Washington Gun Control Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Jeff Burtka, Esq. | Last reviewed June 09, 2021

While the federal government has some limited regulations on firearms, gun control laws are primarily a state law issue. As such, gun control laws vary widely from one state to another.

Washington State Gun Control Laws

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

Relevant Statutes (Laws)	Washington Revised Code, Title 9, 9.41m Sections 9.41.040 through 9.41.810 Unlawful possession of firearms - Section 9.41.040 Carrying firearms - Section 9.41.050 Concealed pistol license - Section 9.41.070 Licensed dealer deliveries—Background checks - Section 9.41.092 Firearm sales or transfers—Background checks - Section 9.41.113 Unlawful firearms - Section 9.41.190 Unlawful firearms and parts contraband - Section 9.41.220 Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities - Section 9.41.280 Possessing dangerous weapons on child care premises - Section 9.41.282
Illegal Arms	It is illegal to manufacture, own, buy, sell, loan, furnish, transport, or possess: Machine guns Bump-fire stocks Undetectable firearms Short-barreled shotguns Short-barreled rifles, unless it complies with federal law 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
Waiting Period	There is a 10-day waiting period after the purchase of a firearm for a dealer to perform a background check. If the buyer passes the background check, the dealer may deliver the firearm to the buyer before the 10 days elapse. If the buyer does not have valid Washington identification or has not been a resident of Washington, the period is extended to 60 days. A licensed dealer may not deliver a semiautomatic assault rifle to a purchaser or transferee until ten business days have elapsed from the date of the purchase application or, in the case of a transfer, ten business days have elapsed from the date a background check is initiated.
Who May Not Own	These individuals may not own a firearm: Individuals convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony prohibiting firearm possession, certain violent or sex crimes, domestic violence or other crimes against a household member, family member, or intimate partner, or a felony in which a firearm was used or displayed Individuals who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) Individuals committed by a court for treatment of mental illness Minors under 18, with some exceptions for possessing a firearm, such as hunting with a license or shooting competitions Individuals with a history of violent acts who have been ruled by a court of law to be incompetent Non-citizens who do not have a green card Individuals convicted three times within five years of driving under the influence
License Required?	Washington does not require a license to own a gun.
Concealed Carry License Required?	To carry a concealed firearm, you must have a concealed pistol license.
Open Carried Allowed?	Open carry is not prohibited, except in places where firearms are 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 obtain a concealed pistol license, you must: Not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under Washington or federal law Be 21 years of age 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 Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. Not have been ordered to forfeit a firearm within one year before filing an application for a concealed pistol license
Machine Gun Laws	It is illegal to manufacture, own, buy, sell, loan, furnish, transport, or possess a machine gun in Washington. The only exception is a machine gun acquired before July 1, 1994, that is possessed in compliance with federal law.
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession	Illegal firearm possession penalties vary depending on the crime. Some firearm possession crimes are misdemeanors, but many are felonies. A class B felony punishable by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term up to 10 years and by a fine up to $20,000. A class C felony punishable by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term up to 5 years and by a fine up to $10,000. Concealed carry without license is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to 90 days, and a fine up to $1,000.
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 gross misdemeanor. The penalties are: Imprisonment up to 1 year and up to a $5,000 fine If the offender has a concealed pistol license, revocation of the license for a period of three years

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 state law(s) you are researching.

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