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Article I, Section 24 "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired [...]" § 9.41.290.,
§ 9.41.300. Localities may regulate the discharge of firearms, the possession of firearms in municipal stadiums and convention centers, and the location of a business selling firearms; though, some exceptions apply. § 9.41.110. Firearms dealers in Washington must keep a record of every handgun sold, in a book kept for this purpose. § 9.41.220.,
§ 9.41.190. All machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, or any parts thereof are considered contraband. WAC 170-296-0800,
WAC 388-61A-0125,
WAC 296-52-71025,
WAC 296-52-68020,
WAC 388-145-0490,
WAC 388-147-0570,
WAC 388-148-0190 Washington Administrative Code regulates the storage of ammunition and firearms in places such as home child care, domestic violence shelters; and prohibit the possession or storage of ammunition near certain explosives or on the premises of emergency respite centers, teen residential program facilities, and licensed homes and facilities that provide child care. § 9.41.300,
§ 9.94.043,
§ 70.108.150.,
§ 72.23.300,
WAC 10-20-010.,
WAC 10-20-030.,
WAC 72-140-080.,
WAC 148-140-080.,
WAC 106-124-700,
132A-150-020,
132D-120-050(17),
132D-140-040(8),
132H-140-065,
132M-136-060(10),
132N-150-240,
132Q-94-150,
132S-50-280,
132T-190-030,
132U-140-040,
172-120-040(9),
172-122-120,
174-120-035,
478-124-020,
495A-140-040,
495B-140-040,
495C-140-040,
495D-140-040,
504-36-030,
516-52-020,
WAC 170-151-280,
WAC 170-295-5020,
WAC 260-20-075,
WAC 296-52-67145,
WAC 296-52-68020,
WAC 296-52-69060,
WAC 388-145-0490,
WAC 388-147-0570,
WAC 388-148-0190,
WAC 388-160-0375,
WAC 388-730-0070. Any area of a building used in connection with court proceedings.
Restricted access areas of a public mental health facility.
Any portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under 21 years of age.
Restricted access areas of a commercial service airport.
State correctional institutions, including buildings and adjacent grounds; concealed pistol license holders are permitted to check their firearms while on the premises.
The site of an outdoor music festival.
State institution for the care and treatment of mental illness.
All facilities owned, leased, or operated by the office of administrative hearings.
Washington state school for the deaf or blind.
Campus or facilities of certain public universities and colleges.
Licensed child care centers.
The grounds of any horse racing association.
In the bed or body of any vehicle containing blasting agents.
In or near a vehicle transporting explosives.
Inside or within 50 feet of any building, structure, or container approved for storage of explosive materials.
The premises of an emergency respite center.
The premises of licensed pregnant and parenting teen residential programs.
The premises of licensed homes and facilities that provide care to children.
The premises of an overnight youth shelter.
A residence operated by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration.
State capitol grounds, except persons who hold a valid concealed pistol license.
Public or private elementary school premises, including buses and areas of facilities used exclusively by public or private schools; except concealed pistol license holders while picking up or dropping off a student. | ||
The state of Washington in the United States has laws regulating the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition.
The Constitution of Washington protects an individual's right to bear arms. Washington preempts localities from regulating firearms in any manner more restrictive than State law except as explicitly authorized by the State legislature. Authorized local firearm regulations include:
There are no age restrictions on the possession of firearms and some people are prohibited from possessing firearms due to certain criminal convictions or who are released on bond or their own recognizance pending trial for certain criminal charges. Machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, and any parts thereof are prohibited. Suppressors and short-barreled rifles may be possessed and used in accordance with federal law. Pistols transferred through an F.F.L. dealer must be registered with Washington State D.O.L.
There is a rather long list of places where the possession or storage of firearms or ammunition is prohibited or otherwise restricted. Statutory law prohibits firearms in places such as areas of buildings used for court proceedings, certain areas of public mental health facilities, establishments which serve alcohol and are off-limits to persons under 21 years of age, restricted-access areas of commercial airports, State correctional facilities, and outdoor music festivals. Administrative law prohibits or otherwise restricts the possession or storage of firearms in places such as certain schools, premises of the Office of Administrative Hearings, child care centers, horse races, near certain explosive materials, and certain shelters for respite or youths. See the Washington 'infobox' or one of this section's referenced documents for the complete list as well as where exceptions apply for those who hold concealed pistol licenses.
As a general rule, a person may legally open-carry in Washington state in any place it is legal to possess a loaded handgun, as long as it does not manifest "an intent to intimidate another or [warrant] alarm for the safety of other persons." To open-carry a hand gun in a vehicle (e.g, car, bus, etc...) a person must have a valid concealed pistol license. The county sheriff or city police chief shall issue a concealed pistol license to any applicant, age 21 or older, who meets certain requirements, including no felony convictions, no misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, and no outstanding warrants. Open carrying of firearms is not prohibited by law, although trouble with some law enforcement agencies has been encountered while open carrying in the past, most notably in a case in Ellensburg, Washington.
Concealed Weapon Reciprocity
Washington concealed pistol licenses will be recognized in the following states, and concealed weapons licenses issued in the listed states will be recognized in Washington State, so long as the handgun is carried in accordance with Washington law: Idaho (Idaho Enhanced Permit only), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan (non-resident concealed pistol licenses issued by Washington state are not recognized by Michigan), North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 North Dakota permits only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah.
Washington state law also carves exemptions into state law regarding Concealed Pistol Licenses. RCW 9.41.060, section 8: "Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;".
Washington is a "Stand Your Ground" state, in which there is no duty to retreat in the face of what would be perceived by an ordinary person to be a threat to themselves or others by another person that is likely to cause serious injury or death. It is a gross misdemeanor to aim a firearm "whether loaded or not, at or towards any human being". Unless the person is acting in self-defense, they can be charged with "brandishing" and threatening someone with a deadly weapon.