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Washington gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Vehicle transport

A loaded pistol in a vehicle requires a concealed pistol license (9.41.050(2)). An unloaded pistol left in a vehicle must be locked inside and out of view. Source

Places where carry is banned

Restricted areas of jails and law enforcement facilities, court areas, restricted areas of mental health facilities, 21+-only areas of bars, airport secure areas, libraries, zoos and aquariums, and more (RCW 9.41.300). Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Duty to inform

No duty to volunteer. Licensees must carry the license and show it on demand to police (9.41.050(1)(b)). Source

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).

Red-flag law

Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.

Reciprocity

Washington recognizes non-resident permits only from the states on the Attorney General's list.

The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether Washington honors your permit

Sources

  1. app.leg.wa.gov
  2. www.atg.wa.gov
  3. giffords.org
  4. giffords.org
  5. giffords.org
  6. www.ncsl.org
  7. app.leg.wa.gov
  8. app.leg.wa.gov

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.