Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1984 NO. 27 >

(1) The validity of a local ordinance making it either a criminal or civil offense to be in possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will not turn on RCW 9.41.290, in the sense that such a local ordinance is, or is not, thereby statutorily preempted; instead, it will depend upon the effect which a particular ordinance has on constitutionally-protected rights. (2) A local ordinance providing for the mandatory forfeiture of a firearm in the possession of one who is intoxicated would be within the purview of RCW 9.41.290 and, therefore, would be required to be consistent with its state statutory counterpart (RCW 9.41.098) in order to be legally effective.

AGO 1987 NO. 28 >

RCW 9.41.040(1) does not prohibit a person, found in juvenile court to have committed an offense, from purchase and possession of a handgun, or the issuance of a concealed weapon permit. City and county law enforcement agencies may refuse issuance of a concealed weapon permit to any person who admits, orally or in writing, his intent to commit a crime in the future with or without a handgun. The Public Disclosure Act allows public inspection of copies of concealed weapon permit applications for handgun purchases.

AGO 1954 NO. 283 >

County commissioners may make ordinance regulating possession and use of firearms by minors, not in conflict with RCW 9.41.240.

AGO 1951 NO. 424 >

Notwithstanding the licensing authority being changed from the Director of Licenses to others enumerated in the statute, chapter 72, Laws of 1935, does not repeal chapter 52, Laws of 1911, requiring as a prerequisite that an alien, before being licensed to possess or carry any firearm, must present a certificate of the consul of the country from which he came that he is a responsible person.