Can I Cross the Washington State Line With a High Capacity Magazine?

Published on April 15, 2022
Duration: 8:32

This video clarifies Washington State's high-capacity magazine ban (Senate Bill 5078) regarding crossing state lines. It explains that 'importing' a magazine into Washington is illegal, but transporting a magazine out of state and returning with the *same* magazine is not considered importing under the new law. This applies to both Washington residents traveling out of state and non-residents visiting Washington, provided they take all magazines back with them.

Quick Summary

Washington State's high-capacity magazine ban (SB 5078) defines 'import' as bringing items into the state without taking them back out. If you are visiting Washington with high-capacity magazines, you are not violating the law as long as you depart with the same magazines you arrived with. Similarly, Washington residents can travel out of state and return with the same magazines.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: High Capacity Magazine Ban Question
  2. 00:51Video Engagement & Viewer Question
  3. 01:05Case Study: Charlie's Idaho to Washington Travel
  4. 02:00The Core Question: Crossing State Lines with Magazines
  5. 02:31Applicable Law: Senate Bill 5078
  6. 02:40Statutory Prohibition: Manufacturing, Importing, Selling
  7. 03:01Focus on the Term 'Import'
  8. 03:34Defining 'Import' Under RCW 9.41
  9. 04:02Official Definition of Import
  10. 04:15Exception: Departing and Returning with Same Magazine
  11. 04:38Lawful Activity Defined by Legislature
  12. 05:04Transporting vs. Importing
  13. 05:17Exporting vs. Importing
  14. 05:23Reverse Scenario: Washington Resident to Idaho
  15. 06:12Bottom Line: Can You Leave and Come Back?
  16. 06:21Non-Residents Visiting Washington
  17. 06:35Consequences of Unlawful Importation
  18. 07:01Further Questions and Contact Information
  19. 07:11Responsibility of Gun Owners
  20. 07:34Channel Update: Subscriber Milestone & Live Session

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my high-capacity magazines into Washington State if I'm just visiting?

Yes, you can bring high-capacity magazines into Washington State if you are visiting, provided you take all of those magazines back with you when you leave. The law defines 'importing' as bringing items into the state without taking them back out, so as long as you depart with the same magazines you arrived with, you are not in violation.

What is the definition of 'import' under Washington's high-capacity magazine ban?

Under Washington's Senate Bill 5078, 'import' is defined as moving, transporting, or receiving an item from a place outside the territorial limits of Washington State to a place inside its territorial limits. Crucially, it does not apply to individuals who depart from and return to Washington with the same large capacity magazine.

If I live in Washington and go shooting in Idaho, can I bring my magazines back?

Yes, you can bring your high-capacity magazines back into Washington State if you are a resident who traveled out of state to shoot. The law specifically excludes situations where an individual possesses a large capacity magazine when departing from and returning to Washington, as long as they return with the same magazine.

What happens if I bring high-capacity magazines into Washington and don't take them all back?

If you bring high-capacity magazines into Washington State and leave with fewer magazines than you brought in, you have unlawfully imported magazines. For example, bringing 20 magazines and leaving with 15 means at least five have been unlawfully imported, constituting a violation of the law.

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