• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Carrying a pistol in LOCKBOX in BACKPACK on Campus

ecdirtdevil

Newbie
Joined
Mar 28, 2015
Messages
1
Location
United States
Hey guys,

I am currently a student at a universtiy in washington. After the shooting at SPU I've always been conscious of the fact that I don't have my gun on campus.

I am under 21 and bought my handgun through a private transfer, so I do not have a conceal carry. I am trying to think of a way that I conceal carry my pistol in my backpack, so that if a bad situation arises somewhere on my campus I can keep myself and those in my immediate area safe.

My thought was to buy one of these, http://www.amazon.com/Barska-Book-Safe-Combination-Lock/dp/B00BGIY06A , wrap a piece of cloth around my gun (prevent metal to metal clanging noise), and call it good.

Please correct me if I am wrong but first off if an officer wanted to randomly search my backpack while I am on campus he could not. I could just use my 4th and 5th amendment right?
Let's say he does look through my back pack however, and see's that one of the books is actually a safe. Now he does not have the combination code to get into the safe. If he wanted to look at the contents he would have to break it open. This again is against the 4th amendment. Showing a broken safe in court, all charges would have to be dismissed.

The particular box I bought is a different model then the one I attatched, it is an engineering book cover. I found though with this type of safe the edges of the safe can be pryed slightly to get a slight look inside.


My question is would an officer "prying" the box to look inside, be the same as attempting to break the safe? This is another reason why I plan to wrap my firearm in a piece of cloth, that way all that is seen is cloth.

I am also curious if I can carry my gun loaded in this safe, in my backpack, in a vehicle. I am not completely aware of all the laws and what rights officers have for searching your vehicle (pack in your vehicle) if I were to get pulled over.

Thank you guys for your feedback. Protecting our rights in this time and age is a difficult task that we all most fight for together.

God bless.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Welcome to OCDO ecdirtdevil.

Moved your post to the Washington sub-forum as most of your questions are state and school specific.

Others should be along shortly to offer their assistance.
 

golddigger14s

Activist Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
2,068
Location
Lawton, OK USA
Just to keep it short, and simple. You are under 21, and you carry a loaded gun concealed in this state without a CPL you are breaking the law. If you have a gun that is so secure in a lockbox it will do you no good anyway. I'm sure that having a gun on your campus is a violation of your student code of conduct also. For now get some pepper spray, or a taser. Also read the stickies about WA laws, and do some more research unless you have a lot of money to pay a lawyer.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Welcome to OCDO. Please do not conceal without a CPL. It is possible to lose your Rights for acting outside the law.
Would amend that to "Please do not conceal illegally" or "Please do not carry illegally."

There are places/circumstances where a permit/license is not required. and/or no permit is needed to OC. Individual state laws will determine that.
 

Grim_Night

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
776
Location
Pierce County, Washington
Please learn these things well. You may lawfully carry concealed under the age of 21 without a Concealed Pistol License in the state of Washington by simply following these simple quotes.

RCW 9.41.060
Exceptions to restrictions on carrying firearms.

The provisions of RCW 9.41.050 shall not apply to:

(9) Any person while carrying a pistol unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper; or

RCW 9.41.010
Terms defined.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(14) "Loaded" means:
(a) There is a cartridge in the chamber of the firearm;
(b) Cartridges are in a clip that is locked in place in the firearm;
(c) There is a cartridge in the cylinder of the firearm, if the firearm is a revolver;
(d) There is a cartridge in the tube or magazine that is inserted in the action; or
(e) There is a ball in the barrel and the firearm is capped or primed if the firearm is a muzzle loader.

Notice that Washington state law does not dictate that the ammo and firearm must be separate from each other. You may lawfully keep for example a semi auto pistol in a backpack with a fully loaded mag in the same backpack and in fact, in the same compartment as the firearm. Some people may tell you differently. Some police officers will most likely tell you differently. They are WRONG.

As for carrying on campus at UW, the worst they can do is kick you out for a rules violation as you are not violating any criminal laws by carrying on campus. If you never have to use the firearm and keep it concealed at all times, nobody is the wiser. IF you should ever have to use it in order to protect your life or the life of another, in my opinion, the student code of conduct be damned. My life is much more important to me then some stupid school rule aimed at disarming me and making me a victim.

If in doubt about anything I have stated here, feel free to consult with a lawyer. But Washington state law regarding this issue is pretty well spelled out.
 

OrangeIsTrouble

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
1,398
Location
Tukwila, WA, ,
Hmmm if i had some big pockets, I'd rock a pocket pistol. 380 in a very slim case thats opaque of course...and a mag in another pocket. No need for a case for that.
 
Last edited:

Seriona

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
151
Location
Snohomish, WA
Hopefully you do have a semi and not a revolver, even with a speed loader or moon clips, it's still a pain to load in a hurry. I am not telling you to break the law but this is your firearm and your safety at stake so do what you think needs to be done to protect yourself from A$$ hats who want to harm you.
 
Top