OLYMPIA, Wash. — With just 24 hours into the legislative session, Washington lawmakers are already discussing the next swing at enhancing gun restrictions in the state.
Senate Bill 5098 would build on a law passed last year that created gun-free zones in Washington. Last year’s bill included aquariums, zoos, criminal justice facilities, libraries, and transit facilities. This year’s adds local public buildings, parks, playgrounds, and places “where children are likely to be present.”
“If you have a firearm and you want to keep people safe, keep it at home,” said Rep. Javier Valdez, a Democrat representing Seattle’s 46th District and sponsor of the bill, “I think you’re protecting more kids and families by not bringing your gun to a public place.”
Testimony during the hearing Tuesday was mostly split, though legislative staff said more opponents registered to speak than proponents of the bill. Melissa Denny, owner of Pistol Annie’s Jewelry & Pawn, sees it as the continued attack on gun owners.
“No gun-free zone has ever kept something from happening,” she said, pointing to shootings that happen at school buildings.
Saeran Dewar was one of the supporters—a student at Ingraham High School in 2022 when a student died in a shooting, she says that act of gun violence has traumatized her and her peers.
“Far too many of my friends and classmates, myself included, are afraid of being in crowded public spaces out of fear of gun violence. This should not be our reality,’ Dewar told the Senate Law & Justice Committee.
Valdez pointed to the summer shooting at the Grant County Fair that injured two teenagers as a reason for increased protections in public spaces. However, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has said they believe that the shooting was related to gang violence.
“The state has plenty of firearm laws, drug laws, and gang laws to protect us,” said Brian Keelean of the Washington State Rifle & Pistol Association, “What we do not need is more laws to be ignored, we need enforcement of current laws.”
In 2024, the legislation (SB 5444) that became RCW 9.41.300, exceptions in some areas were carved out for people with Concealed Carry Permits or Concealed Pistol Licenses. This year’s update provides no such exclusion.
“As a CPL holder, having gone through background checks, having gone through the ten-day waiting period...why is it that after you’ve gone through those hoops, you can only protect yourself in certain places?”
If passed, violators would be charged with a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to 364 days in prison.
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