Recognizing there were no specific requirements in the County Code describing how prohibited or restricted shooting zones should be initiated and reviewed, the Pierce County Council amended the Pierce County Code to establish clear criteria for the establishment of a restricted areas in Pierce County and created the Firearms Advisory Commission through the adoption of Ordinance 2004-72s on December 7, 2004.
Handout with applicable regulations.
Upcoming Meetings:
January 10, 2008
Composition of the Firearms Advisory Commission
The citizen members of the Firearms Advisory Commission are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by a majority of the County Council by resolution.
The Firearms Advisory Commission shall consist of nine members:
A. County Sheriff or designee (non voting);
B. Director of the Planning and Land Services Department or designee (non voting);
C. Presidents of three County shooting clubs or designees; and
D. Four resident, registered voters from the unincorporated County.
? The resident voters must provide documentation of a safety firearm class or Washington hunter safety class.
Membership
Sean Gaffney, Chairman
Pierce County Planning and Land Services
(Non-voting member)
sgaffne@co.pierce.wa.us
253.798.2724
Allen Hodges, Vice Chair
Term Expires: July 19, 2009
(Sumner Sportsman Club)
Joseph Price, Secretary
Term Expires: July 19, 2011
Dean Absher
Term Expires: July 19, 2008
Robert Brown
Term Expires: July 19, 2008
(Tacoma Rifle/Revolver Club)
Daniel Koch
Term Expires: July 19, 2009
Karie Lester
Term Expires: July 19, 2009
Sergeant Greg Stonack
Pierce County Sheriff Deputy
(Non-voting member)
Michael Rasmussen
Term Expires: July 19, 2011
(Tacoma Sportsman Club)
Vacancies
Vacancies occurring for any reason shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term(s), or if the vacancy occurs less than three months from the termination of a regular term, the successor shall be appointed for a full term. Appointments to vacancies shall be made pursuant to Section 2.79.020.
How are Firearm Restricted Areas Created?
Citizens petitioning the Council for the creation, dissolution, or amendment of an area where the discharge of firearms shall be prohibited or restricted shall follow the process set forth in this section. Using a form provided by the Council office, the petitioners shall submit to the Council the following:
A. A legal description or map of the proposed boundaries of the area proposed for firearms prohibition or restriction. The map should be on an 8-1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. The map shall not overlap existing prohibited or restricted zones and should place the proposed boundary lines along established features (i.e., roadways, rivers, freeways,
etc.).
B. A cover letter explaining the reasons petitioners would like the prohibited or restricted shooting zone to be formed or dissolved, along with a history of violations in the area, and including a name, address, and phone number of the person who will act as a liaison with the County concerning this proposed firearms prohibition or restriction area. Note that RCW 9.41.300(2) limits County discharge restrictions to areas where there is a
reasonable likelihood that humans, animals, or property will be jeopardized. Other nonauthorized reasons will not be accepted as justification for the proposal of a restricted area.
C. Signatures of at least 60 percent of registered voters owning property within the proposed area. The County Auditor or designee will verify the petition's signatures.
D. The petition must contain the following:
'I am a legally registered voter of the State of Washington in the precinct written after my name below. The portion of such precinct within which I own property is included within the proposed prohibited or restricted shooting area.
My residence address is correctly stated below:
I have personally signed this petition.'
