State · WA
Washington gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Washington's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (10 rounds) · “assault weapon” ban
Recently changed or in flux
- Recently changedA permit-to-purchase law was enacted (effective May 1, 2027). 2026 laws include HB 2320 (firearm manufacturing and 3D-printed guns; 2026 Laws ch. 203, effective March 24, 2026) and HB 2521 (firearms background checks; 2026 Laws ch. 100, effective June 11, 2026 - its contents aren't detailed here).
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- Not yet. A permit-to-purchase (HB 1163, 2025) takes effect May 1, 2027 (a WSP permit, with live-fire training and fingerprints).
- Long guns
- Same (from May 1, 2027).
Registration#
- No state firearm registration.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No, not for concealed carry.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue (officials must issue a license to anyone who qualifies): the Concealed Pistol License (CPL).
- Open carry
- Legal without a license (a CPL is needed to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle).
- Reciprocity
- Washington honors only a limited list of states. Before you travel, check the current recognition list on the state's official page, because these lists change.
“Assault weapon” rules#
Unverified: We haven't confirmed this against the statute yet. Check the official source. See the note below.- Yes. Selling, making and importing is banned (HB 1240, 2023); possessing ones you already own is allowed. A federal challenge is pending.
Unverified: The current status of the federal challenge to HB 1240 (including whether it is on hold pending U.S. Supreme Court cases) hasn't been confirmed from an official court source. We haven't confirmed this against the statute yet, so check the official source.
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds. Selling, making and importing larger magazines is banned (2022); the WA Supreme Court upheld the ban (2025).
Waiting period#
- 10 business days for all firearms (2023). Until May 1, 2027, buyers must also show proof of firearms safety training completed within the last 5 years (RCW 9.41.1132).
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes, universal (I-594, 2014).
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes (2016).
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Legal to own under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- SBRs legal if federally compliant; short-barreled shotguns prohibited.
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Washington's own restrictions on some short-barreled firearms still apply. ATF's federal non-enforcement policy doesn't change state law. Where Washington allows these items only if federal requirements are met, it isn't settled how state law treats an item that is no longer federally registered. Check with state authorities before relying on ATF's change.
Ammunition#
- No state background check, license or permit for buying ammunition was identified.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21 (RCW 9.41.240(1)). People 18 to 20 may possess a handgun only at home, at their fixed place of business, or on property they control, unless an exception applies (RCW 9.41.240(2)).
- Long gun purchase
- 21 for any semi-automatic rifle (the law calls every semi-auto rifle a 'semiautomatic assault rifle'); 18 for other long guns such as bolt-, lever- or pump-action rifles and shotguns (RCW 9.41.240(1); RCW 9.41.010).
Shipping and buying online#
- Magazines over 10 rounds and covered 'assault weapons' can't be sold to WA buyers. From May 1, 2027, every purchase will require a WSP permit.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Washington. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Open (1)
Gator's Custom Guns v. Washington
No. 25-153 · U.S. Supreme Court (cert petition)
Status:
A gun store asked the Supreme Court to review Washington's ban on selling, making and importing magazines over 10 rounds. The Court hasn't acted on the petition yet.
What it would change: If the Court takes the case and rules against the law, Washington's magazine limit could fall.
Status history (4)
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- :
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Sources:U.S. Supreme Court docket 25-153 ↗
Added · Last checked
Sources and official links#
- RCW 9.41 · Officialhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41
- RCW 9.41.1132 (permit to purchase, eff. May 1, 2027) · Officialhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.1132
- Washington State Patrol - Firearms Background Division · Officialhttps://wsp.wa.gov/firearms-background-division/
- HB 2320 (2026) bill summary · Officialhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=2320&Year=2026
- HB 2521 (2026) bill summary · Officialhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=2521&Year=2026
- RCW 9.41.240 (under-21 rule) · Officialhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.240
Washington entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.