing, or exposing a muzzle, or handle of your sidearm is not specifically against the law... (Largely due to the fact that Open Carry is OK in WA)If you genuinely cause 'Alarm', or are in fact making a childish attempt to coerce or threaten someone it is in fact very illegal. By code a firearm in a holster is NOT sufficient enough cause for 'alarm' in and of itself. So act professional, (which I am pretty sure that you already do, or else you wouldn't even be asking this question), andblend in. So in other words, as long as it isn't malicious, it is OK to 'print' because of our OC laws. You might want to prepare yourself because not everyone will be warm about the issue though, and you may very well encounter a LEO as a result of someone under-educated on the laws here. Carry a copy of the Fed-Way bulletin and the RCWs just for 'giggles'. I'd hate for you to be detained any longer than necessary. Oh and COMMON criminals, don't usually use a holster.
