{"id":377105,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-gun-control-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-30T17:11:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T22:11:00","slug":"washington-gun-control-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-gun-control-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Gun Control Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Gun Control Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Increases in state firearm deaths and the prevalence of mass shootings bring new efforts each year to prevent gun violence. While the federal government has some limited regulations<\/a> on firearms, political battles in Congress often prevent new federal legislation.<\/p>\r\n

As a result, gun control laws<\/a> are primarily a state law issue. They vary widely from one state to another. Washington has some of the stricter gun control laws in the nation. For example, state lawmakers placed limits on high-capacity magazines in 2022 and enacted a ban on assault weapons in 2023.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Firearms Law<\/h2>\r\n

At the national level, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives<\/a> (ATF) plays a key role in issuing federal gun licenses to firearms dealers. It also serves as a federal law enforcement agency that enforces illegal trafficking in firearms and other crimes.<\/p>\r\n

Federal gun laws ban certain persons, like convicted felons, from possessing firearms. They also created the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS<\/a>) that helps prevent gun sales to prohibited persons.<\/p>\r\n

Washington State Gun Control Laws<\/h2>\r\n

The State of Washington has a comprehensive set of firearms laws that promote gun safety and protect gun owners’ rights. In 2020, the Washington legislature created the Office of Firearm Safety and Gun Violence Prevention<\/a>. This agency coordinates state efforts to promote violence-reduction strategies.<\/p>\r\n

Regulation of Gun Purchases and Sales<\/h3>\r\n

Washington voters have passed several laws by ballot initiative to address concerns about the purchase and sale of guns. In 2016, voters approved a law that provides for universal background checks. Private sales must take place through licensed firearms dealers to ensure that a background check on the purchaser takes place.<\/p>\r\n

In 2017, voters approved a red flag law through which courts can issue an extreme risk protection order to keep guns out of the hands of those who are a threat to themselves or others. In 2018, a ballot initiative passed that raised the minimum age to buy handguns and semi-automatic rifles to 21.<\/p>\r\n

In 2023, Gov. Jay Inslee also signed a new law<\/a> that requires a waiting period and proof of firearms safety training for all gun purchases. A gun dealer can’t deliver a firearm until the buyer passes the criminal background check and 10 days have elapsed. All background checks go through the state highway patrol and NICS.<\/p>\r\n

Concealed Carry License Required<\/h3>\r\n

If you want to carry a concealed firearm in Washington state, you must apply for a concealed pistol license (CPL). Apply to the sheriff in the county where you live or the chief law enforcement officer in your municipality. Non-residents can apply to any appropriate authority in the state.<\/p>\r\n

To qualify for a license, you must be at least 21 years old and not be prohibited from possessing a gun under state or federal law. You must pass a criminal background check and not have any felony charges pending against you. You also cannot have any pending felony or misdemeanor warrants.<\/p>\r\n

Washington will grant reciprocity for gun licenses from other states under limited circumstances. The Office of the Washington Attorney General maintains a list of states whose laws qualify for reciprocity<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Unless you have a CPL, you can only carry a loaded pistol on your person at your home or your fixed place of business.<\/p>\r\n

Even those who get a CPL must follow certain state location restrictions. With some exceptions for law enforcement officers and others, you can’t carry firearms into the following locations:<\/p>\r\n