The Law Office of Mark Knapp PLLC operates out of Washington State, specializing in criminal defense and firearms law since 1989. Mark Knapp graduated from Gonzaga Law School and has spent 32+ years practicing law with particular focus on constitutional law and Second Amendment litigation. This isn'...
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The Law Office of Mark Knapp PLLC operates out of Washington State, specializing in criminal defense and firearms law since 1989. Mark Knapp graduated from Gonzaga Law School and has spent 32+ years practicing law with particular focus on constitutional law and Second Amendment litigation.
This isn't a gun store or range. Knapp handles:
Chabuk Self-Defense Acquittal (2022) Kamuran Chabuk was acquitted of Second Degree Assault charges nine years after a self-defense shooting in Bellingham. The case involved multiple aggressors and disparity of force issues. After a jury convicted Chabuk in 2015, Judge Ira Uhrig ruled prosecutorial misconduct required a new trial. The Washington Court of Appeals upheld that decision in 2019. At the 2022 bench trial, Knapp successfully argued the defendant had no reasonable alternatives based on the circumstances—even though the aggressor was unarmed—due to multiple attackers closing distance and the threat of having his gun taken.
Second Degree Assault Acquittal (2023) Obtained acquittal on open-carry shotgun case in Snohomish County (three-day jury trial). The case centered on whether open-carrying a shotgun in an apartment complex parking lot constituted a threat justifying the complaining witness to grab the loaded weapon.
"Since 1993, the Law Firm of Mark Knapp PLLC has specialized in NFA Gun Trusts and working with courts to restore clients' right to possess firearms in Washington."
NFA & Gun Trusts Knapp handles comprehensive gun trusts designed for all your firearms—not just NFA items. These trusts provide: - Multi-generational ownership without individual CLEO approvals - Asset protection for your firearms collection - Proper transfer to heirs and beneficiaries - Compliance with federal NFA requirements
As of June 2023, the ATF no longer requires CLEO signature approval for individuals obtaining Title II firearms, which simplified the process considerably.
Washington Gun Rights Restoration If you have a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor conviction, you may be able to vacate it under Washington law and restore your gun rights. When a conviction is vacated, you're released from penalties and disabilities—and importantly, from the prohibition against possessing firearms. This requires specific legal procedures that vary by conviction type.
Knapp's firm provides analysis and representation regarding:
| Regulation | Details |
|---|---|
| HB 1240 (Assault Weapon Ban) | Analysis of what constitutes "assault weapons" under Washington law; ban on sale/manufacturing; no prohibition on possession |
| High-Capacity Magazines | Transfers/sales of magazines over 10 rounds became gross misdemeanor (July 1, 2022); civil penalties apply; limited exceptions for .22 rifles and lever-action |
| Machine Guns/Automatics | ATF prohibits ANY automatic weapon transfer into Washington since July 1, 1994 (except departmental purchases); no antique exemptions |
| Self-Defense Law | Representation in cases involving use of force, disparity of force, multiple aggressors, and justifiable homicide |
Knapp specifically notes that expungement does not restore gun rights in Washington. A separate Petition to Restore the Right to Possess Firearms (RCW 9.41.040) is required. His firm navigates these distinctions and the many pitfalls that can arise in restoration cases.
If you've been charged with a firearm-related crime or self-defense shooting in Washington, or need to restore gun rights after a conviction, Knapp's firm emphasizes "aggressive" representation against government overreach.
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