There is possibly another option as I have been addressing the issue of securing firearms while visiting at the State, County and City Prisons and Jails which have not been complied with for the most part, ever.
I have been discussing this with my Rep and he did get the ball moving on addressing the Department of Corrections as to their complying with RCW 9.94 Prisoners — correctional institutions and with in that
9.94.043 Deadly weapons -- Possession on premises by person not a prisoner
A person, other than a person serving a sentence in a penal institution of this state, is guilty of possession of contraband on the premises of a state correctional institution in the first degree if, without authorization to do so, the person knowingly possesses or has under his or her control a deadly weapon on or in the buildings or adjacent grounds subject to the care, control, or supervision of a state correctional institution. Deadly weapon is used as defined in RCW 9A.04.110: PROVIDED, That such correctional buildings, grounds, or property are properly posted pursuant to RCW 9.94.047, and such person has knowingly entered thereon: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the provisions of this section do not apply to a person licensed pursuant to RCW 9.41.070 who, upon entering the correctional institution premises, proceeds directly along an access road to the administration building and promptly checks his or her firearm(s) with the appropriate authorities. The person may reclaim his or her firearm(s) upon leaving, but he or she must immediately and directly depart from the premises.
Possession of contraband on the premises of a state correctional institution in the first degree is a class B felony.
And applying this to County and City Jails we turn to;
9.94.049"Correctional institution" and "state correctional institution" defined.
(1) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "correctional institution" means any place designated by law for the keeping of persons held in custody under process of law, or under lawful arrest, including state prisons, county and local jails, and other facilities operated by the department of corrections or local governmental units primarily for the purposes of punishment, correction, or rehabilitation following conviction of a criminal offense.
(2) For the purposes of RCW
9.94.043 and
9.94.045, "state correctional institution" means all state correctional facilities under the supervision of the secretary of the department of corrections used solely for the purpose of confinement of convicted felons
So clearly it is provided for but the State Institutions have refused to accommodate our citizens licensed to conceal carry to check their firearms while visiting. Note I just accomplished this last week with Yakima County as I was the first citizen to have my firearm checked while visiting and will again be the first to check my firearm at 2 of the Superior Courts located in the Public Side of the Jail and downstairs.
My Representative is awaiting a response to his request at to what status of the State Facilities of securing citizens firearms and then if they are not in compliance he would move forward to have a hearing on the matter of why they are not following State Law.
As we all know the wheels of Justice turn slow and maybe after this tasked then look to take care of the Employment Security Department on their issues.
If you have a family member, friend or do out reach work for the Department of Corrections but why should one be denied to secure their firearms visiting these facilities.
Though I did get the Monroe Correctional Complex to acknowledge and provide a partial movement forward by having visitors secure their firearms in their personal vehicles and notify the tower, I know it does not meet the requirements but for now I felt some could work with it until it is corrected.