State Supreme Court refuses to hear minor’s right to gun possession

OLYMPIA — The Washington Supreme Court has taken a pass on whether the state’s restrictions on youth gun possession violate the state or federal constitutions.

Eight of the nine justices agreed today that a 17-year-old caught with a handgun in Kitsap County in 2007 did not present enough evidence for them to consider whether the restrictions violated his right to keep and bear arms. They say they might take up the issue another day.

Washington bans gun possession by minors except in instances such as hunter safety courses, military service, or being under adult supervision. In this case, Christopher Sieyes was arrested with a semiautomatic handgun after a traffic stop, and none of the exceptions applied.

One justice, James Johnson, held that the court should have stricken down Washington’s restrictions as a violation of fundamental rights.