Court Opinion

ID: 9897983
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-14 19:27:34.665955+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:05.323449
License: Public Domain

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                                                                                                      Filed
                                                                                                Washington State
                                                                                                Court of Appeals
                                                                                                 Division Two

                                                                                                  May 23, 2023
           IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                                DIVISION II
        TERRY L. KINCER,                                                    No. 57196-0-II

                                       Appellant,
                                                                   ORDER GRANTING MOTION
               v.                                                   TO MODIFY OPINION AND
                                                                      AMENDING OPINION
        STATE OF WASHINGTON,

                                       Respondent.

              Appellant Terry Kincer filed a motion to modify language in the court’s April 18, 2023

       published opinion regarding whether a person convicted of fourth degree assault domestic violence is

       prohibited from possessing a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). After consideration, the court

       grants the motion. The court’s opinion is hereby amended as follows:

              (1) On page 6, line 1 of last full paragraph: “fourth degree assault” is replaced with “a

       misdemeanor crime of”;

              (2) On page 7, line 1: “fourth degree assault” is replaced with “a misdemeanor crime of”;

              (3) On page 7, line 4 of first full paragraph: the first “would” is replaced with “could”

       and the second “would” is replaced with “might”;

              (4) On page 7, line 3 of second full paragraph: “would” is replaced with “could”;

              (5) On page 7, line 4 of second full paragraph: “would” is replaced with “might”; and

              (6) On page 8, line 1 of second full paragraph: “would” is replaced with “may”.
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       No. 57196-0-II

             IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                            MAXA, P.J.

        We concur:

        GLASGOW, C.J.

        CHE, J.

                                        2
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                                                                                                        Filed
                                                                                                  Washington State
                                                                                                  Court of Appeals
                                                                                                   Division Two

                                                                                                   April 18, 2023

             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                                DIVISION II
           TERRY L. KINCER,                                                No. 57196-0-II

                                       Appellant,

                v.                                                    PUBLISHED OPINION

           STATE OF WASHINGTON,

                                       Respondent.

               MAXA, J. – Terry Kincer appeals the trial court’s order denying his petition for

       restoration of his right to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040(4).1 Kincer had been

       prohibited from possessing firearms under Washington law as a result of a prior misdemeanor

       fourth degree assault domestic violence conviction.

               It is undisputed that Kincer satisfied the requirements of RCW 9.41.040(4)(a) for having

       his right to possess a firearm restored under Washington law. However, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)

       states that it is unlawful for a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to

       possess firearms. The trial court ruled that this federal statute preempted RCW 9.41.040(4) and

       precluded the restoration of Kincer’s right to possess a firearm under Washington law.

       1
        RCW 9.41.040 was amended after Kincer filed his petition, but the amendments are not
       material to this case. Therefore, we cite to the current version of the statute.
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       No. 57196-0-II

              We hold that (1) Kincer is entitled to restoration of his right to possess a firearm under

       RCW 9.41.040(4) because he has met the enumerated statutory requirements, and (2) 18 U.S.C.

       § 922(g)(9) does not preempt RCW 9.41.040(4) because restoring a person’s right to possess a

       firearm under state law does not conflict with the federal prohibition of possessing a firearm.

       Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order denying Kincer’s petition to restore his right to

       possess a firearm and remand for the trial court to enter an order restoring Kincer’s right to

       possess a firearm under Washington law.

                                                     FACTS

              In 1997, Kincer was convicted of fourth degree assault domestic violence, a gross

       misdemeanor. As a result, he was prohibited from possessing firearms under Washington law.

              In March 2022, Kincer petitioned the trial court for an order restoring his right to possess

       a firearm under RCW 9.41.040(4). In the petition, Kincer declared,

              I have spent at least . . . three consecutive years in the community without being
              convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in any jurisdiction of any felony,
              gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor. I have never been convicted or found not
              guilty by reason of insanity in any jurisdiction of any felony sex offense, class A
              felony, or any felony with a maximum sentence of at least twenty years. I am not
              currently charged in any jurisdiction with any felony, gross misdemeanor, or
              misdemeanor. I have no prior felony convictions that count as part of my offender
              score under RCW 9.94A.525. I have never been involuntarily committed for
              mental health treatment. . . . I have completed all conditions of my misdemeanor
              sentence(s).

       Clerk’s Papers at 2.

              The State opposed Kincer’s petition, arguing that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) precluded him

       from possessing firearms. The State claimed that this federal law preempted state law, and

       therefore Kincer was prohibited from having his right to possess a firearm restored.

              The trial court denied Kincer’s request for restoration of his right to possess a firearm

       under RCW 9.41.040(4). The court ruled that conflict preemption applied because it was not

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       No. 57196-0-II

       possible to apply both RCW 9.41.040(4) and 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). And because federal law

       preempted Washington law, Kincer could not have his right to possess a firearm restored under

       RCW 9.41.040(4).

              Kincer appeals the trial court’s order denying his petition for restoration of his right to

       possess a firearm.

                                                  ANALYSIS

       A.     RESTORATION OF RIGHT TO POSSESS A FIREARM

              Kincer argues that he is entitled to the restoration of his right to possess a firearm under

       RCW 9.41.040(4). We agree.

              Under RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(i), a person is guilty of second degree unlawful possession of

       a firearm if they own, possess, or control any firearm and the person previously was convicted

       (or found not guilty by reason of insanity) of fourth degree assault involving domestic violence.

              However, RCW 9.41.040(4)(a) states that a person who has been prohibited from

       possessing a firearm under subsection (2) “may petition a court of record to have his or her right

       to possess a firearm restored.” The petitioner must not previously have been convicted (or found

       not guilty by reason of insanity) of a sex offense, a class A felony, or a felony with a maximum

       sentence of at least 20 years. RCW 9.41.040(4)(a). In addition, the petitioner must have (1)

       gone three or more consecutive years with no convictions or findings of not guilty by reason of

       insanity; (2) no current felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor charges; (3) no prior felony

       convictions that prohibit the possession of a firearm counted as part of their offender score under

       RCW 9.94A.525; and (4) completed all conditions of their sentence. RCW 9.41.040(4)(a)(ii)(B).

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       No. 57196-0-II

              Significantly here, there is no requirement under RCW 9.41.040(4)(a) that the petitioner’s

       possession of a firearm be lawful under federal law in order to obtain an order restoring the

       petitioner’s right to possess a firearm under Washington law.

              If the petitioner has satisfied the statutory requirements, the trial court is required to enter

       an order restoring the petitioner’s right to possess a firearm. State v. Swanson, 116 Wn. App. 67,

       75, 65 P.3d 343 (2003). “On its face, RCW 9.41.040(4) gives no discretion to the restoring court

       once the enumerated, threshold requirements are met.” Id. If the petitioner has met the statutory

       requirements, the court merely performs a ministerial function to restore the petitioner’s right to

       possess a firearm. Id. at 78.

              Here, Kincer declared, and the State has not contested, that he had satisfied all the

       requirements of RCW 9.41.040(4)(a). Because Kincer has met these requirements, we hold that

       he is entitled to the restoration of his right to possess a firearm under Washington law.

       B.     FEDERAL PREEMPTION OF RCW 9.41.040(4)

              Kincer argues that federal law does not preempt RCW 9.41.040(4) and does not preclude

       him from having his right to possess a firearm restored under Washington law. We agree.

              1.   Legal Principles

              The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, article VI, clause 2, gives the

       federal government the power to preempt state law. Glacier NW, Inc. v. Int’l Brotherhood of

       Teamsters Loc. Union No. 174, 198 Wn.2d 768, 783, 500 P.3d 119 (2021), cert. granted, 145 S.

       Ct. 82 (2022). Conflict preemption occurs when federal and state laws conflict because

       compliance with both is impossible or state law operates as an obstacle to accomplishing the

       purpose of federal law. Sherwood Auburn LLC v. Pinzon, 24 Wn. App. 2d 664, 677, 521 P.3d

       212, (2022), review denied, 1 Wn.3d 1005 (2023). “Compliance is impossible when a federal

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       No. 57196-0-II

       law forbids an action that state law requires.” West v. Seattle Port Comm’n, 194 Wn. App. 821,

       830-31, 380 P.3d 82 (2016).

              However, there is a strong presumption against federal preemption of state law. Waste

       Mgmt. of Wash., Inc. v. Wash. Utils. & Transp. Comm’n, 24 Wn. App. 2d 338, 350, 519 P.3d 963

       (2022), review denied, 1 Wn.3d 1003 (2023). Our Supreme Court “ ‘adhere[s] to a rigorous

       analysis of the preemption issue because of [its] continuing desire to uphold state sovereignty to

       the maximum extent, tempered only by the mandate of the Supremacy Clause of the United

       States Constitution.’ ” Kissan Berry Farm v. Whatcom Farmers Coop., 23 Wn. App. 2d 490,

       501, 516 P.3d 821 (2022) (quoting Hue v. Farmboy Spray Co., 127 Wn.2d 67, 77, 896 P.2d 682

       (1995)). And the party claiming preemption has the burden of proof. Gartner, Inc. v. Dep’t of

       Revenue, 11 Wn. App. 2d 765, 788, 455 P.3d 1179 (2020).

              We review federal preemption issues de novo. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. United Food &

       Com. Workers Int'l Union, 190 Wn. App. 14, 21, 354 P.3d 31 (2015).

              2.   Federal Law

              Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), it is unlawful for anyone “who has been convicted in any

       court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, to ship or transport . . . or possess in or

       affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which

       has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.” This provision is known as

       the Lautenberg Amendment. United States v. Chovan, 735 F.3d 1127, 1137 (9th Cir. 2013).

              A “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” is defined as “a misdemeanor under

       Federal, State, Tribal, or local law” and

              has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use
              of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian
              of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a
              person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent,

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       No. 57196-0-II

              or guardian, by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the
              victim, or by a person who has a current or recent former dating relationship with
              the victim.

       18 U.S.C. § 921(33)(A).

              However, an individual is not considered to have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime

       of domestic violence if

              the conviction has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person
              has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored (if the law of the applicable
              jurisdiction provides for the loss of civil rights under such an offense) unless the
              pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the
              person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.

       18 U.S.C. § 921(33)(B)(ii).

              3.   Preemption Analysis

              The issue here is whether conflict preemption applies. We conclude that RCW

       9.41.040(4) does not conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9).

              Washington law – RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(i) – prohibits a person convicted of fourth degree

       assault domestic violence from possessing a firearm. RCW 9.41.040(4) removes that prohibition

       if certain requirements are satisfied. In other words, once the statutory requirements are satisfied

       and the court enters an appropriate order, it no longer is unlawful under Washington law for a

       person convicted of fourth degree assault domestic violence to possess a firearm.

              Federal law – 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) – prohibits a person convicted of fourth degree

       assault domestic violence from possessing a firearm in or affecting commerce. Like RCW

       9.41.040(4), 18 U.S.C. § 921(33)(B)(ii) allows a person convicted of fourth degree assault

       domestic violence to possess a firearm if certain requirements are satisfied.

              These provisions do not conflict for at least four reasons. First, RCW 9.41.040(4) and 18

       U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) do not conflict with one another because they address different bodies of law.

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       No. 57196-0-II

       18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) states that it is unlawful for a person convicted of fourth degree assault

       domestic violence to possess a firearm under federal law. RCW 9.41.040(4) states when it no

       longer is unlawful for a person convicted of fourth degree assault domestic violence to possess a

       firearm under Washington law.

              Second, one way in which it would be impossible to comply with both state and federal

       law is when state law requires what federal law prohibits. West, 194 Wn. App. at 830-31. RCW

       9.41.040(4) does not require a person convicted of fourth degree assault domestic violence to

       possess a firearm. Such a statute would be preempted because that requirement would be

       prohibited under federal law. Instead, RCW 9.41.040(4) merely allows a person convicted of

       fourth degree assault domestic violence to possess a firearm under certain circumstances.

              Similarly, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) does not require a state to deny a request to restore the

       right of a person convicted of fourth degree assault domestic violence to possess a firearm under

       state law. Such a statute would trigger conflict preemption because the Washington requirement

       would be prohibited under federal law. Instead, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) does not address the

       restoration of a right to possess a firearm by state courts.

              Third, the fact that possession of a firearm may be lawful under RCW 9.41.040(4) does

       not interfere with the application of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). Under the Supremacy Clause, 18

       U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) still controls. See Sherwood Auburn, 521 P.3d at 677. Therefore, it may be

       unlawful under federal law for a person convicted in Washington of fourth degree assault

       domestic violence to possess a firearm regardless of whether that person’s right to possess a

       firearm has been restored under Washington law. RCW 9.41.040(4) has no effect on a person’s

       ability to actually possess a firearm under federal law.

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       No. 57196-0-II

               Fourth, the result would be different if Kincer was demanding that he be allowed to

       possess a firearm. That was the situation in Barr v. Snohomish County Sheriff, 193 Wn.2d 330,

       440 P.3d 131 (2019). In that case, an applicant for a concealed pistol license (CPL) who had

       prior felony convictions filed a petition for writ of mandamus to compel the county sheriff to

       issue him a license. Id. at 333-34. The court held that the sheriff was not required to issue the

       applicant a CPL based on 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Id. at 340. But the court stated that it

       “express[ed] no opinion on [the applicant’s] right to possess firearms as a matter of state law.”

       Id.

               Barr stands for the proposition that federal law would prevent Kincer from demanding

       that he be issued a license to possess a firearm or demanding that he be sold a firearm. But

       Kincer is making no such demands. He merely is petitioning for an order restoring his right to

       possess a firearm under Washington law.

               The State cites to several cases from other jurisdictions to argue that 18 U.S.C.

       § 922(g)(9) preempts RCW 9.41.040(4).2 However, these cases either do not deal with the issue

       of restoring a state right to possess firearms or the relevant state law for restoration of a right to

       possess firearms in those cases specifically reference federal law, unlike RCW 9.41.040(4). And

       none of these cases address preemption.

               We hold that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) does not preempt RCW 9.41.040(4). Therefore,

       Kincer is entitled to have his right to possess a firearm restored under RCW 9.41.040(4).

       2
         Bergman v. Caulk, 938 N.W.2d 248 (Minn. 2020); State ex rel. Suwalski v. Peeler, 2020-Ohio
       3233, 155 N.E.3d 47 (Ct. App.); James v. State, 229 Cal. App. 4th 130, 176 Cal. Rptr. 3d. 806
       (2014); In re Parsons, 218 W. Va. 353, 624 S.E.2d 790 (2005); State v. Wahl, 365 N.J. Super.
       356, 839 A.2d 120 (App. Div. 2004); Pa. State Police v. McPherson, 831 A.2d 800 (Pa.
       Commw. Ct. 2003).

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       No. 57196-0-II

              However, we emphasize that it still may be unlawful for Kincer to possess a firearm

       under federal law. In this situation, trial courts may want to insert a clause in the restoration

       order stating that the order does not affect the petitioner’s right to possess a firearm under federal

       law.

                                                 CONCLUSION

              We reverse the trial court’s order denying Kincer’s petition to restore his right to possess

       a firearm and remand for the trial court to enter an order restoring Kincer’s right to possess a

       firearm under Washington law.

                                                             MAXA, J.

        We concur:

        GLASGOW, C.J.

        CHE, J.

                                                        11