Trigger Dr
Regular Member
And when I walk on the ferry and never walk on the section that the cars go on, but only the walkway to the passenger area....am I on the road?
Sidewalk
And when I walk on the ferry and never walk on the section that the cars go on, but only the walkway to the passenger area....am I on the road?
Sidewalk
I don't know, Gogo; you are usually much more informed than I am on such topics. But it does bring up some interesting questions. I think the state needs to clarify what is and is not legal on the ferries as far as firearms go. We all know we need a CPL to carry loaded in our vehicles, but, as you brought up, what about walking on the ferry? What about riding Metro Transit? In either case, you are in a vehicle, but a public one, not a private one. Perhaps the state AG would know.
3) Can I open carry on a Bus, Train, Ferry, Personal Auto, Motorcycle or Bicycle? (RCW 9.91.025) The right to carry a gun or ammunition in a fashion is not otherwise prohibited by law on a MUNICIPAL TRANSIT VEHICLE (Greyhound /Amtrak is not a municipal transit vehicle). Busses, Trains & the Ferries are considered vehicles in Washington. You may carry loaded either openly or concealed in or on any vehicle if you possess a CPL (RCW 9.41.050 (2a)).
And when I walk on the ferry and never walk on the section that the cars go on, but only the walkway to the passenger area....am I on the road?
Nah, you're just on the Sidewalk.
There are no sidewalks on highways.
Highways are defined as limited access, which means no bicycles,mopeds, or pedestrians.
And what about all the bicycles that I see all over the place on Highway 20, especially on Whidbey Island?
i just got a respone from the ferry system on this question. when i get home i will post the e-mails.
the service rep said that ferries are part of thehighway, not vehicles. she wasn't he most informed, though. she said that yu can only carry in a vehile and with a license. i let her know aout preemption andsuch.
i just got a respone from the ferry system on this question. when i get home i will post the e-mails.
the service rep said that ferries are part of thehighway, not vehicles. she wasn't he most informed, though. she said that yu can only carry in a vehile and with a license. i let her know aout preemption andsuch.
i just got a respone from the ferry system on this question. when i get home i will post the e-mails.
the service rep said that ferries are part of thehighway, not vehicles. she wasn't he most informed, though. she said that yu can only carry in a vehile and with a license. i let her know aout preemption andsuch.
So, if she got the second half wrong, can she be trusted to have the first part correct?
Me said:Hello, I and some associates were having a conversation and something
came up regarding the ferry that we could not agree upon. We were
discussing whether, by Washington State Law, if the Ferry itself is
considered part of the highway system or a vehicle that travels upon the
highway.
This was brought up because of 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".
Without a definite answer, we cannot determine if the carry of a loaded
firearm on the ferry without a WA CPL is legal or not and restricts the
carry by many people.
Thank you for any help.
Kenny
Linda Lacombe said:Kenny,
Thanks for taking the time to write. The Washington State Ferries are a
continuation of the highway system and are frequently referred to as the
Washington state marine highways. Many of the routes have or continue
the highway numbers that lead to the terminals as if they continue
across the water. It is acceptable to carry a pistol or any gun onto the
ferry, provided the passenger has a license to carry the weapon, and the
weapon remains inside the passenger vehicle at all times. The weapon may
not be brought into the passenger cabin. Should someone need to
transport a legal weapon onboard a WSF vessel, they must do so in a
vehicle and be prepared to show a valid license to the Washington State
Patrol.
I hope this answers your question. If you have further questions, please
do not hesitate to write or call.
Linda Lacombe
Customer Service
Washington State Ferries
206-515-3635
Me said:My question was actually only about if the ferry itself was considered a highway or a vehicle on the highway and i believe you answered that. As to the legality of carrying aboard the vessel, as a state funded mass transit you may not be more restrictive in firearm rules than the laws of the state, so carry on th passenger deck i completely legal.
Thank you for the information and i hope that you have a great day. =)
Kenny.
Ps: i am sorry for any grammatical errors. I am on a mobile phone that does not have the best typing capabilities.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=468-34-110
Definition of terms.
Unless otherwise stated, words and phrases used herein shall have the following meaning:
(1) Highway - A general term denoting a street, road or public way for purposes of vehicular travel, including the entire area within the right of way.
(2) Conventional highway - An arterial highway without access control.
(3) Limited access highway - A highway upon which the rights to ingress and egress, light, view and air are controlled by law.
--------------------------------------------------
RCW 46.04.197 - Highway.
Highway means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
RCW 46.04.500 Definition of "Roadway."
"Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk or shoulder even though such sidewalk or shoulder is used by persons riding bicycles. In the event a highway includes two or more separated roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any such roadway separately but shall not refer to all such roadways collectively.
RCW 46.04.670 "Vehicle."
"Vehicle" includes every device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, including bicycles. The term does not include devices other than bicycles moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. Mopeds shall not be considered vehicles or motor vehicles for the purposes of chapter 46.70 RCW. Bicycles shall not be considered vehicles for the purposes of chapter 46.12, 46.16, or 46.70 RCW.
------------------------------------
So there you go.
The ferry is part of the highway, and the ferry is moving on it, since it's moving on it, it's a vehicle.
Alternatively, the ferry is part of the highway, and thus the highway moves wherever the ferry goes. A vehicle traveling upon the highway would be your car driving on the ferry, but not the ferry itself. It makes no sense for the ferry to both be a part of the highway and a vehicle on the highway. However, I will agree this is vague and in dire need of clarification (alternatively, remove the stupid "CPL in vehicle" rule and the question goes away).
The alternative argument, of course, is that the legislature only intended the CPL rules to apply "in" a vehicle, not "in or on", because when you're "on" a vehicle nothing is concealed. Since the legislature does use "in or on" in other language (e.g. 77.15.460), it seems to me there is a clear distinction. When you're "on" the ferry, you wouldn't need a CPL even if it were a vehicle, because you're not "in" it and therefore not concealed from outside view by virtue of your position.
The alternative argument, of course, is that the legislature only intended the CPL rules to apply "in" a vehicle, not "in or on", because when you're "on" a vehicle nothing is concealed. Since the legislature does use "in or on" in other language (e.g. 77.15.460), it seems to me there is a clear distinction. When you're "on" the ferry, you wouldn't need a CPL even if it were a vehicle, because you're not "in" it and therefore not concealed from outside view by virtue of your position.
Lemme confuse this one further then :banana:
Since you make the distinction between IN and ON, do the CPL rules apply when one is riding ON a motorcycle, since it's pretty darn hard to be IN one (believe me, I try ), and therefore nothing is concealed?
Lemme confuse this one further then :banana:
Since you make the distinction between IN and ON, do the CPL rules apply when one is riding ON a motorcycle, since it's pretty darn hard to be IN one (believe me, I try ), and therefore nothing is concealed?