Pistol carry rule

[ThePascoKid]

Anyone else notice this in the new proposed regulations?

However, a modern handgun may be carried for
personal protection ((if that person possesses a concealed pistol
license as defined in RCW 9.41.070)).

Looks like they're thinking about letting anyone carry.

[sisu]

Where is the quote coming from? I'd like to see the link if at all possible.
thanks, scott

[bobcat]

Yes, I did see it. Archers and muzzleloaders will now be allowed to carry handguns.

[sisu]

Yes, I did see it. Archers and muzzleloaders will now be allowed to carry handguns.

Bob, archers and muzzys were allowed last year too! How is this different?

[bobcat]

Last year you had to have a CPL. They are taking that requirement away.

[sisu]

Last year you had to have a CPL. They are taking that requirement away.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I'm a LD learner, my bad.

[bobcat]

WAC 232-12-054 Archery requirements--Archery special use
permits. (1) Rules pertaining to all archery:
(a) It is unlawful for any person to carry or have in his
possession any firearm while in the field archery hunting, during
an archery season specified for that area, except for modern
handguns carried for personal protection ((if that person possesses
a concealed pistol license as defined by RCW 9.41.070)). Modern
handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big
game during an archery, big game hunting season.

(3) In addition to the above requirements, it is unlawful to
participate (hunt) in a muzzleloading hunting season using a
firearm which does not meet the following specifications for a
muzzleloader. However, a modern handgun may be carried for
personal protection ((if that person possesses a concealed pistol
license as defined in RCW 9.41.070)). Modern handguns cannot be
used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big
game hunting season for muzzleloading firearms.

[Whitelightning]

Will interesting to see if it makes the regulations for this year.

[sako223]

This has been coming for years, a WDFW warden told me this about five years ago. He also expressed concerns of how long it would take to start seeing cheater kills. I bet it won't be long.

[Whitelightning]

This has been coming for years, a WDFW warden told me this about five years ago. He also expressed concerns of how long it would take to start seeing cheater kills. I bet it won't be long.

I hope it takes a long time before we hear of cheater kills I have m/l hunted for many years only wished a couple of times I had a side arm with me and truth be told a side arm would not have helped me if the critters had decided to take action.

[lee]

I don't know 'bout the rest of my fellow hunters but, ... I don't carry a sidearm for the fear of runn'un into 4 leg critters. I carry for protection from the 2 legged ones.

A few years back someone had the balls to come into camp and steal my buddies generator.

[Whitelightning]

I don't know 'bout the rest of my fellow hunters but, ... I don't carry a sidearm for the fear of runn'un into 4 leg critters. I carry for protection from the 2 legged ones.

A few years back someone had the balls to come into camp and steal my buddies generator.

[bobcat]

A pistol won't outshoot a muzzleloader so I don't see why there's any concern over somebody killing an animal with a handgun rather than their muzzleloader.  

[carpsniperg2]

i agree with allot said, but some pistols will out shoot muzzleloaders as well i have a cfp in 7mm-08 that will out shoot my muzzle any day of the week i don't shoot my muzzles past 150 and would not have a prob with the 7mm-08 but yes most carry guns will not outshoot a muzzle. but at the same time i see more cheaters using them during archery season then muzzle season. i like the way it is set up now and there is some felons out there that hunt muzzle or archery because they can not have any mod firearms and i would not like them having a gun at anytime when i have to deal with them this is my  i hope it fails and stays the way it is.

[bonkellekter]

i agree with allot said, but some pistols will out shoot muzzleloaders as well i have a cfp in 7mm-08 that will out shoot my muzzle any day of the week i don't shoot my muzzles past 150 and would not have a prob with the 7mm-08 but yes most carry guns will not outshoot a muzzle. but at the same time i see more cheaters using them during archery season then muzzle season. i like the way it is set up now and there is some felons out there that hunt muzzle or archery because they can not have any mod firearms and i would not like them having a gun at anytime when i have to deal with them this is my  i hope it fails and stays the way it is.

Shouldn't have to worry about the felons carrying a side arm - it is still illegal for them to carry a firearm regardless.

[carpsniperg2]

yes i know this but they are felons for a reason they like to break the law and one more reason for them to maybe get away with it. not very many gamies are going to do a background check on a archery hunter that has a handgun on them to know if they are legal or not and i think a few of them will use this a reason to carry one in the field

[bonkellekter]

Your probably right about that. In general I just have a problem with any rule that affects when, where, why or how a law abiding citizen can protect themselves. Even though it may open up the doors to a very small group of individuals who would abuse it I would have to vote for this proposal.

[bonkellekter]

This is the same approach that is commonly used by the anti-gun crowd. Trying to put rules in place to control the bad guys typically only has a negative affect on the good guy.

[Wacenturion]

The question really should be...........why should the majority of law abiding folks be penalized for the possibility of a few that might take advantage of the situation and use the handgun.  Just make the penalty stiff enough and most of those who might be tempted to try, won't.   Those who are going to do something illegal in spite of possible penalty or law, are going to do it irregardless.

I shouldn't need WDFW's permission to carry concealed or otherwise, as it's a right, not a privilege.

[shoot-em-dead]

on a side note- the rule says you can carry a modern handgun. It does not say that it can be carried concealed. I would assume that it would have to be open carry unless the said individual has a CLP.

[Curly]

Shoot-em dead, I think you would be assuming wrong. 

Washington State law allows conceal carry for people participating in a lawful outdoor activity.  So, concealed should be allowed.

[carpsniperg2]

  just untill last year you could not then they made it with permit only. when they put this new rule in it did not say how you had to carry and in most countys you can carry open or concealed.

[Special T]

If they can't catch poachers and rarely contact people in the field, why do you care how "legal" it is? I know we would all like to air on the side of caution but i would rather get home after a confrontation with a 2 legged predator, than worry about some BS with a game warden...  I read the post about the guy hunting in the Idaho panhandle with just a 4 shot rifle and 10 wolves tried to jump him... my little 38 revolver is gonna get traded in on a hi cap 9mm during hunting season next year! Its AWAYS better to be judged by your peers than not come home to your wife and kids!

[bearhunter99]

I don't think the argument about the felons carrying is really an issue.  Obviously they don't assume the same responsibility or worry about breaking the law in the first place.  There are already laws in place to prevent them from carrying a firearm, what difference does it make if they have another law preventing them?  They are going to have it concealed regardless of what the game laws state, therefore the Warden would have to have probable cause to search them anyway, and just being a felon does not give them probable cause from what I know of the law.

[Kain]

This change was due to state law allowing people engaging in legal outdoor activities to carry concealed without a CPL.  This also allows people under 21 to carry for protection while out in the woods, since a CPL requires you to be 21 to apply.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.060

The provisions of RCW 9.41.050 shall not apply to:
( 8 ) 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 is still illegal to use a modern firearm to kill or dispatch wounded game so adding another law on top of this make no sense. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/huntregs2009.pdf   Page 63

Dispatching Wounded Game
A hunter can only use a hunting method that meets
the equipment requirements of his/her tag to
dispatch wounded game.

Felons and criminals will still break the law no matter how many restrictions you put on the rest of us. 

[bobcat]

Right, plus if someone wants to break the law and use something other than a muzzleloader during muzzleloader season, why not use a modern rifle?

[carpsniperg2]

i agree with you guys, and i am all aginst them puting restritions on us as well. i am all about the good old 2nd and am a life member of the NRA to boot. so i hear what you are saying, maybe it is wrong to think what i do, but i can just see some people shooting at a animal with a smoke pull missing and not bothering to reload the muzzle loader and start shooting with a handgun like said no matter how you look at it, it is still unlawful to use them to harvest or dispact the game.

[Kain]

I hear ya.  Totally could see that happening also which really sucks.  I believe that black powder pistols are legal there is really no excuse for something like that to happen.  I only hope that they come down hard on anyone that breaks the rules.  It just seems like they always let them off easy and the rest of us are the ones who pay.  The first time they catch someone doing that they will say "see, we told you this would happen."

[carpsniperg2]

yeah they are legal, but there is limitations on barrel and size i cant remember what they are right now. i don't think the revolvers are legal  but don't remember right off hand.

[Kain]

e. A muzzleloading handgun must have a
single or double barrel of at least eight
inches, must be rifled and be capable of
being loaded with forty-five grains or more
of black powder or black powder substitute
per the manufacturer's recommendations.
f. A muzzleloading handgun used for big
game must be .45 caliber or larger.

[carpsniperg2]

yep thats it.