The purpose of Articles I and II of this chapter is to establish a process for the establishment, alteration, or dissolution of "no shooting" areas in unincorporated Jefferson County and to provide regulation of the discharge of firearms in such areas as provided in Articles I and II of this chapter. The creation of a no shooting area shall be considered in accordance with RCW 9.41.300(2)(a) wherein counties are authorized to enact laws and ordinances restricting the discharge of firearms "where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property may be jeopardized." County officials shall endeavor to facilitate solutions within communities to resolve concerns leading to petitions for no shooting areas. Areas considered for creation, alteration, or dissolution of a no shooting area shall be considered on an individual basis to adequately assess the motivation for the proposal and to resolve existing differences regarding an area. Creation of a no shooting area must be realistically enforceable in the area designated.
(Ord. 2-07 § 1; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
The designation of a no shooting area shall continue to allow:
(1) 
The use of firearms by citizens pursuant to RCW 16.08.020 regarding dogs, or other animals, endangering livestock.
(2) 
The lawful use of a firearm by a law enforcement officer in the performance of their duties.
(3) 
The use of firearms to lawfully slaughter farm animals.
(4) 
The lawful use of force by citizens.
(5) 
The operation of an indoor shooting facility which has obtained an operating permit or provisional operating permit pursuant to Article III of this chapter.
(6) 
The operation of a commercial shooting facility that has an operating permit or a provisional operating permit issued pursuant to Article III of this chapter.
(Ord. 2-07 § 2; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or to propel from any portion of Jefferson County any projectile discharged from any firearm across, in or into a no shooting area established by Jefferson County. Articles I and II of this chapter shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by Article I, Section 24 of the State Constitution to bear arms in defense of self or others.
(Ord. 2-07 § 3; Ord. 2-17; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
"Firearm" means a weapon or device from which a projectile or projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. The definition of "firearm" includes the terms "pistol," "rifle," "short-barreled rifle," "shotgun," "short-barreled shotgun," "machine gun," and "antique firearm" as those terms are defined in RCW 9.41.010. The term "firearm" shall not include: (1) devices, including but not limited to "nail guns," which are used as tools in the construction or building industries and which would otherwise fall within this definition; or (2) a "destructive device" as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(2).
(Ord. 2-07 § 4; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
(1) 
The process for the creation, alteration, or dissolution of a no shooting area can be initiated in accordance with RCW 9.41.300, wherein counties are authorized to enact laws and ordinances restricting the discharge of firearms "where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property may be jeopardized," by either:
(a) 
A petition filed by residents containing the signatures of at least 20 elector-residents of each voting precinct in the area under consideration; or
(b) 
A majority vote of the board of county commissioners.
(2) 
Petitions or requests for the creation of a no shooting area or to alter or dissolve an existing no shooting area by the Jefferson County board of commissioners shall be filed with the clerk of the board of county commissioners. The petition or request must be based on a definable threat to the public health, safety or general welfare.
(3) 
The petition or request must include a legal description of the proposed boundaries with: a map showing the proposed area, a written statement explaining the reasons for the petition, and a statement, where applicable, of reported incidence involving firearms in the petition area.
(4) 
After petition signatures have been verified by the Jefferson County auditor-elections and the board of county commissioners finds the petition warrants consideration, the county commissioners shall hold a public hearing regarding the petition or may choose to facilitate an amicable solution within the proposed area or may assign a review committee to consider the merit of the petition specific to the area under consideration. The county commissioners may have the review committee consider the petition before establishing a date for the public hearing. Treaty tribes will be contacted by the county to identify any concerns and invite their participation.
(a) 
The review committee shall consist of:
(i) 
The county sheriff or his designee.
(ii) 
The director of the department of community development, or his designee.
(iii) 
Three residents-at-large to be appointed by the county commissioners.
(iv) 
At least one representative of tribal interests will be invited.
(v) 
Representative stakeholders from the petition area as determined by the county commissioners, with the goal of including persons from all sides of any contended or questionable issue.
(b) 
The review committee shall consider, but is not limited to consideration of, the location, terrain and surrounding land use of the petition area. The committee shall also consider any additional instructions given by the county commissioners at the assignment of the committee. The county commissioners shall hold a public hearing on the review committee's recommendations soon after they are received by the commission.
(5) 
Legal notice of the public hearing shall be published one time in the official newspaper of the county at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
(6) 
If the county commissioners find the formation, alteration, or dissolution of the petitioned area to be beneficial to the public health, safety or general welfare, the area shall be established, altered, or dissolved as a no shooting area by ordinance. The board of commissioners shall consider, but is not limited to considerations of, the location, terrain and surrounding land use of the petitioned area. The board of commissioners shall determine the final boundaries for the creation of a no shooting area.
(7) 
Public works may post signs along public roads indicating a no shooting area boundary where deemed necessary. The department of community development shall inform development and permit applicants if a parcel is within a no shooting area.
(Ord. 2-07 § 5; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
(1) 
Any person discharging a firearm in a no shooting area is guilty of a misdemeanor. It shall not be a violation of Articles I and II of this chapter when a person discharges a firearm in accordance with the provisions of RCW 9A.16.020.
(2) 
Any law enforcement officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed a violation of Articles I and II of this chapter has the authority to arrest the person.
(3) 
The first offense for violation of Article I or II of this chapter constitutes a civil penalty not to exceed $100.00. Consecutive offenses are punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed $250.00 or by confinement in the county jail for a period of not more than 90 days.
(Ord. 2-07 § 6; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
Enforcement of Articles I and II of this chapter may be by any state or county law enforcement officer, state game officer, or state fish and wildlife officer. All such enforcement officers are empowered to issue citations to and/or arrest without warrant persons violating the provisions of Articles I and II of this chapter. Said enforcement officers may serve and execute all warrants, citations and other process issued by the courts.
In addition, mailing by registered mail of such warrant, citation or other process to the last known place of residence of the offender shall be deemed as personal service upon the person charged. Said enforcement officers may seize and hold as evidence the weapon and ammunition of any person violating the provisions of Articles I and II of this chapter.
(Ord. 2-07 § 7; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))
In the event any other county ordinance, whether or not codified, is in conflict with any of the terms of Articles I and II of this chapter, the more stringent shall be construed as applicable.
(Ord. 2-07 § 8; Ord. 4-20 § 1 (Appx. A))