King County Sheriff’s deputies say a routine transit emphasis patrol turned startling on Friday, when they discovered what officials described as a military-style machine gun on a rider aboard a public bus. The encounter, which unfolded during a push to boost law enforcement visibility on the system, was captured on video. Authorities have not yet released details about the rider or whether any criminal charges have been filed.
As reported by KIRO 7, the station aired footage showing deputies locating the large weapon during the emphasis patrol. The television report described the weapon as military-style and noted that deputies were on a transit safety mission when they encountered the rider. KIRO 7’s coverage includes raw video of the stop that the station obtained.
Transit policing in King County
The King County Sheriff’s Office provides contracted transit policing for Metro and Sound Transit and says deputies routinely patrol buses, shelters and stations, according to King County Metro. Emphasis or “visibility” patrols are a standard tactic used to deter crime on the system and to back up transit operators when incidents occur. Deputies assigned to transit work alongside Metro and Sound Transit on investigations and broader public safety responses.
Legal implications
Under Washington law, possession of a machine gun is generally unlawful. State statute RCW 9.41.190 prohibits manufacturing, possessing or transporting a machine gun and classifies a violation as a class C felony. The law also outlines narrow exemptions for peace officers and licensed manufacturers operating under federal law, which means a functioning automatic weapon in civilian hands can bring serious criminal exposure. For the statute’s full text and exemptions, see the Washington Legislature.
Why patrols have been stepped up
Transit safety has been under a brighter spotlight regionally since the December killing of King County Metro operator Shawn Yim, after which agencies moved to bolster protections for both drivers and passengers. Measures have included calls for stronger operator protections, expanded use of driver barriers and increased security staffing. Metro and union leaders have held memorial events and pressed officials for concrete safety changes, and those efforts have helped spur coordinated emphasis patrols across agencies, according to reporting and Metro’s own updates. For background on the region’s push to improve safety for drivers and riders, see KNKX…