Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task armed Americans must undertake. To help with that, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of Washington gun laws. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Evergreen State below.
Can You Carry a Gun in Washington State?
Open carry is legal without a permit. The minimum age to carry a loaded handgun in public is 21 years old.
Washington Concealed Carry Permit
Concealed carry is legal for residents with a Washington Concealed Pistol License (CPL) and for non-residents with a license/permit from a state that Washington honors. CPLs are issued to residents and non-residents that are at least 21 years old. In terms of reciprocity, Washington recognizes permits from other states that meet specific requirements.
Stand-Your-Ground Laws
Washington does not have a specific “Stand Your Ground” or Castle law. However, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that there is no duty to retreat if a person is in a place he or she has the lawful right to be and is being assaulted. No person in the state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting, by any reasonable means necessary, himself or herself, his or her family, or his or her real or personal property. The same is true if the person is coming to the aid of another who is in imminent danger of assault, robbery, kidnapping, arson, burglary, rape, murder or any other violent crime.
Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements
Permits are not required when buying a handgun. There is no firearm registration in Washington. However, retail dealers must record and report all retail pistol sales to local police/sheriff and the State Department of Licensing. With limited exceptions, private-party transfers of firearms must be conducted through a federally licensed firearm dealer (FFL).
A person must be at least 18 years old to possess or transport a handgun in Washington. Although there is no mandatory waiting period for handguns, Washington allows 10 days to complete a background check on a prospective handgun purchaser prior to delivery of the handgun. If the purchaser does not have a valid permanent Washington driver’s license or state identification card, the time period can be extended to 60 days. The 60-day waiting period may also occur if the purchaser has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive 90 days.
Does Washington Have Ammunition and Magazine Restrictions
On March 23, 2022, Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 5078 into law, prohibiting the manufacture, importation, distribution, selling and offering for sale of rifle and pistol magazines that hold 10 or more rounds. It went into effect on July 1, 2022.
Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons
An individual may carry a personal protection pepper spray device, stun gun or Taser for personal protection. All of those listed are legal to purchase and possess without a permit.
Where Can One Carry Concealed in Washington?
Understanding where you can and cannot carry a firearm is crucial for staying compliant with Washington gun laws. The state has specific locations where carrying a concealed handgun is allowed and places where it is strictly prohibited, even for permit holders. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure you are always carrying legally and responsibly.
Other areas where permit holders can carry concealed are:
- Areas of restaurants where persons under the age of 21 are allowed (however, concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants)
- State/national parks
- State/national forests
- Wildlife Management Areas
- Places of worship (unless posted)
Locations where concealed carry is prohibited even for permit holders include:
- Bars or the bar areas of restaurants
- Public or private elementary or secondary school premises, areas of other facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools, and school-provided transportation
- Licensed child care facilities and emergency respite centers
- University of Washington
- Correctional facilities
- Law enforcement facilities
- Any area of a building used in connection with court proceedings
- Restricted access areas of public mental health facilities
- The grounds of any state institution for the care and treatment of mental illness
- Any portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor and cannabis board as off-limits to persons under 21 years of age
- Secured areas in airports
- All facilities operated by the Office of Administrative Hearings
- School board meetings
- Local government meetings
- Ballot counting areas and election-related sites
- Outdoor music festivals
- Racing association grounds
- Licensed pregnant and parenting teen residential programs and their facilities
- Overnight youth shelter and residence operated by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
- Anytime while riding a snowmobile
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law
Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Washington?
Without a Washington concealed pistol license (CPL) or a license/permit from a state that Washington honors, firearms must be unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper. [RCW 9.41.060(9)]
An individual is not required to inform a law enforcement officer if he or she is carrying a concealed firearm unless the officer asks.
Ready to Learn More About Washington Gun Laws?
It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about Washington’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit the Washington gun laws page now…
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
