What that meant, is that Washington State law, prior to the passage of this bill, defined flare guns and powder actuated nail guns as firearms.(9) "Firearm" means a weapon or device from which a projectile or
projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. "Firearm"
does not include a flare gun or other pyrotechnic visual distress
signaling device, or a powder-actuated tool or other device designed
solely to be used for construction purposes.
Yeah...that law was badly written.
They shouldn't have fixed it. They should have appropriated funds for prosecution of any and all violators, especially those who used nail guns or flare guns.