hawaidvr9
Regular Member
imported post
A co-worker and I were discussing an issue we have with private security who walk around with their hand on their firearm, in the ready to draw position. That conversation lead to my sending an email regarding "open carry" to the Department of Licensing here in Washington state.
The security officer issue is an entirely different topic so lets not discuss that, but here is my original question and the answer.
Subject: Firearms Question
"Where in Washington State can a person carry a pistol in a holster, not concealed?
James"
From the Department of Licensing
Re: Firearms Question
James,
There is no law saying that you cannot openly carry a firearm. And, there is no law that says you can. There is a law RCW 9.41.270 that refers to the intimidation of carry a weapon and what the penalty will be if found guilty of intimidation.
RCW 9.41.280 and 9.41.300 also have restrictions on where firearms are not allowed.
Bruce W. Tanaka
Firearms Unit Program Manager
Dept. of Licensing
Business and Professions Division
360-664-6622
btanaka@dol.wa.gov
I found a couple things interesting.
1. He was right there is no law that says you can not openly carry your handgun in a holster not concealed here in Washington State.
2. He made sure to add the part of the law that describes "intimidation".
I felt that the underlying message said "you can carry openly but you will be accused and punished for "intimidation" without doing anything wrong. Now I could be reading to much into a simple response but there was just a tone to the content. I do feel thata private security officer that walks around with his hand on his firearm is performing an act of intimidation. But again, that's another topic altogether.
The person was kind enough to add his contact information.
James
A co-worker and I were discussing an issue we have with private security who walk around with their hand on their firearm, in the ready to draw position. That conversation lead to my sending an email regarding "open carry" to the Department of Licensing here in Washington state.
The security officer issue is an entirely different topic so lets not discuss that, but here is my original question and the answer.
Subject: Firearms Question
"Where in Washington State can a person carry a pistol in a holster, not concealed?
James"
From the Department of Licensing
Re: Firearms Question
James,
There is no law saying that you cannot openly carry a firearm. And, there is no law that says you can. There is a law RCW 9.41.270 that refers to the intimidation of carry a weapon and what the penalty will be if found guilty of intimidation.
RCW 9.41.280 and 9.41.300 also have restrictions on where firearms are not allowed.
Bruce W. Tanaka
Firearms Unit Program Manager
Dept. of Licensing
Business and Professions Division
360-664-6622
btanaka@dol.wa.gov
I found a couple things interesting.
1. He was right there is no law that says you can not openly carry your handgun in a holster not concealed here in Washington State.
2. He made sure to add the part of the law that describes "intimidation".
I felt that the underlying message said "you can carry openly but you will be accused and punished for "intimidation" without doing anything wrong. Now I could be reading to much into a simple response but there was just a tone to the content. I do feel thata private security officer that walks around with his hand on his firearm is performing an act of intimidation. But again, that's another topic altogether.
The person was kind enough to add his contact information.
James