Washington Gun Laws

Gun Control Laws in Washington

The State of Washington’s Constitution protects the rights of residents to bear arms. Gun laws for the state, govern how people can use, sell, purchase and transfer firearms in the state. These laws also apply to ammunition. Washington prohibits counties to mandate rules that are stricter than governing statutes. Towns and counties can impose rules about discharging a firearm and where you can carry. Short-barrel shotguns and machine guns are illegal in Washington. Washington has a very long list of restricted areas where you cannot carry a firearm such as airports, courthouses, mental health facilities, schools, jail, prisons, outdoor music festivals, colleges, daycare centers, shelters, and teen program centers. Private firearm sales much go through a licensed dealer with special paperwork that must be filled out. The only exceptions to this are gifts between family members, antique guns, and when guns are bequeathed to you upon someone’s death.

State CCW Quick Facts

Washington’s policy is Shall Issue in practice and its license is issued to residents. You can carry a handgun in: state parks, state and national forests, road side rest areas, vehicle, all areas of the state not listed as forbidden.

Washington CCW Reciprocity Map

These twenty-five states allow a gun permit from Washington for residents, Alabama 

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

These states allow a Washington gun permit for non-residents 

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Washington only honors gun permits from these nine states, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah. These twenty-five states do not allow a Washington gun permit, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Washington Concealed Carry Permit and Laws

Washington is a “Shall Issue” state. Open carry is allowed without a permit, but few residents do it. You do need a permit to carry in your car or public transportation. Washington issues permits to residents and non-residents. The state police or local sheriff’s office can issue permits. You cannot carry in your vehicle without a permit. You do not need to alert an officer if you are carrying but you can legally carry in state parks, national forests, and restaurants that serve alcohol. You do not have to honor “no weapons” signs. Open carry is legal in Washington. You cannot carry in schools, correction facilities, law enforcement buildings, courthouses, mental health families, outdoor music festivals, colleges, parts of airports, childcare facilities, racing grounds, emergency respite centers, youth shelters, rehabs, and teen service areas.

CCW Eligibility: Qualify or Pre-Qualify?

To qualify for a handgun permit in Washington, you first must be 21 years or older. You cannot have any outstanding warrants, arrests or charges against you. You cannot have any felony convictions either. You cannot be awaiting trial for a felony conviction or have any past convictions of firearm offenses. You cannot have a revoked license or been asked to hand over your firearm in the last 12 months. You cannot have any mental health issues. Gun permits cost $36 and last for five years. You must prove you have lived locally for at least 90 days and you will need a valid, photo ID when applying. You will also be fingerprinted, and must agree to a background check.

Washington Gun Background Check

Washington is a partial “point of contact” state, and the local police handle all background checks for licensed dealers per the Brady Act. Washington requires dealers to report anyone who fails the background check to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. They have five days to report the denial. People with a handgun permit are not subject to background checks. Washington has an automated system that alerts dealers of people convicted of domestic abuse offenses so they cannot purchase any firearms.

WA CCW and Pistol Permit Information

WA Concealed Carry License Fee information

Places Where You Can & Can’t Carry a Gun in Washington

Washington CCW Contact

Washington Bureau of Firearms

CCW Licensing Offices in Washington

Reference Links

Counties in Washington