It's not a case of "what law allows me to carry", it is a matter of RCW9.41.290 prohibiting cities and counties from passing any laws that regulate firearms. The law has allowed only a few areas where cities and counties can regulate firearms but prohibiting possession in parks is not one. Read
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.300 for those areas where they are allowed to regulate.
And these:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.290
AGO_2008_No8_Firearm_Preemption.pdf
Here is the letter I sent to Parks in Pierce County and subsequently to one of our Council members when Mr Basket didn't respond, feel free to edit the intro and the references and code citations to Pierce County to your own needs there: (note the links to the Pierce County website have been updated)
Dear Mr. Basket,
I am sending you this letter regarding signage that is posted in several areas of the Chambers Creek Properties under your responsibility that I regularly use.
My wife and I were out walking the track around the course as we often do and I read on one of the "rules" signs off of the street entrance on the north end of the park, that among other restrictions, indicate that firearms are prohibited. I certainly can understand where a "no discharge" rule would be appropriate under the citing below, but your ability to have an enforceable local code prohibiting guns is especially confusing to me, since it appears that these rules are directly in violation of RCW 9.41.290,
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.290 .
The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to firearms or parts thereof, including ammunition and reloader components. Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law, as in RCW 9.41.300, and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances shall have the same penalty as provided for by state law. Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.
....and RCW 9.41.300.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.300
(2) Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and ordinances:
(a) Restricting the
discharge (my italics) of firearms in any portion of their respective jurisdictions where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property will be jeopardized. Such laws and ordinances shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by Article I, section 24 of the state Constitution to bear arms in defense of self or others; and
(b) Restricting the possession of firearms in any stadium or convention center, operated by a city, town, county, or other municipality, except that such restrictions shall not apply to:
(i) Any pistol in the possession of a person licensed under RCW 9.41.070 or exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW 9.41.060; or
(ii) Any showing, demonstration, or lecture involving the exhibition of firearms.
(3)(a) Cities, towns, and counties may enact ordinances restricting the areas in their respective jurisdictions in which firearms may be sold, but, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a business selling firearms may not be treated more restrictively than other businesses located within the same zone. An ordinance requiring the cessation of business within a zone shall not have a shorter grandfather period for businesses selling firearms than for any other businesses within the zone.
(b) Cities, towns, and counties may restrict the location of a business selling firearms to not less than five hundred feet from primary or secondary school grounds, if the business has a storefront, has hours during which it is open for business, and posts advertisements or signs observable to passersby that firearms are available for sale. A business selling firearms that exists as of the date a restriction is enacted under this subsection (3)(b) shall be grandfathered according to existing law.
From the Pierce County Website, as I am sure you well know, I researched and found the following information posted.
"Fireworks and firearms are prohibited"
http://www.piercecountywa.org/pc/abtus/ourorg/parks/trailrules.htm
http://www.piercecountywa.org/pc/services/recreate/fac-rules.htm
OTHER PARK RULES & REGULATIONS
Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
Loitering in vehicles is prohibited.
For safety, swim only in designated areas.
Please use trash receptacles.
No firearms, fireworks, or open fires.
Loud music is prohibited.
Drive carefully and cautiously and enjoy your visit.
No person shall camp in any park except in areas specifically designated and/or marked for that purpose.
In a larger perspective, this policy issue needs to be addressed at the Council level for all of the parks and trails around Pierce County and in support of this request is additional clarifications made by the Washington State AG.
AGO_2008_No8_Firearm_Preemption.pdf
