Washington Gun Control Laws

By John Mascolo, Esq. | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq. | Last reviewed October 30, 2024

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 on firearms, political battles in Congress often prevent new federal legislation.

As a result, gun control laws 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.

Federal Firearms Law

At the national level, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (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.

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

Washington State Gun Control Laws

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. This agency coordinates state efforts to promote violence-reduction strategies.

Regulation of Gun Purchases and Sales

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.

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.

In 2023, Gov. Jay Inslee also signed a new law 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.

Concealed Carry License Required

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.

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.

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.

Unless you have a CPL, you can only carry a loaded pistol on your person at your home or your fixed place of business.

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:

Courtrooms and court buildings
Schools
Restricted areas of public mental health facilities
Any portions of an establishment classified as off limits to persons under 21 by the state liquor control board
Restricted areas of airports
Public libraries
Zoos and aquariums
Transit stations and facilities
Facilities used for school board meetings
Ballot counting centers
Restricted areas of jails, correctional facilities, or law enforcement offices
Outdoor music festivals

Also, open carry of firearms is not allowed in these locations:

The state capitol grounds or buildings
State legislative offices
State legislative hearings or meetings
Local government hearings or meetings
Polling places
County elections and voter registration office
A student engagement hub

State rules may also ban carrying firearms on college or university campuses.

Assault Weapons and Large-Capacity Magazines

Washington bans many dangerous weapons, including assault weapons, undetectable or ghost guns, and accessories like large-capacity magazines and bump stocks. There may be exceptions for members of the armed forces or state and local law enforcement. The state may allow ownership of some of these items when an owner got the weapons before a date specified in the law.

Washington state law provides a list of specific firearms banned as assault weapons, and the features of certain firearms that will cause them to fall under the assault weapon ban. The state bans the sale, manufacture, import, and distribution of assault weapons, but not their possession.

Child Access and Vehicle Restrictions

In Washington, a minor child (under 18 years of age) can't have a firearm unless they meet one of several specific exceptions, such as attending a hunter or firearms safety course or lawfully hunting under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Only those 21 or older can buy a handgun or semiautomatic rifle.

If a gun owner stores a gun in a manner where they know that an ineligible person may gain access, they may face criminal penalties if that person gains access and discharges or otherwise uses the weapon to intimidate or commit a crime.

Washington also bans having a loaded pistol in a vehicle unless the person in possession of the pistol has a CPL and keeps the gun on their person. A licensed gun owner cannot leave the loaded pistol in an unlocked vehicle or in a place where someone can see it from outside the vehicle.

A person who is at least 18 years old also cannot leave an unloaded firearm in a vehicle unless it is locked and concealed from view.

Overview of Washington State Gun Control Laws

In Washington, gun control laws vary depending on the type of gun. The basics of Washington gun control laws are below.

Relevant Washington State gun laws	Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 9, Crimes and Punishments, Chapter 9.41, Firearms and Dangerous Weapons (Sections 9.41.010 through 9.41.815) Definitions — Section 9.41.010 Unlawful possession of firearms — Section 9.41.040 Children — permissible firearm possession — Section 9.41.042 Carrying firearms — Section 9.41.050 Exceptions to restrictions on carrying firearms — Section 9.41.060 Concealed pistol license — Section 9.41.070 Delivery to ineligible persons — Section 9.41.080 Dealer deliveries regulated — Section 9.41.090 Licensed dealer deliveries — Background checks — Section 9.41.092 Firearms frames or receivers — Background checks — Section 9.41.111 Firearm sales or transfers — Background checks — Section 9.41.113 Firearm sales and transfers - firearms safety training program — Section 9.41.1132 Alteration of identifying marks — exceptions — Section 9.41.140 Unlawful firearms — Section 9.41.190 Unlawful firearms and parts contraband — Section 9.41.220 Possession of pistol or semiautomatic rifle by a person from 18 to 21 — Section 9.41.240 Dangerous weapons - penalties — Section 9.41.250 Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities — Section 9.41.280 Possessing dangerous weapons on childcare premises — Section 9.41.282 Possessing dangerous weapons at voting facilities — Section 9.41.284 Weapons prohibited in certain places — Section 9.41.300 Untraceable firearms — Section 9.41.326 Unsafe storage of a firearm — Section 9.41.360 Large capacity magazines — Section 9.41.370 Assault weapons — Section 9.41.390
Illegal arms	Unless otherwise permitted under federal law, it is illegal to possess: Machine guns Bump-fire stocks Undetectable firearms Short-barreled shotguns Short-barreled rifles Any parts designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in a machine gun, bump-fire stock, undetectable firearm, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, or in converting a weapon into a machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle Untraceable firearms Firearms with altered or removed identification marks Unfinished frames or receivers Silencers For those under 21, with few exceptions, it is illegal to possess: Pistols Semiautomatic rifles The following items are also illegal to manufacture, import, distribute, or sell under most circumstances: Assault weapons Large capacity magazines
Waiting period	There is a 10-day waiting period after the purchase of a firearm for a licensed gun dealer to perform a background check. The 10 days begin at the time the request was made for the criminal background check by the dealer.
Who may not own	These people may not have a firearm: Those convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) of any felony or "serious offense." Those convicted or found NGRI of certain crimes committed against a family or household member or intimate partner after July 1, 1993, including assault in the fourth degree, coercion, stalking, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass in the first degree, or violation of a protection order Those convicted or found NGRI of harassment against a family or household member or intimate partner after June 7, 2018. Those convicted or found NGRI of certain other misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor crimes, including domestic violence, stalking, cyberstalking, cyber harassment, harassment, aiming or discharging a firearm, unlawful carry of a firearm, animal cruelty in the second degree, or DUI within the last seven years, after July 23, 2023 Those convicted or found NGRI of violation of provisions of a protection order after July 1, 2022 Those convicted or found NGRI of violations of orders to surrender and prohibit weapons; an extreme risk protection order; or no-contact or restraining order issued by a court after July 23, 2023 Those committed by a court for treatment of mental disorder Those who saw dismissal of charges based on incompetency to stand trial when a court finds the individual has a history of violent acts Minors under 18, with some exceptions for possessing a firearm, such as hunting with a license or shooting competitions A person who is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial for a serious offense A person otherwise banned from firearm possession under federal law
License required?	No. Washington does not require a license to own a gun.
Concealed carry license required?	Yes. To carry a concealed firearm, you must have a concealed pistol license (CPL).
Open carry allowed?	Yes. Open carry is legal, except in places where firearms are prohibited or places where open carry is expressly prohibited. It is illegal to carry, exhibit, display, or draw a firearm or any weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm in a manner that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.
Eligibility for a concealed carry license	To get a concealed pistol license (CPL), you must: Not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under Washington or federal law Be 21 or older at the time of application Have no court order or injunction against possessing a firearm Not have a pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a felony offense Not have an outstanding warrant for any charge Not have been ordered to forfeit a firearm within one year before filing an application for a concealed pistol license Not currently have a CPL that is in revoked status Submit a set of your fingerprints Pass a criminal background check Submit a current photo of yourself
Machine gun laws	Unless otherwise permitted under federal law, it is illegal to manufacture, own, buy, sell, loan, furnish, transport, or possess a machine gun in Washington state. The only exception is a machine gun acquired before July 1, 1994, that is in compliance with federal law.
Penalties for illegal possession on or near school grounds	Possessing a firearm on public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools is a misdemeanor. The penalties are: First offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by confinement in jail for up to 90 days; a fine of up to $1,000; or both. Second or later offense is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by confinement in jail for up to 364 days; a fine of up to $5,000; or both. For any offense, if the offender has a concealed pistol license, revocation of the license for a period of three years.
Red flag law?	Yes. In 2017, voters enacted a red flag law permitting a court to remove and deny the use of firearms to a person the court finds presents a threat of harm to self or others. See Section 7.105.100(1)(e).
Universal background checks?	Yes. In 2016, voters enacted a law providing for universal background checks for all firearm purchases and transfers. Private sales and transfers must go through a licensed dealer so that a background check can be completed.
Stand-your-ground law?	Yes. Although Washington lawmakers never passed a specific statute, the courts have held that a person acting in self-defense has no duty to retreat before the use of force if the person claiming self-defense is in a place they have a right to be. See State v. Redmond (2003).

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the status of any state law(s) you are reviewing.

Court Challenges After the Bruen Case

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, striking down a New York gun license law. The 6-3 ruling by the Court altered decades of case precedent in the lower courts related to firearms regulation and the Second Amendment.

The Court's majority held that courts must use a new "historical" test when reviewing gun regulations that interfere with the right to bear arms. If the law at issue infringes on gun rights, then the government must show that its public safety reasons for the law are consistent with regulations at the time of the Second Amendment's enactment.

The Bruen ruling has led to an increase in legal challenges in the courts. Federal courts have struggled to apply the new test. In Washington, the state's new ban on the sale of large-capacity gun magazines faces appeal through the courts.

Research the Law

Washington Law
Washington Legal Research
Official State Codes — Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.