Washington Concealed Carry Laws

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Constitutional Carry No
Open Carry Lawful
Permit honored in 27 states
Washington honors 7 states

Washington Gun Laws

Open Carry

Lawful
Permitted

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Only when asked by the officer
Permitted

State Parks

Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Permitted

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

It is unlawful to enter... that portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor and cannabis board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age... when he or she knowingly possesses or knowingly has under his or her control a weapon.
Restricted

Firearms at Colleges

Schools individually decide the weapons policy.
Informational

Firearms at K-12 Schools

Washington permittee with handgun is lawful when picking up or dropping off a student
Informational

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.
Informational

Magazine Capacity Limitations

Magazines with the capacity of MORE than 10 rounds are illegal to buy, sell, import, manufacture, or distribute after July 1st, 2022.
Restricted

Suppressor Ownership

Ownership & Hunting Legal.
Permitted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60)
Informational

Firearm Law Uniformity

Preemption Statute in place. Laws should be uniform throughout the state
Informational

Permit Training Requirements

There is no required training to get your Washington concealed weapons permit.
Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Non-Residents may apply and have the same fees as Residents.
Informational

Constitutional Carry

No
Restricted

Duty to Retreat

No Duty to Retreat
Permitted

Places Off Limits

(a) The restricted access areas of a jail, or of a law enforcement facility, or any place used for the confinement of a person (i) arrested for, charged with, or convicted of an offense, (ii) held for extradition or as a material witness, or (iii) otherwise confined pursuant to an order of a court, except an order under chapter 13.32A or 13.34 RCW. Restricted access areas do not include common areas of egress or ingress open to the general public; (b) Those areas in any building which are used in connection with court proceedings, including courtrooms, jury rooms, judge’s chambers, offices and areas used to conduct court business, waiting areas, and corridors adjacent to areas used in connection with court proceedings. The restricted areas do not include common areas of ingress and egress to the building that is used in connection with court proceedings, when it is possible to protect court areas without restricting ingress and egress to the building. The restricted areas shall be the minimum necessary to fulfill the objective of this subsection (1)(b). In addition, the local legislative authority shall provide either a stationary locked box sufficient in size for pistols and key to a weapon owner for weapon storage, or shall designate an official to receive weapons for safekeeping, during the owner’s visit to restricted areas of the building. The locked box or designated official shall be located within the same building used in connection with court proceedings. The local legislative authority shall be liable for any negligence causing damage to or loss of a weapon either placed in a locked box or left with an official during the owner’s visit to restricted areas of the building. The local judicial authority shall designate and clearly mark those areas where weapons are prohibited, and shall post notices at each entrance to the building of the prohibition against weapons in the restricted areas; (c) The restricted access areas of a public mental health facility certified by the department of social and health services for inpatient hospital care and state institutions for the care of the mentally ill, excluding those facilities solely for evaluation and treatment. Restricted access areas do not include common areas of egress and ingress open to the general public; EXCEPTION: this section does not apply to any administrator or employee of the facility or to any person who, upon entering the place or facility, directly and promptly proceeds to the administrator of the facility or the administrator’s designee and obtains written permission to possess the firearm while on the premises. (d) That portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age; or EXCEPTIONS: proprietor of the premises or his or her employees while engaged in their employment. (e) The restricted access areas of a commercial service airport designated in the airport security plan approved by the federal transportation security administration, including passenger screening checkpoints at or beyond the point at which a passenger initiates the screening process. These areas do not include airport drives, general parking areas and walkways, and shops and areas of the terminal that are outside the screening checkpoints and that are normally open to unscreened passengers or visitors to the airport. Any restricted access area shall be clearly indicated by prominent signs indicating that firearms and other weapons are prohibited in the area. (2) Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and ordinances: (b) Restricting the possession of firearms in any stadium or convention center, operated by a city, town, county, or other municipality, except that such restrictions shall not apply to: (i) Any pistol in the possession of a person licensed under RCW 9.41.070 or exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW 9.41.060; or (5) The perimeter of the premises of any specific location covered by subsection (1) of this section shall be posted at reasonable intervals to alert the public as to the existence of any law restricting the possession of firearms on the premises.
Libraries, Zoos, Aquariums, and transit stations are restricted only to those with a concealed carry permit
Informational

State Contact Info

Washington Attorney Genearl
PO Box 40100
Olympia WA 98504
360-753-6200
www.atg.wa.gov
Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

The Police Chief or Sheriff in the specific City or County you reside in.
Informational

Length of Permit Validity

You must renew your permit every 5 years
Informational

Permit Application Process

You can apply for your concealed weapons permit at your local Police Station or Sheriff’s Office in the area you reside in.
Informational

Washington Permit Reciprocity

Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →

Your Washington resident permit is honored in 27 states

AK AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA MI MO MS MT NC ND OH OK SD TN TX UT VA VT WI

Washington honors resident permits from 7 states

KS LA MI NC ND OH UT
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

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