Chapter 9.50
WEAPONS CONTROL
Sections:
9.50.020 Unlawful use of weapons.
9.50.010 Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this chapter:
(1) “Chucka sticks,” also known as “numchuks” or “nunchaku,” means any instrument which consists of two pieces of wood, metal, or other substance connected by a chain, rope, or other similar device approximately eight to 10 inches in length.
(2) “Dangerous knife” means any knife having a blade more than three and one-half inches in length, or any dagger, sword, bayonet, bolo knife, machete, straight-edge razor, or razor blade not in a package, dispenser, or shaving appliance.
(3) “Firearm” shall have its generally accepted meaning and shall also include without limitation BB guns, pellet guns, air compression rifles or guns, shooting shot, bullet, bow and arrow, if the arrow has a metallic or sharp point, and cross bow and bolt.
(4) “Gas container,” “gas cartridge,” or “gas bomb” means any device containing tear gas or any chemical or combination of chemicals, whether in liquid, gaseous or solid form, that produces or is designed to produce temporary discomfort, permanent injury, paralyzation, immobilization, tears, nausea or other illness when dispensed into the air.
(5) “Pistol” means any firearm or other weapon for the purpose of discharging a projectile by means of compressed air, chemical, combustion, or otherwise and having a barrel less than 12 inches in length.
(6) “Switchblade knife” means any knife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring mechanism, or other device, or a blade that opens, falls or is ejected into position by force of gravity or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement. [Ord. IV-6-2 § 10.01, 1986.]
9.50.020 Unlawful use of weapons.
It is unlawful for anyone knowingly to:
(1) Sell, manufacture, purchase, possess or carry any blackjack, sandclub, metal knuckles, or switchblade knife;
(2) Carry concealed on his person or in any vehicle any dangerous knife, or deadly weapon; or
(3) Carry a loaded pistol in any vehicle or carry a pistol concealed on his person, except when in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a license therefor as provided in Chapter 9.41 RCW; or
(4) Set a spring gun; or
(5) Use any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in silencing the noise of any firearm; or
(6) Offer for sale, sell, furnish, transport, carry, possess, or use any form of gas container, gas cartridge, or gas bomb, or any weapon designed for using any such form of gas container, gas cartridge, or gas bomb;
(7) Discharge any firearm within the city limits; provided, this subsection shall not apply to any police officer or member of the armed forces in the performance of official duties, and shall not apply to any course of instruction approved by a school district;
(8) Possess or carry on his person or in any vehicle chuka sticks. [Ord. IV-6-2 § 10.02, 1986.]
9.50.030 Exemptions.
(1) The proscriptions of LCMC 9.50.020(6) relating to gas containers, gas cartridges and gas bombs shall not apply to:
(a) Sales at wholesale;
(b) Peace officers or military personnel while in the performance of their official duties;
(c) Sales to a governmental agency;
(d) The sale to mail carriers, public or private utility meter readers, or the purchase, possession or carrying by any such persons, of aerosol canister devices designed for the purpose of repelling attacks by dogs and other animals and containing and capable of emitting in spray form oleoresin of capsicum or other similar substance;
(e) Possession or use by any person who is 16 years of age or older who possesses or uses solely for self-defense purposes gas containers, gas cartridge, and gas bombs, provided that such devices are commercially manufactured to dispense tear gas from an aerosol tube, and are designed to contain not more than two percent active tear gas ingredient and not less than 12 nor more than 120 grams of charge of tear gas per such aerosol tube; provided further, that it is unlawful for any person exempted by this subsection to use the devices described herein against any law enforcement officer who is on duty and is acting within the scope of his or her authority as a law enforcement officer;
(f) Sales of gas containers, gas cartridge and gas bombs as described in subdivision (1)(e) of this section to persons exempted by said subdivision for use solely for self-defense purposes.
(2) The proscription of LCMC 9.50.020(2) relating to dangerous knives shall not apply to:
(a) Individual licensed hunters or fishermen while on a hunting, camping or fishing trip;
(b) Any person carrying such knife in a secure wrapper from or to the place of purchase or a place of repair to or from his home or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business to another, or while in his place of abode or fixed place of business.
(3) The proscription of LCMC 9.50.020(3) relating to loaded or concealed pistols shall not apply to or affect:
(a) Peace officers or military personnel while in the performance of their official duties;
(b) Regularly enrolled members of any club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets upon established target ranges, whether public or private, while such members are at, or are going to or from, such target ranges;
(c) Regularly enrolled members of any club or organization organized for the purpose of collecting modern or antique firearms while such members are at, or are going to or from, a gun collector’s show or exhibit;
(d) Individual licensed hunters or fishermen while on a hunting, camping, or fishing trip;
(e) Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms or the agent or representative of such person, having in his possession, using or carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of such business;
(f) Any person carrying a pistol unloaded and in a secure wrapper from or to the place of purchase or a place of repair to or from his home or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business, to another.
(4) The prohibitions of LCMC 9.50.020(8) relating to chucka sticks shall not apply to:
(a) Any person possessing chucka sticks on the premises of a school which holds a city business license and teaches the art of self-defense;
(b) Any person possessing chucka sticks for use in a course in the art of self-defense, provided such course is approved by the city, a school district, or other such legal entity;
(c) Any person carrying chucka sticks in a secure wrapper from or to a school teaching the art of self-defense or a course in the art of self-defense as defined by this subsection to or from his place of abode or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business to another, or any person possessing chucka sticks while in his place of abode or fixed place of business. [Ord. IV-6-2 § 10.03, 1986.]