Washington criminal charge

Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities in Washington

Current through 2026 Washington legislative session

Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.41.280. Its classification is not fixed: Washington assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by RCW 9.41.280.

What is the penalty for possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities in Washington?

Penalties for Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities
Penalty	Range	Basis	Authority
Jail / prison	up to 90 days (First violation — A person violating subsection (1) by knowingly carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon on school premises, transportation, or facilities is guilty of a misdemeanor.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(3)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.030 unless the offense fixes its own penalty)	discretionary	RCW 9A.20.021
Fine	up to $1,000 (First violation — A person violating subsection (1) by knowingly carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon on school premises, transportation, or facilities is guilty of a misdemeanor.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)))	discretionary	RCW 9A.20.021
Jail / prison	up to 364 days (Second or subsequent violation — A second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) is a gross misdemeanor.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty)	discretionary	RCW 9A.20.021
Fine	up to $5,000 (Second or subsequent violation — A second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) is a gross misdemeanor.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)))	discretionary	RCW 9A.20.021

Applies to current.

How is possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities classified in Washington?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities
Variant	Classification	When it applies	Statute
First violation	Misdemeanor	A person violating subsection (1) by knowingly carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon on school premises, transportation, or facilities is guilty of a misdemeanor.	RCW 9.41.280(2)(a)
Second or subsequent violation	Gross Misdemeanor	A second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) is a gross misdemeanor.	RCW 9.41.280(2)(b)

Common questions about possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities in Washington

Is possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?

It depends on the circumstances: possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 9.41.280.

First violation: Misdemeanor (RCW 9.41.280(2)(a)) · Second or subsequent violation: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.41.280(2)(b))

What are the penalties for possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities in Washington?

Penalties for possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor up to a Gross Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by RCW 9A.20.021; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Washington statute covers possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities?

Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities is governed by RCW 9.41.280 (Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities—Penalty—Exceptions).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.