Ordinance 3942-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

ORDINANCE NO. 3942-23 An ORDINANCE Relating to limitations on open carry of weapons at public meetings, and possession or certain firearms for individuals eighteen to twenty‐one years of age, AMENDING Chapter 10.78 EMC. WHEREAS, A.In the 2022 legislative session the Washington State Legislature passed ESHB 1630, now codified at RCW 9.41.305, which went into effect June 9, 2022, and which makes it unlawful and a misdemeanor crime for any person to knowingly open carry a firearm or other weapon, as defined by RCW 9.41.300(1)(b), while knowingly being in any city buildings used in connection with a governing body of the city, or any location of a public meeting or hearing of a city governing body. B.Pursuant to ESHB 1630 and RCW 42.30.020 of the Washington Open Public Meetings Act, “governing body” is defined to include Everett City Council and any other City multi‐member board, commission, committee, council, or other policy or rule‐making body of a public agency, or any committee thereof when the committee acts on behalf of the governing body, conducts hearing, or takes testimony or public comment. C.A person violating RCW 9.41.305 is guilty of a misdemeanor for a first violation and a gross misdemeanor for a second and subsequent violations. D.Initiative 1639, approved in 2018, imposed age limitations for possession of pistols and semi‐ automatic assault rifles, codified at RCW 9.41.240, and makes it unlawful for a person under the age of 21 but over the age of 18 to purchase a pistol or semi‐automatic assault rifle, nor possess one, with exceptions for possession in the person’s abode, at their fixed place of business, or on real property under his or her control. E.A person violating RCW 9.41.240 is guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 9.41.810. F.The Everett City Council deems it appropriate to adopt the revisions proposed herein to keep the Everett Municipal Code consistent with State Law in relation to enforcement of criminal violations of firearms restrictions.