Washington criminal charge
Unsafe storage of a firearm in Washington
Unsafe storage of a firearm is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.41.360. 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 9.41.360.
What is the penalty for unsafe storage of a firearm in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — first degree — A prohibited person obtains access and possession of the unsafely stored firearm and causes personal injury or death with it.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c)); the sentence actually imposed is set by the Sentencing Reform Act standard range (RCW 9.94A.510) from the offense's seriousness level and the defendant's offender score) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — first degree — A prohibited person obtains access and possession of the unsafely stored firearm and causes personal injury or death with it.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — second degree — A prohibited person obtains access and possession of the unsafely stored firearm and discharges it, brandishes it in a manner warranting alarm or intimidation, or uses it in the commission of a crime.; 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 (Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — second degree — A prohibited person obtains access and possession of the unsafely stored firearm and discharges it, brandishes it in a manner warranting alarm or intimidation, or uses it in the commission of a crime.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.
How is unsafe storage of a firearm classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — first degree | Class C Felony | A prohibited person obtains access and possession of the unsafely stored firearm and causes personal injury or death with it. | RCW 9.41.360(2)(a) |
| Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — second degree | Gross Misdemeanor | A prohibited person obtains access and possession of the unsafely stored firearm and discharges it, brandishes it in a manner warranting alarm or intimidation, or uses it in the commission of a crime. | RCW 9.41.360(2)(b) |
Common questions about unsafe storage of a firearm in Washington
Is unsafe storage of a firearm a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: unsafe storage of a firearm ranges from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9.41.360.
Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — first degree: Class C Felony (RCW 9.41.360(2)(a)) · Community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm — second degree: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.41.360(2)(b))
What are the penalties for unsafe storage of a firearm in Washington?
Penalties for unsafe storage of a firearm in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Gross Misdemeanor up to a Class C Felony — 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 unsafe storage of a firearm?
Unsafe storage of a firearm is governed by RCW 9.41.360 (Unsafe storage of a firearm).
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.