Senate Advances Bill To Regulate Firearm Possession, Including CPL Exemption

In a recent legislative move, Democrats introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting firearm possession in over 5,300 locations. However, Republicans successfully advocated for an exemption for individuals holding concealed pistol licenses (CPL) during Thursday’s discussions. This mirrors efforts from the previous year when a similar bill sought to restrict firearms in numerous areas, but the minority party again persuaded their colleagues to incorporate the CPL exemption.

The Senate Law & Justice Committee has endorsed Substitute SB 5098, which includes this exemption, and has forwarded it to the Senate Rules Committee. The committee has yet to decide if the bill will be presented for debate on the Senate floor.

While data on the impact of CPL holders on homicide rates is sparse, the Violence Policy Center reports that since 2007, individuals with concealed carry permits have been linked to at least 2,512 deaths nationwide, with only 24 occurring in Washington State. Notably, nearly 67% of these incidents were suicides.

Last year’s Senate Bill 5444 also featured a CPL exemption, albeit restricted to law enforcement facilities with prior written consent. Subsequently, the Senate Law & Justice Committee expanded this exemption to include libraries, zoos, aquariums, parks, and other locations without the need for permission.

During public hearings for Senate Bill 5098, testimonies highlighted that the current exemption now applies only to color and honor guards involved in burials and interment ceremonies. Existing state laws already restrict weapon possession in several places, including airports, jails, law enforcement and public health facilities, courtrooms, bars, and venues inaccessible to individuals under 21, as well as public libraries, accredited zoos, aquariums, and transit stations.

The proposed legislation mandates that local municipalities post signage at locations where open carry is prohibited. According to a fiscal assessment, the implementation of this law could incur costs of approximately $6.87 million, affecting 3,327 city parks, 1,405 city buildings, 345 county parks, 195 county buildings, and 39 fairgrounds.