Washington Concealed Carry Laws: Overview

Washington's firearms laws, including those governing concealed carry, are primarily codified in Chapter 9.41 RCW. Washington is a licensed-carry state for concealed pistols: a person must hold a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to carry a pistol concealed on the person, and to carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle. Washington is not a permitless (constitutional) concealed-carry state. Open carry of a pistol is generally lawful for a person who may lawfully possess the firearm, subject to location restrictions and to RCW 9.41.270 (carrying or displaying a weapon in a manner that warrants alarm).

The CPL system is shall-issue. Under RCW 9.41.070, the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county must issue a license to a qualifying applicant. The local agency cannot deny a qualified applicant on a discretionary basis.

Concealed Pistol License (CPL)

Washington issues a Concealed Pistol License rather than a broader "concealed carry permit." The license authorizes carrying a pistol concealed on the person. Key statutory features under RCW 9.41.070:

• Issuing authority: The local chief of police or county sheriff issues the license. Washington has no statewide permit office for issuance.
• Term: Five years from the date of issue.
• Minimum age: The applicant must be at least 21 years old. RCW 9.41.070(1)(c) lists being under 21 as a disqualifier.
• Shall-issue standard: The issuing authority must issue the license within 30 days of application (up to 60 days if the applicant lacks a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state ID, or has not been a Washington resident for the previous 90 consecutive days).
• Eligibility: The applicant must not be ineligible to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040 or RCW 9.41.045, prohibited under federal law, or subject to the other disqualifiers listed in RCW 9.41.070(1) (including a revoked CPL, certain protective or no-contact orders, being free on bond pending a felony, or an outstanding felony or misdemeanor warrant).
• Background check: The issuing authority checks the national instant criminal background check system, Washington State Patrol records, and the Health Care Authority database. An original license requires a fingerprint-based national check through the FBI.
• Nonresidents: A nonresident may apply for a Washington CPL. Under RCW 9.41.070(11), a nonresident's license may authorize carry anywhere in the state.

The original five-year license fee is $36 plus FBI charges passed on to the applicant; the renewal fee is $32 (RCW 9.41.070(5)-(6)).

Carry Rules and the License Requirement

RCW 9.41.050 sets the core carry rules:

• A person may not carry a pistol concealed on the person without a CPL, except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business (RCW 9.41.050(1)(a)).
• A CPL holder must carry the license at all times the license is required and display it on demand to a police officer. Failure to do so is a class 1 civil infraction (RCW 9.41.050(1)(b)).
• A person may not carry or place a loaded pistol in a vehicle unless the person holds a CPL and meets the conditions in RCW 9.41.050(2). A violation is a misdemeanor.

RCW 9.41.060 lists exceptions to the license requirement in RCW 9.41.050, including active law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces on duty, persons carrying a pistol unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper, persons engaged in lawful outdoor recreation such as hunting or fishing, and members of target-shooting or collecting clubs traveling to or from their activities.

State Preemption

RCW 9.41.290 is a strong state preemption statute. Washington "fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation" within the state, including registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms. Cities, towns, and counties may enact only firearms laws that are specifically authorized by state law (such as the location restrictions allowed under RCW 9.41.300) and that are consistent with Chapter 9.41 RCW. Local ordinances that are more restrictive than or exceed state law are preempted.

Prohibited Places

RCW 9.41.300 lists places where carrying a firearm is restricted regardless of CPL status, and authorizes certain local restrictions. Detailed coverage of current prohibited locations, including additions from recent legislation, appears in the Prohibited Places section.

Self-Defense

Washington has no statutory "stand your ground" provision and no statutory castle doctrine. The lawful use of force is governed by RCW 9A.16.020 (use of force, when lawful) and RCW 9A.16.050 (justifiable homicide by another person), as interpreted by the courts. Washington case law establishes that a person who is where the person may lawfully be and who is not the aggressor has no duty to retreat before using lawful force in self-defense (State v. Studd; State v. Reynaldo Redmond). There is no RCW section creating a "stand your ground" rule; the no-duty-to-retreat principle comes from case law applying these statutes.

Reciprocity

Washington has conditional statutory reciprocity under RCW 9.41.073. A person who holds a valid concealed pistol license or permit issued by another state is authorized to carry a concealed pistol in Washington without a Washington CPL, but only if all of the following are met:

• Reciprocal recognition: The issuing state recognizes and gives effect to concealed pistol licenses issued by Washington (RCW 9.41.073(1)(a)).
• Age floor: The issuing state does not issue concealed pistol licenses to persons under 21 years of age (RCW 9.41.073(1)(a)(i)).
• Background check: The issuing state requires mandatory fingerprint-based background checks of criminal and mental health history for all concealed pistol license applicants (RCW 9.41.073(1)(a)(ii)).
• Nonresident only: The reciprocity benefit applies to an out-of-state license holder only while that person is not a Washington resident, and the person must carry the pistol in compliance with Washington law (RCW 9.41.073(1)(b)). The person should be 21 or older and carry the out-of-state license while carrying in Washington.

Under RCW 9.41.073(2), the Washington Attorney General periodically publishes the official list of qualifying states. As of the July 25, 2025 update, the list was roughly ten states: Idaho (enhanced permit only), Kansas (standard license only), Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (enhanced permit only), North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 permits only), Ohio, South Dakota (unrestricted enhanced and gold permits only), and Utah (provisional permits not recognized). This list changes, so verify the current Attorney General list at atg.wa.gov before relying on it.

A nonresident from a state that is not on the qualifying list cannot carry on an out-of-state permit, but may still obtain a Washington nonresident CPL under RCW 9.41.070. See the Reciprocity section for full details.

Recent Changes to Washington Firearms Law

Washington has enacted several firearms measures in recent years. Verify current status before relying on any of these, as some have been litigated:

• Large-capacity magazines (RCW 9.41.370): Manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale a magazine over 10 rounds is prohibited, with limited exceptions. A violation is a gross misdemeanor (2022 c 104). The statute restricts commercial activity rather than mere possession. The ban has been challenged in court and remains in effect.
• Assault weapons (RCW 9.41.390): Manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale an "assault weapon" is prohibited, with limited exceptions. A violation is a gross misdemeanor. This ban took effect April 25, 2023 (2023 c 162).
• Enhanced background checks, safety training, and waiting period: Under Initiative 1639 (2019 c 3), the purchase of a semiautomatic assault rifle requires an enhanced background check, proof of completion of a recognized firearm safety training program, a minimum purchaser age of 21, and a waiting period. Washington has continued to expand purchasing requirements, including measures directed at a permit-to-purchase system. Confirm the current requirements and effective dates with the Department of Licensing before purchasing. The Permit Basics and Restrictions sections address purchasing law in detail.

Federal Law Still Applies

A Washington CPL does not override federal firearms law. As RCW 9.41.070 itself warns, a state license is not a defense to a federal prosecution. A person prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law (for example, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)) remains prohibited even if a Washington court has restored state firearm rights. Federal restrictions on carrying in secured areas of airports and aboard aircraft are enforced under 49 U.S.C. 46505.

Prohibited Persons and Restoration of Rights

• RCW 9.41.040 defines unlawful possession of firearms and the persons prohibited from possessing firearms, with penalties.
• RCW 9.41.041 sets out the general judicial process for restoration of the right to possess firearms; RCW 9.41.040(9) directs restoration petitions to that statute. RCW 9.41.041(1) permanently bars restoration for a person convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a felony sex offense, a class A felony, or a felony offense with a maximum sentence of at least 20 years, and RCW 9.41.041(2) requires a crime-free waiting period before petitioning. RCW 9.41.040(4) is a narrower provision covering only certain persons who received a probationary sentence under RCW 9.95.200 and a dismissal under RCW 9.95.240.
• RCW 9.41.047 addresses restoration of rights for a person prohibited because of involuntary commitment for mental health treatment under RCW 71.05.240, RCW 71.05.320, RCW 71.34.740, Chapter 10.77 RCW, or equivalent statutes of another jurisdiction.

Restoration of state firearm rights does not guarantee that a CPL or any other firearm permit will be issued, and it is not a defense to federal prosecution.

Legal Guidance

The Washington Attorney General's Office provides general information about firearms laws but is not authorized to give legal advice to private individuals on personal legal matters. Anyone with specific questions about how Washington firearms law applies to their situation should consult a private attorney. The Washington State Bar Association can help with finding legal counsel. This overview is general information, not legal advice.