Washington Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Washington: Gun Laws Summary

Washington is a shall-issue state, with licenses issued at the local level by the sheriff or police department. Private sales of firearms in Washington require a Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) and a background check, and firearms registration is required for retail dealers.

Open and Concealed Carry

Open carry is legal for anyone at least 21 years old who is legally allowed to possess a firearm. Some areas are off-limits, including public schools and state courthouses. According to SB 5038, open carry is also prohibited at the Capitol, any state legislative office, any public legislative hearing or meeting and within 250 feet of a permitted demonstrations. A valid permit/license is required to carry a loaded handgun in any vehicle in Washington. 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. There is no current requirement to attend a firearms training course.

Self-Defense

Washington does not have a specific castle law, but the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that there is no duty to retreat if a person is in a place they have the lawful right to occupy and is being assaulted.

Use of Force

The use of force is justified in preventing or attempting to prevent an offense against a person or property lawfully in their possession, provided the force is not more than necessary. The use of force is also justified to detain someone who enters or remains unlawfully in a building or on real property lawfully in the possession of the person, so long as the detention is reasonable in duration and manner to investigate the reason for the detained person’s presence on the premises.

Justifiable Homicide

Homicide is justifiable when committed in reasonable defense against a felony or the imminent danger of great personal injury to any person, or in resisting of a felony in or upon a dwelling or other place of abode, in which they are.

Washington: Gun Laws at a Glance


Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Washington?	Yes, any adult or anyone who is at least 14 years old and has the permission of a parent or guardian to do so, may purchase or possess a personal protection spray device. Pepper spray can be used by a party about to be injured, or by another lawfully aiding him or her, in preventing or attempting to prevent an offense against his or her person, or a malicious trespass, or other malicious interference with real or personal property lawfully in his or her possession, provided the force is not more than is necessary; or to reasonably detain someone who enters or remains unlawfully in a building or on real property lawfully in the possession of such person. The active ingredient of personal protection sprays must be either chloracetophenone (CN) or O chlorobenzylidene malonotrile (CS); or other agents commonly known as mace, pepper mace or pepper gas.[Wash. Rev. Code 9.91.160]
Does Washington allow constitutional carry?	No. Washington does not allow constitutional carry.
Is open carry permitted in Washington?	Yes, without a license. Any person who is at least 21 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm can open carry. Some areas are off-limits, including public schools and state courthouses. Based on the passage of SB 5038, open carry is also prohibited at the Capitol, any state legislative office, any public legislative hearing or meeting and within 250 feet of a permitted demonstrations.[Wash. Rev. Code 9.41.050(2)(a)]
If Washington requires a license to carry a concealed firearm, how are those licenses issued?	Washington is a shall-issue state.
What is the minimum age in Washington to get a concealed carry license?	The minimum age to carry concealed handguns in Washington is 21.
Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Washington with a concealed carry license (or under permitless carry if applicable)?	No. Washington’s CPL does not permit weapons other than handguns.
Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Washington?	Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess for self-defense, without a license. Washington prohibits carrying stun guns and Tasers onto public or private K-12 school property, buses, or facilities, if the devices are meant to be used as weapons to injure someone. The law doesn’t apply to police or school security officers, or to adult non-students who keep stun guns or Tasers in their cars while they’re conducting legitimate business at the school. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.280][Ruston Mun. Code 9.11.015]
Does Washington have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?	Yes. 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 more than 10 rounds. It went into effect on July 1st, 2022.
Does Washington have ammunition restrictions?	No. No handgun ammunition types are specifically forbidden in Washington.

Washington: Carry Locations


Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Washington?	Yes, only with a Washington Concealed Pistol License or a license/permit from a state that Washington honors provided: The pistol is on the licensee’s person; The licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or The licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle. Without a license, firearms must be transported locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.
Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Washington?	Yes with a Washington Concealed Pistol License or a license/permit from a state that Washington honors.
Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Washington?	Yes, with a Washington Concealed Pistol License or a license/permit from a state that Washington honors. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Washington.
Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Washington?	With a Washington Concealed Pistol License or a license/permit from a state that Washington honors, you may concealed carry only in areas of the restaurant where persons under the age of 21 are allowed. Concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants.
Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Washington?	Washington statutes don’t specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
Does Washington have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?	Not addressed in Washington state law.

Washington: Key State Laws


Does Washington issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?	Yes. Washington allows non-residents to apply for a CPL. [Wash. Rev. Code 9.41.290]
Does Washington allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No. The public has no access to Washington’s concealed carry database.
Do you have a duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Washington?	There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Washington unless the officer asks. [Wash. Rev. Code 9.41.050(1)(9b)]
Is my Washington driver’s license linked to my Washington carry license?	Yes. Your Washington driver’s license is linked to your Washington concealed pistol license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	No. Washington state law does not uphold “No Weapons Allowed” signs.
Does Washington have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Washington, except cities may: * Regulate the discharge of firearms in any portion of their respective jurisdiction where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals or property will be jeopardized; and

Regulate the possession of firearms in any stadium or convention center, operated by a city, town, county or other municipality.

In addition, the Washington Supreme Court has held that a municipal employer may regulate or prohibit a municipal employee’s possession of firearms while on the job or in the workplace. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.290][Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.300] | | Does Washington have a red flag law? | Washington has a red flag law. An immediate family member of a person or a law enforcement office or agency may file a petition requesting that the court issue an extreme risk protection order prohibiting a person from having in his or her custody or control, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. [Wash. Rev. Code § 7.94.030(1)] | | Does Washington state law define brandishing? | No definition of brandishing was found in Washington law. Any person who aims any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded at or towards any other human being or willfully discharges any firearm in a public place where any person might be endangered thereby shall be charged with a crime. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.230] It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.270] | | Does Washington have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or drugs? | Not addressed in state statutes. As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences. |

Washington: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Washington?	No, however, per I-1639, as of July 1, 2019, purchasers of semiautomatic rifles are required to show proof of attending a firearm safety training program. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.090(1)(a)]
Are there exceptions?	Yes. Private buyers and sellers must conduct a firearms transaction through a federally licensed firearm dealer (FFL). But, the following transfers are exempt: Bona fide gift transfers between spouses, domestic partners, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, siblings-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, and uncles; Transfers to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm so long as the temporary transfer lasts only as long as immediately necessary to prevent such imminent death or great bodily harm. The transferee must not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law; and Certain types of temporary transfers such as those between spouses or domestic partners or at a shooting range or a competition. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.113(4)]
Does my current Washington concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?	No.
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Washington?	There is no mandatory waiting period for handguns. But, 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 or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive 90 days, then the time period in this subsection shall be extended from ten business days to 60 days. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.092(1)]
Do handguns need to be registered in Washington?	No. But, retail dealers must record and report all retail pistol sales to local police/sheriff and to the State Department of Licensing. [Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.110(4)]
What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Washington?	You must be at least 18 years old to possess or transport a handgun in Washington. [Wash. Rev. Code 9.41.042][Wash. Rev. Code 9.41.060][Wash. Rev. Code 9.41.240]
Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a license?	Yes. It is legal for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to carry a loaded firearm without a license in a person’s place of abode or fixed place of business. [Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.41.050 (1)(a)]