Firearms Regulations

RELEVANT ANDERSON ISLAND FIREARMS DISCHARGE RESTRICTIONS for 2013

RCW 9.41.290 State Pre-emption (in part). “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, …”

Note: State laws address reckless endangerment, noise abatement, criminal use of a weapons, etc..

RCW 9.41.300 Weapons prohibited in certain places — Local laws and ordinances — Exceptions — Penalty (in part).

“(2) Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and ordinances: (a) Restricting the discharge 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; …”

PCC 9.32.070 Discharge of Firearms Prohibited or Restricted (in part).

“Pursuant to RCW 9.41.300(2), the Pierce County Council may designate certain areas of Pierce County where the discharge of firearms shall be prohibited or restricted.… Under no circumstances shall the County Council designate a prohibited or restricted area until the Firearms Advisory Commission, created pursuant to Chapter 2.79 of the Pierce County Code, has had an opportunity to review the proposal and make its recommendation to the Council.”

Note 1: By resolution of the Pierce County Council, the discharge of firearms is prohibited within the Riviera Community Club since 1976. The Riviera Board of Directors has, by resolution also prohibited the use of bow and arrows within the Riviera Community Club. Note 2: By resolution of the Pierce County Council, the discharge of firearms is prohibited on Pierce County property containing a public dump site.

PCC 9.32.080 Discharge Near Buildings.

“In all areas of Pierce County where the discharge of firearms is not prohibited or restricted pursuant to 9.32.070, it shall be unlawful to discharge a firearm within five hundred feet toward any building occupied by people or domestic animals or used for storage of flammable or combustible materials. It shall be unlawful to discharge a firearm within 1,000 feet toward any K-12 school within the County.”

Anderson Island Park & Recreation District Park Use Code, Section 6 – Firearms and other Weapons Restricted (in part).

“No person shall while upon or within property of the Anderson Island Park & Recreation District: Discharge a firearm or weapon of any kind, nor shall any person discharge or propel across, in, or into any AIPRD property, a firearm, bow and arrow, spear, spear gun, harpoon, sling shot, BB gun, air or gas weapon, or any device capable of injuring or killing a person or animal, or damaging or destroying any public or private property.

RCW 77.12.047 Scope of (State Fish & Wildlife) commission’s authority to adopt rules (in part).

“(1) The commission may adopt, amend, or repeal rules as follows: … (c) Specifying and defining the gear, appliances, or other equipment and methods that may be used to take wildlife, fish, or shellfish, and specifying the times, places, and manner in which the equipment may be used or possessed.

Note: WDFW hunting regulations restrict hunters to the use of archery, shotgun or muzzleloader anywhere at any time on Anderson Island (GMU 655). Modern rifles or pistols may not be used in the field to hunt or to dispatch game, but may be carried for “personal protection”.