Carrying a pistol

[Machias]

Any suggestions on caliber to carry?

Whatever you can shoot comfortably and accurately.  What's your size?  How much experience do you have handling and firing a handgun?  Is your purpose for carrying strictly self protection from 2 legged and 4 legged predators, or hunting as well?  What's your budget?

[Button Nubbs]

I love my 10mm in the woods and in town for that matter. You will get 100 different answers from 100 different people on caliber though.

One thing I will tell you is know these laws WELL! I had an incident with a sheriff in september when I was carrying a gun and he really had no idea on the laws. it left a really bad taste in my mouth. I am of age and a cwp holder but the dick still had a problem with me.

[huntinguy]

You may be able to carry it if you are hunting.... If you are hunting with it. You however can not transport it. That is the catch. If it is in your vehical and there is no one 21 or older with you, you can be arrested for it. 

[CAMPMEAT]

I love it, you can be in the military and shoot and kill bad guys, but you can't carry a concealed sidearm...............bullshnot !

[runamuk]

You may be able to carry it if you are hunting.... If you are hunting with it. You however can not transport it. That is the catch. If it is in your vehical and there is no one 21 or older with you, you can be arrested for it. 

see above in exceptions for children and firearms

(6) Traveling with any unloaded firearm in the person's possession to or from any activity described in subsection (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section;

print and carry all rcw's is one way to back yourself up because these laws are complicated and convoluted and are often misinterpreted by law enforcement.

[Bob33]

You may be able to carry it if you are hunting.... If you are hunting with it. You however can not transport it. That is the catch. If it is in your vehical and there is no one 21 or older with you, you can be arrested for it. 

I'm not sure where you got that information, but it is not entirely correct. If the person is traveling to or from an outdoor activity such as hunting, possession is legal.

"Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;

[littlemac]

I'd go with the comment earlier about uninformed LEO's having the 18 year old explaining it.

My son got stopped for a fog light out and got cuffed and stuck on his trunk because he had a 9mm in its factory case unloaded on the floor of his passenger side along with his hunting pack and gear.  He looks 18 but was in his mid-twenties at the time.  He explained he had been hunting and was on his way home from eastern Washington to Covington on Hwy 18 at the time. 

An hour later they let him go on his way after locking the 9 in the trunk.
The officer called a supervisor who was the one that made the call to release him.

If you decide to carry, I'd be sure to transport in the trunk or storage area when out of the woods.

Also, I believe you can not dispatch game unless the caliber is legal for the game.  Possibly something to keep in mind when choosing a caliber to carry.

[KFhunter]

you can borrow one, and pack it from your door step to hunting area, pack it while hunting,  and back to doorstep.

I highly suggest you do not make too many incidental trips (Subway for a sammich) while engaging in an outdoor activity while under the age of 21. 

Also, do not abuse the clause.  Make sure you are indeed engaged in an outdoor activity.


under 21 dude: "but officer, I was about to go hunting"

officer: "then where is your hunting clothes?  All I see is a backpack full of school books, you weren't planning on taking that handgun to school were you?"

don't be that kid 

[Kola16]

you can borrow one, and pack it from your door step to hunting area, pack it while hunting,  and back to doorstep.

I highly suggest you do not make too many incidental trips (Subway for a sammich) while engaging in an outdoor activity while under the age of 21. 

Also, do not abuse the clause.  Make sure you are indeed engaged in an outdoor activity.


under 21 dude: "but officer, I was about to go hunting"

officer: "then where is your hunting clothes?  All I see is a backpack full of school books, you weren't planning on taking that handgun to school were you?"

don't be that kid 

Too late!!! 

[KFhunter]

I was that kid too, a long time ago 

thought nothing of having a shotgun in the truck for a little afterschool grouse sluicing


times were different, and hell I ain't that old!

[huntinguy]

You may be able to carry it if you are hunting.... If you are hunting with it. You however can not transport it. That is the catch. If it is in your vehical and there is no one 21 or older with you, you can be arrested for it. 

I'm not sure where you got that information, but it is not entirely correct. If the person is traveling to or from an outdoor activity such as hunting, possession is legal.

"Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;

Information was from a GW at a hunters Ed class.

9.41.240
Possession of pistol by person from eighteen to twenty-one.
Unless an exception under RCW 9.41.042, 9.41.050, or 9.41.060 applies, a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a pistol only:

     (1) In the person's place of abode;

     (2) At the person's fixed place of business; or

     (3) On real property under his or her control.


Yes, a minor can posess in the field... but not take it there.


     ( Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;

It sounds like he should be able to... But, I can only go with what the GW said.

(why did hte emocon show up? that should be an 8.

[Bob33]

Quite simply that enforcement officer was wrong.

[runamuk]

Re read 9 41 40 I posted above they are exceptions for those under  18 there are several sections of exceptions to the law they hand you in hunters ed or when you recieve your concealed pistol license and this is part of the confusion about three quarters of the laws are left out...

[deleted BGS]

You can't buy a handgun until you're 21 though

wrong, actually you can from a private party just not a dealer

[runamuk]

You can't buy a handgun until you're 21 though

wrong, actually you can from a private party just not a dealer

true if both parties are willing to break the law I suppose you can ....kinda how all laws work anyone can break them if they choose to