Washington Gun Laws (2026): CPL, Universal Background Checks, Magazine Cap & 2023 AWB

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Last updated May 2026 · By Nick Hall, CCW instructor tracking Washington’s Concealed Pistol License at RCW 9.41.070, the universal background check at RCW 9.41.113 (Initiative 594, 2014), the 10-round magazine cap at RCW 9.41.380 (effective July 1, 2022), the Assault Weapons Ban at RCW 9.41.390 (HB 1240, effective April 25, 2023), the 10-business-day waiting period at RCW 9.41.092, and the Extreme Risk Protection Order at RCW 7.94

Disclaimer: This is an editorial round-up of Washington gun laws. We do our best to make sure it’s correct, but do not rely on this as legal advice. Washington firearms law has shifted dramatically with HB 1240 (2023 AWB) and ongoing 2025-2026 legislation. Consult a Washington-licensed firearms attorney for any specific question.

Quick Answer: Washington has restrictive gun laws in 2026. Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPLs) are “shall-issue” at age 21+ through local law enforcement, with a $36 fee and no training requirement. Washington passed the 2023 “Assault Weapon” ban prohibiting sale of semi-automatic rifles defined under state law.

Magazines over 10 rounds were banned for sale and transfer in July 2022; existing magazines may still be possessed. Washington requires a 10-day waiting period and Washington-state-approved firearm safety training for handgun purchases through FFLs. Universal background checks apply to all firearm transfers.

The biggest mistake new Washington gun owners make is bringing semi-automatic rifles purchased before the 2023 ban without confirming they are still legal. Some configurations are restricted even when grandfathered. Washington honors most out-of-state CCW permits issued by states with similar requirements. CPLs do not authorize carry on K-12 school grounds or in courthouses.

Looking for a brick-and-mortar shop in Washington? See our best gun stores in Washington guide for verified FFL dealers, ranges, and gunsmiths near you.

Washington Gun Laws in 2026: What You Need to Know

TL;DR: Washington gun laws sit firmly in the restrictive tier. There is no constitutional carry: a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) under RCW 9.41.070 is required for concealed carry. The CPL is shall-issue through the local police chief or sheriff, age 21+, no training requirement, $36 fee, valid five years. Open carry is legal without a permit but with caveats (vehicle carry requires a CPL). Washington has universal background checks (Initiative 594, 2014, RCW 9.41.113), a 10-round magazine cap (RCW 9.41.380, effective July 1, 2022), an Assault Weapons Ban (HB 1240, effective April 25, 2023, RCW 9.41.390), a 10-business-day waiting period for handguns and semiautomatic rifles, an Extreme Risk Protection Order law at RCW 7.94, and a 21-plus minimum age for semiautomatic rifles. Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law. State preemption at RCW 9.41.290 with carve-outs.

Washington gun laws have moved sharply toward restriction since 2014. Initiative 594 (universal background checks) passed by ballot that year. Initiative 1639 (2018) added a 21-plus age for semiautomatic rifles, an enhanced background check, mandatory training, and 10-business-day waiting period. SB 5078 (2022) added the 10-round magazine cap. HB 1240 (2023) added the Assault Weapons Ban. The 2025 session, with newly-elected Governor Bob Ferguson taking office, signaled continued restriction with multiple bills under consideration.

The CPL is straightforward shall-issue with no training requirement, which is unusual for a restrictive state. The framework dates back to a 1980s reform and has not been substantively changed since. Where Washington adds friction is on the purchase side: universal background check, 10-business-day wait, magazine cap, AWB, mandatory training for semiautomatic rifle buyers under I-1639.

Whether you live in Washington, are moving here, or are just passing through, this page covers the 2026 rules with statute citations and official sources. WA gun laws sit within our broader U.S. gun laws by state hub.

Washington Gun Laws: The Highlights

TL;DR: Washington gun laws require a Concealed Pistol License under RCW 9.41.070 (shall-issue, 21+, no training, $36, 5 years), allow open carry without a permit (vehicle carry requires CPL), run universal background checks under RCW 9.41.113, impose a 10-business-day waiting period at RCW 9.41.092, cap detachable magazines at 10 rounds at RCW 9.41.380, ban the sale and manufacture of feature-test “assault weapons” at RCW 9.41.390 (HB 1240, effective April 25, 2023), require age 21+ for semiautomatic rifles, run an Extreme Risk Protection Order law at RCW 7.94, and recognize Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law.

• Concealed Pistol License (CPL) under RCW 9.41.070. Shall-issue through local police chief or sheriff. Age 21+, no training requirement, $36 fee, valid five years.
• Open carry of handguns and long guns is legal for adults 18+ without a permit. Carry inside a vehicle requires a CPL or the firearm must be unloaded and stored outside the operator’s reach.
• Universal background check under RCW 9.41.113 (Initiative 594, 2014). All firearm transfers must be processed through a federally licensed dealer with a NICS check.
• 10-business-day waiting period under RCW 9.41.092. After NICS approval, the buyer cannot take possession until 10 business days have elapsed. Applies to all handguns and semiautomatic rifles.
• 21-plus minimum age for semiautomatic rifles (Initiative 1639, 2018, RCW 9.41.240). Federal floor for FFL handgun purchase is 21+; Washington extends 21+ to semiautomatic rifle purchases.
• 10-round magazine capacity cap at RCW 9.41.380. Effective July 1, 2022. Possession of magazines manufactured before that date is grandfathered. New manufacture, sale, transfer, and import of larger-capacity magazines is prohibited.
• Assault Weapons Ban at RCW 9.41.390 (HB 1240). Effective April 25, 2023. Bans the manufacture, sale, distribution, and import of feature-test assault weapons within Washington. Possession of pre-effective-date legally-owned firearms is grandfathered.
• Mandatory firearm-safety training for semiautomatic rifle purchases under Initiative 1639. Buyer must demonstrate completion of a state-recognized training course.
• Extreme Risk Protection Order Act at RCW 7.94. Family member, household member, or law enforcement may petition. Ex parte temporary order possible. Hearing within 14 days. One-year final order possible.
• State preemption at RCW 9.41.290 with carve-outs. Localities cannot regulate firearm ownership generally, but the 2020s expansion has added local-government authority on certain sensitive locations.
• Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law (no statutory codification). No statutory civil immunity.
• NFA items legal with federal ATF approval (suppressors legal since 2014, SBRs legal since 2014). Washington does not currently add a state NFA layer beyond the AWB feature-test for SBRs.
• Sensitive locations under RCW 9.41.300 still apply: K-12 schools, courthouses, federal facilities, certain mental-health facilities, polling places, school board meetings, and posted private property.
• Washington honors permits from a limited reciprocity list. The Washington CPL is honored in 25+ other states.

For the official state resource, see the Washington State Patrol Firearms page and the RCW Title 9 Chapter 9.41 portal.

Key Information at a Glance

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Concealed Pistol License (CPL): RCW 9.41.070

TL;DR: Washington’s Concealed Pistol License under RCW 9.41.070 is the only legal path to concealed carry. Shall-issue through the local police chief (in cities) or county sheriff (in unincorporated areas). Age 21+, no training requirement, $36 fee, valid five years. Application processing time is 30 days for residents.

RCW 9.41.070 Washington Concealed Pistol License

(1) The chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county shall, within 30 days after the filing of an application of any person, issue a concealed pistol license to such person to carry concealed a pistol on his or her person or in a vehicle, if the applicant: (a) is at least twenty-one years old; (b) has not been convicted of a felony or specified disqualifying offenses; (c) is not subject to a court order under chapter 7.94 RCW (Extreme Risk Protection Order); (d) has demonstrated good moral character. The fee is $36 and the license is valid for five years. Washington requires no training or live-fire qualification for the CPL, which is unusual for a restrictive state. Non-residents may apply but are limited to those with a property or employment connection.

Eligibility under RCW 9.41.070(1):

• Age 21 or older
• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Washington resident, OR a non-resident with a Washington property or employment connection (limited)
• No felony convictions or other disqualifying convictions
• Not subject to a current restraining order or ERPO
• Not adjudicated mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed
• No training requirement (unusual among restrictive states)

Buying a Firearm in Washington: Universal Check + 10-Day Wait

TL;DR: Washington gun laws layer multiple requirements on every firearm purchase. Universal background check at RCW 9.41.113. 10-business-day waiting period at RCW 9.41.092 (for handguns and semiautomatic rifles). 21-plus minimum age for semiautomatic rifles under Initiative 1639. Mandatory training course completion for semiautomatic rifle buyers. Magazine capacity at the time of purchase must comply with the 10-round cap at RCW 9.41.380.

1. Verify eligibility. Age 21+ for handguns and semiautomatic rifles, 18+ for non-semiautomatic long guns. Not a prohibited person.
2. For semiautomatic rifle: training course. Initiative 1639 requires completion of a state-recognized firearms safety training course before purchase.
3. Pick a dealer or seller. All sales (FFL or private) must be processed through an FFL for the NICS check.
4. Complete the paperwork. ATF Form 4473 plus Washington state purchase paperwork.
5. NICS check. The FFL submits the buyer to NICS and the Washington State Patrol enhanced check.
6. Wait 10 business days. Even with NICS Proceed, the FFL cannot transfer until 10 business days have elapsed (RCW 9.41.092). Applies to handguns and semiautomatic rifles.
7. Take possession. Pay any FFL transfer fees and complete the transfer.

Magazine Cap and the 2023 Assault Weapons Ban

TL;DR: Washington caps detachable magazine capacity at 10 rounds under RCW 9.41.380 (effective July 1, 2022). Possession of magazines manufactured before that date is grandfathered. The Assault Weapons Ban at RCW 9.41.390 (HB 1240, effective April 25, 2023) bans the manufacture, sale, distribution, and import of feature-test assault weapons within Washington. Possession of pre-effective-date legally-owned firearms is grandfathered. Active federal litigation (Brumback v. Ferguson) challenges HB 1240; as of April 2026, the law remains in effect pending appellate resolution.

RCW 9.41.390 Washington Assault Weapons Ban (HB 1240)

No person in this state may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale an assault weapon, except as authorized in this section. — Effective April 25, 2023. The statute defines "assault weapon" by feature test (semiautomatic rifle with detachable magazine plus pistol grip, telescoping stock, forward grip, threaded barrel, or other enumerated features). Possession of pre-effective-date legally-owned firearms is grandfathered. Federal litigation in Brumback v. Ferguson and parallel cases challenges HB 1240; as of April 2026, the law remains in effect pending appellate resolution at the Ninth Circuit and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court.

Self-Defense: Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine (Case Law)

TL;DR: Washington recognizes both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law rather than statute. Washington courts have consistently held that a person who is not at fault may stand his or her ground and use deadly force when reasonably necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury. Castle Doctrine inside the dwelling follows the same framework. Washington does not have separate statutory civil immunity.

Reciprocity: Out-of-State Permits

TL;DR: Washington has a limited reciprocity list and does not honor most out-of-state concealed carry permits as a general rule. Permits from states with substantially similar issuance standards may be honored under RCW 9.41.073. The Washington CPL is honored in 25+ other states. Constitutional-carry states’ permitless carry does not extend into Washington, which still requires a CPL for concealed carry.

Where You Can’t Carry: Sensitive Locations

TL;DR: Even with a CPL, Washington gun laws prohibit carry in K-12 schools (RCW 9.41.280), courthouses, federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930), certain mental-health facilities, polling places, school board meetings, and posted private property. State preemption under RCW 9.41.290 limits but does not eliminate municipal authority on certain sensitive locations.

State Preemption: RCW 9.41.290

TL;DR: Washington gun laws are preempted under RCW 9.41.290, but recent case law and 2020s legislation have added carve-outs for certain sensitive locations. Localities cannot regulate firearm ownership, sale, or transfer beyond state law, but can post no-firearms notices on specific government property and at certain events.

NFA Items in Washington

TL;DR: Washington defers to federal NFA law for suppressors. Suppressors are legal in Washington with proper federal ATF registration and may be used for hunting under WDFW rules (legalized 2014). Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) are legal under federal NFA but may overlap with the AWB feature-test if the SBR has additional features. Pre-1986 transferable machine guns are legal with federal ATF approval. Washington does not impose a state-level NFA layer beyond the AWB feature-test.

For background on the federal regime itself, see our National Firearms Act explainer or the ATF National Firearms Act page. Washington has a present SOT dealer footprint across the Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane regions.

Recent Changes (2014-2026)

• Initiative 594 (2014). Universal background check at RCW 9.41.113. Approved by ballot initiative.
• Initiative 1639 (2018). 21+ minimum age for semiautomatic rifles, mandatory training, 10-business-day waiting period, enhanced background check.
• SB 5078 (2022). 10-round magazine capacity cap at RCW 9.41.380. Effective July 1, 2022.
• HB 1240 (2023). Assault Weapons Ban at RCW 9.41.390. Effective April 25, 2023. Bans manufacture, sale, distribution, and import of feature-test assault weapons.
• 2025 session under Governor Bob Ferguson. Continued restriction-leaning legislative agenda. Multiple bills proposed.
• 2026 session. Convened January 12, 2026. Multiple firearms bills under consideration.

Our Take on Washington Gun Laws

For practical everyday purposes, Washington gun laws are firmly in the restrictive tier. Universal background check, 10-business-day wait, 10-round magazine cap, AWB, mandatory training for semiautomatic rifle buyers, and Extreme Risk Protection Order are all in effect. The CPL itself is straightforward shall-issue with no training requirement, but the purchase friction is meaningful.

The hardest part of Washington gun laws in 2026 is the layered purchase regime. The 10-business-day wait stacks on top of the universal background check, the magazine cap, and (for semiautomatic rifles) the AWB and mandatory training. Washington and California are the only two West Coast states with all of these restrictions in place. For our broader state-by-state comparison, see the our complete state gun law index hub.

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Washington-Specific Carry Questions

Does Washington have a Stand Your Ground statute?

Washington does not have an explicit statutory Stand Your Ground law, but Washington case law recognizes no duty to retreat for a defender who is not the initial aggressor and who is in a place they have a right to be. The State v. Studd decision and subsequent rulings have shaped the doctrine. Castle Doctrine applies inside the home with a presumption that an intruder unlawfully entering presents a threat justifying defensive force.

What does Washington’s 10-round magazine cap apply to?

Washington restricts magazines to 10 rounds for any magazine manufactured or imported into Washington after July 1, 2022 under the 2022 high-capacity magazine law. Magazines lawfully owned before that date remain grandfathered. The statute applies to handgun and long-gun magazines equally, and sale or import of a non-compliant magazine into Washington is prohibited.

What is Washington’s Concealed Pistol License process?

Washington is shall-issue for the Concealed Pistol License under RCW 9.41.070. The application is processed by the local law enforcement agency in the county of residence, with a background check, fingerprinting in some counties, and a fee. Training is not required for the initial license, but proof of US citizenship or lawful permanent residence is required.

Did the 2022 Washington firearm reform law restrict semi-automatic rifles?

Washington enacted a ban on the sale, manufacture, import, and distribution of certain semi-automatic assault-style rifles under the 2023 firearm reform package. Possession of rifles lawfully owned before the effective date is not prohibited, but new sales of covered firearms are restricted. The statutory definition of an assault-style rifle is detailed and applicants should consult current Washington State Patrol guidance before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions: Washington Gun Laws