Is it unlawful to discharge a firearm in public? The short answer is, ‘yes’. The law governing gun discharging can be found in RCW 9.41.230, which states, in part: any person who willfully discharges a firearm, air gun, or other weapon, or throws any deadly missile in a public place, or sets a so-called trap, spring pistol, rifle, or other dangerous weapon, regardless of if an injury results, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. The statue states a ‘public place’ does not include any location at which firearms are authorized to be lawfully discharged, i.e. gun ranges. In short, don’t set a spring-loaded trap/ pistol/ rifle and don’t fire a gun in the air for laughs and giggles. If you are caught doing so, you will be charged with a crime, face a minimum of 364 days in jail, a fine of $5,000 and be under the watchful eyes of the court (called probation) for a period of at least 2 years.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys is the right call – (425) 359-3791 or (206) 441-0900.