State v. Anderson

— Thaddius X. Anderson appeals his second degree unlawful possession of a firearm conviction, contending that the trial court erred in instructing the jury that the State is not required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he knew that he possessed a firearm. In addition, he maintains that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the handgun was a “firearm” as defined in the unlawful possession of a firearm statute, RCW 9.41.010(1).

Knowledge of the presence of a firearm is not an element of second degree unlawful possession of a firearm. And…