Gun Laws in Washington

Subject/Law	Long guns	Handguns	Revised Code of Washington	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	Partial	No		Must be 21 to purchase a pistol or semiautomatic rifle; Starting July 1st, 2019 purchase of a semiautomatic rifle will require that the purchaser provides proof that they have completed a recognized firearm safety training program in the last five years.[148]
Firearm registration?	Partial	Partial	RCW 09.41.110(9)(a) and (b)	Retail dealers must record and report all retail pistol sales to local police/sheriff and to state department of licensing, and must record and report all semiautomatic rifle sales after July 1st, 2019.[149]
Owner license required?	No	No
Constitutional Right to Bear Arms?	Yes	Yes	WA Constitution art. 1 sec. 24
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	Yes	RCW 09.41.050 CCW Reciprocity	Washington is a "shall-issue" state and will grant concealed carry permits to all applicants who meet the criteria. There are no training requirements.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	RCW 09.41.050 (in vehicle)	Open carry is lawful in Washington without any permit. Open carry of a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal only with a concealed pistol license. Open carry of a loaded long gun in a vehicle is illegal, regardless of CPL possession. On January 31, 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the mere possession of a handgun is not sufficient for conducting a Terry stop.[150]
State Preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	RCW 09.41.290 RCW 09.41.300	State law does not allow more restrictive local laws. Seattle and Edmonds have passed ordinances mandating safe storage of firearms when not being carried or used. Seattle's ordinance also has reporting requirement for lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours. Both cities are being sued for violation of state preemption.[151][152] Edmonds had its ordinance struck down in October 2019.[153]
Assault weapons law?	Yes	Yes		As of April 25, 2023, the sale, distribution, importation, and manufacturing of semi-automatic firearms classified as assault weapons are prohibited. Possession of assault weapons already owned remains legal.
Magazine capacity restrictions?	Yes	Yes		As of July 1, 2022, the manufacture, distribution, and sale of magazines that have a capacity of over 10 rounds are prohibited. The possession of such magazines, however, is not restricted.
NFA weapons restricted?	Partial	Partial	RCW 09.41.190 RCW 09.41.220 RCW 09.41.225 RCW 09.41.250(1)(c)	Machine guns and short-barreled shotguns—unless purchased before July 1, 1994—are illegal for non-law-enforcement possession. Suppressors, destructive devices and any other weapons are lawful to possess and use if registered properly with ATF. Short barreled rifles are lawful to possess and use if registered properly with the ATF, as of June 12, 2014.[154]
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	No	RCW 09.41.050 RCW 09.41.060 18 USC § 926A CCW Reciprocity	Federal travel-with-a-firearm laws apply. Some out-of-state CCW licenses valid, otherwise carry must be open or, in a vehicle, unloaded.
Castle Doctrine / Stand your ground law?	Not defined - de facto		RCW 9A.16.050, RCW 9A.16.110	The Washington State Supreme Court ruled "that there is no duty to retreat when a person is assaulted in a place where he or she has a right to be."[155][156]
Background checks required for private sales?	Yes	Yes	Initiative 594 (2014)	Private party firearm transfers must be conducted through a licensed dealer, who is required by federal law to conduct a background check and keep a record of the sale, unless one of the specifically enumerated exceptions in RCW 9.41.113.[157]
Red flag law?	Yes	Yes		The police may temporarily take guns away from people a judge deems a threat to themselves or others without notice to the defendant. If the defendant does not appear to request the restrictions be lifted, they will remain in place.[158]

Understanding Gun Laws in Washington State

Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state, and understanding these laws is crucial for responsible gun ownership. In this article, we'll explore the gun laws specific to Washington state. We'll cover topics like permits, registration, owner licensing, and more. Let's dive in!

State Permit Required to Purchase

In Washington, the requirement for a state permit to purchase a firearm is partial for long guns and not required for handguns. However, it's important to note that you must be at least 21 years old to purchase a pistol or semiautomatic rifle. Starting from July 1st, 2019, purchasing a semiautomatic rifle requires proof of completion of a recognized firearm safety training program within the last five years.

Firearm Registration

Firearm registration in Washington is also partial for both long guns and handguns. Retail dealers are required to record and report all retail pistol sales to local police/sheriff and to the state department of licensing. This also applies to all semiautomatic rifle sales after July 1st, 2019.

Owner License

There is no requirement for gun owners in Washington to have an owner license for either long guns or handguns.

Constitutional Right to Bear Arms

The right to bear arms is protected by the Washington Constitution for both long guns and handguns.

Concealed Carry Permit

While a permit is not applicable for long guns, a permit is required for concealed carry of handguns in Washington. The state operates on a "shall-issue" basis, meaning it will grant concealed carry permits to all applicants who meet the criteria. Interestingly, there are no training requirements for obtaining this permit.

Open Carry Permit

Open carry of firearms is lawful in Washington without any permit. However, open carry of a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal only with a concealed pistol license. Open carry of a loaded long gun in a vehicle is illegal, regardless of CPL possession.

State Preemption of Local Restrictions

Washington state law does not allow more restrictive local laws. This means that cities and counties cannot enact gun laws that are more restrictive than state law.

Assault Weapons Law

As of April 25, 2023, the sale, distribution, importation, and manufacturing of semi-automatic firearms classified as assault weapons are prohibited in Washington. However, possession of assault weapons already owned remains legal.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

From July 1, 2022, the manufacture, distribution, and sale of magazines that have a capacity of over 10 rounds are prohibited. However, the possession of such magazines is not restricted.

NFA Weapons Restrictions

NFA (National Firearms Act) weapons are partially restricted in Washington. Machine guns and short-barreled shotguns—unless purchased before July 1, 1994—are illegal for non-law-enforcement possession. Suppressors, destructive devices, and any other weapons are lawful to possess and use if registered properly with ATF.

Peaceable Journey Laws

Washington does not have specific peaceable journey laws. Federal travel-with-a-firearm laws apply. Some out-of-state CCW licenses are valid, otherwise, carry must be open or, in a vehicle, unloaded.

Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground Law

Washington does not have a defined Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground law. However, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that there is no duty to retreat when a person is assaulted in a place where he or she has a right to be.

Background Checks for Private Sales

Background checks are required for private firearm sales in Washington. Private party firearm transfers must be conducted through a licensed dealer, who is required by federal law to conduct a background check and keep a record of the sale.

Red Flag Law

Washington has a red flag law in place. This means that the police may temporarily take guns away from people a judge deems a threat to themselves or others without notice to the defendant.

Understanding gun laws is crucial for responsible gun ownership. Always ensure you're up-to-date with the latest laws and regulations in your state. Stay safe!