Hello, question,

How can you get arrested shooting on public lands?

what can you do (or not do) that would get you arrested and in legal trouble?

thank you

Welcome to WaGuns!

Your question seems extremely . . . broad. Do you have specific questions?

just in what way can you be arrested for shooting on public lands? like how do you mess up?

is there a certain time you can't shoot? is there a certain gun or ammo you can't shoot with?

can the state just arbitrarily put a ban on shooting in public lands?

how can you be arrested for shooting on public lands?

Well, it appears that the state (and county) can put a shooting ban in place, as they've done it in many areas.

The restrictions all depend on where you go. Yes, sometimes there are time restrictions. Some places (most, maybe all now?) won't allow you to shoot exploding targets like Tannerite. I'm not aware of any restrictions on guns or ammo, though if you use tracers or anything that can cause fires, that can be a bad idea depending on where you are.

You can (and should) get ticketed if you litter, which all too many slob shooters are prone to do, leaving target debris behind.

Other ways to get into trouble…

Shooting over roads, water and in general not shooting safely.

Depending on where and how close to main roads.

Check out general rules for DNR (Dept of Natural Resource). Also note fire hazards, trash and alcohol etc

These tips should be etched in stone:

Always observe the 4 rules of gun safety! ALWAYS.
Do not be an idiot while handling firearms, anywhere.
Respect public/private lands like you would your own.
Pick up what you brought in to shoot and a little extra.
Know your what’s beyond your backstop, don’t shoot the GD trees. There are others that use public/private lands.
Do not intimidate those who “got there first” to your favorite shooting place!
NO EXPLODING TARGETS on public/private lands.
Do not shoot impaired and do not try and impress your friends by doing something stupid.
These are all ways that you would get in trouble/arrested on public shooting. It’s pretty much common sense.
Yes, the state/county can/will shut down whole forests/shooting areas during fire season and areas that have been trashed and prone to unsafe shooting.

If you want to make a difference on public/private land, learn how to shoot responsibly then join this organization and make a big difference.

https://www.trashnoland.org/shooting-regs/

Don't even lean a loaded rifle against your truck; not in it, not on it.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

Concealed loaded pistols in vehicles must be on your person or locked up.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx ... 0&pdf=true

"(2)(a) A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any
vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol
and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is
within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the
licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the
vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle."

(makes me wonder if a pistol in the console or mounted holster is considered "on your person")

So, this is always relative to a couple factors.

1) do you have a CPL?
If you do then the following will be applied

2) do you have any passengers? and do they have a CPL?

the reason for this depends on how you have the firearm. As mentioned in the top question of console or mounted holster and such...
If the passenger do (CPL) then it's all good.

If not, then how close are they or you to the firearm? Who would have reasonable access to it? ie glove compartment to make it simple. The passenger would have access to it. Then you are in dangerous waters. If it's locked and you as the driver have access (key) then that would be reasonable (as long as you of course have a CPL).



So, it's always in light of the situation and who and what are involved to answer this sometimes complex question.


If you are the sole person in the car. You as the driver can easily have a loaded handgun with a WA CPL in Washington State or those recognized by WA State. Of course, this is all free advice. IANAL - I am not a lawyer. Research it yourself but always apply different situations for your particular case.

Like kids. If you don't have kids then that's a mute circumstance. If you have kids and they are adults versus under age... etc Look at your most common situation you would be involved.

Are you fishing for answers to use against people shooting on public lands?

You only have to satisfy (i) or (ii), not (i) and (ii). So yes, as long as you have a CPL and are in the vehicle, the loaded pistol can be anywhere in the vehicle. Just don't let a prohibited person gain access to it.

The same laws you can violate while shooting on private property can get you arrested on public property.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
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no i just want to know the law and how other people have screwed up in the past so i don't do it myself.

Use all of the advice in the previous posts and use common sense. Treat public/private lands as you would your own property. Shoot safely and pick up your trash! Don’t be that guy.

tell me more about "that guy"

what does "that guy" do to become "that guy"?

They just told you, above.

What kind of guns do you own?

What do you like to shoot?

Are you a hunter?