• Choose Peace

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    Free firearm lockboxes

    Thanks to funding from Pierce County, we’re distributing biometric lockboxes to Pierce County residents for free. We are distributing a limited number each week through our Family Resource Centers.

    If you’re interested, sign up for our email list and we’ll send you info about upcoming opportunities to pick up a lockbox. Click this link to sign up. When we reach out, the email will come from healthtacomapierce@public.govdelivery.com.

    There’s more than one path. Find yours.

    Nothing is more dangerous than a big decision made quickly with bad info. And one of the biggest decisions you can make is whether to pick up a gun.

    Young people who did pick up a gun often say the same thing later:

    “I wish I’d known what would really happen when I did that.”

      More than 50 people died from gun violence before their 25th birthday.

      (From 2019–2023 in Pierce County)

      Before you pick up a gun, know what can really happen.

      Your choice affects your family, future, and finances.

      When you pick up a gun, lots of different things might happen. Many of them could have lifelong costs. Did you know:

      • If you carry a gun illegally now, you might lose your legal right to carry one in the future.
      • Carrying a gun on school grounds is a mandatory 1-year expulsion under state law in Washington.
      • Secure storage laws require adults to secure firearms? That means if you’re caught with a gun, the adults in your home can face criminal charges.
      • Youth who carry guns are less likely to be eligible for diversion if they commit a crime.

      We talked to people who committed firearm crimes in Pierce County when they were younger. Here’s what they said they wish they’d known:

      “I wish I had known that I would lose my gun rights.”
      “I wish I had known the magnitude of what I would lose. I didn’t care about losing time back then. I cared about family, assets, and financial success and stability. Now I will start in a worse position than the original position that got me here... this place didn’t give me true rehabilitation or anything to address my first set of needs, and now I’m a felon with more needs and even less resources and support than when I was 14 years old to now live as a 24-year-old man.”
      “Those moves I was trying to make to make money, I didn’t know was going to cost me my ability to actually really make money.”
      “I didn't think about how much it would impact my mental health. There are things about this that I'm going to battle for the rest of my life.”

      Your choice affects your freedom.

      If you carry a gun when you’re under 18 in Washington, you can:

      • Get expelled.
      • Go to jail.
      • Lose your right to own a gun as an adult.

      That’s true even if you never fire the gun! One decision can take away future jobs, your option to join the military, and even your freedom.

      Here’s a look at some of the laws that apply:

      Loss of firearm rights

      RCW 9.41.041

      • What it says: If you’re convicted of a felony or a firearm-related offense, you can permanently lose your right to own a gun.
      • What that means for you: You won’t be able to join the military or take other jobs that might require a gun.

      RCW 9.41.280

      • What it says: Guns are banned on school property, including on busses, in the parking lot, at events, and more.
      • What that means for you: You will be expelled for 1 year and face possible felony charges.

      RCW 9.41.360

        • What it says: Adults must secure their firearms.
        • What that means for you: If you use a gun, the adults who own it can be charged.

      RCW 9.41.040

      • What it says: It’s illegal for anyone under 18 to possess a firearm unless supervised during hunting or training.
      • What that means for you: If you have a gun, you could face:
        • Felony charges.
        • Loss of future firearm rights.
        • A permanent criminal record.
        • Loss of driving privileges, if vehicle is used.

      RCW 9.41.250

      • What it says: Illegally carrying weapons other than guns can also bring legal consequences.
      • What that means for you: You can be charged for carrying weapons like brass knuckles, spring-blade knives, sand clubs, and others.

      RCW 9.41.270

          • What it says: It’s illegal to carry or show a weapon in a way that scares or threatens others, even if you don’t say anything.
          • What that means for you: If you use a weapon to scare someone, it can lead to arrest, school discipline, and a criminal record.

      RCW 9A.46.020

      • What it says: Simply having a firearm can lead to harassment charges.
      • What that means for you: If you’re charged with a firearm-related crime, you probably won’t be eligible for diversion. You might go to jail and have a permanent record.

      What it means for you

      Scenario Charge Potential outcomes
      You’re caught with a gun in a bag or backpack. (There is no difference if the gun is loaded or unloaded.) Unlawful possession of a firearm in the 2nd degree per RCW 9.41.040(2).
      May be elevated to 1st degree if there is a prior conviction for a serious offense.      		 Minimum 10 days confinement.
      Firearm prohibition.
      Immigration consequences.
      Required DNA sample.
      School notification.
      You point a gun at someone, including law enforcement. Assault in the 2nd degree, firearm enhanced. Minimum 10 days confinement.
      15–36 weeks at JR plus firearm enhancement (4 months if under 16, 12 months if 16 or 17).*
      You fire a gun and damage property. Aiming or discharging a firearm, malicious mischief in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree (depending on level of damage or intent). Firearm prohibition.
      Immigration consequences.
      Required DNA sample.
      School notification.
      You fire a gun and hurt someone. Assault in the 1st degree, firearm enhanced. If 16 or older: Charged as an adult (up to 10.25 years plus 5 or 10 years for firearm enhancement).*
      If under 16: Minimum 10 days confinement, 103–129 weeks at JR, plus 6-month firearm enhancement.*
      You fire a gun and kill someone. Murder in the 1st degree, firearm enhanced.
      Murder in the 2nd degree, firearm enhanced.
      Manslaughter in the 1st degree, firearm enhanced.
      Manslaughter in the 2nd degree, firearm enhanced.      		 If 16 or older: Charged as an adult (up to 30 years in prison).*
      If under 16: Minimum 10 days confinement.
      Murder: 180 weeks to age 21, plus 6-month firearm enhancement.*
      Manslaughter in the 1st degree: 15–36 weeks, plus 6-month firearm enhancement.*
      Manslaughter in the 2nd degree: 6-month firearm enhancement.*
      You’re on probation and the court hears that you have a firearm. (This could include info on social media.) Probation violation.
      New charge: unlawful possession of a firearm in the 1st or 2nd degree (see above).      		 Up to 30 days confinement.

      *Includes firearm prohibition, immigration consequences, required DNA sample, and school notification.

      Want to make the right choice? You have help.