Firearms in Seattle, WA (2026)
4 verified firearms rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Local Firearms Preemption
Washington RCW 9.41.290 reserves firearms regulation to the state, blocking most city-level gun rules. Seattle has tested narrow ordinances on storage and parks, but courts have struck several down under the preemption statute.
Washington State Preempts Most Local Gun Rules
Few RestrictionsRCW 9.41.290 — State preemption (Washington State)
RCW 9.41.290 — State preemption. The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to firearms or parts thereof, including ammunition and reloader co...
Concealed Carry
Washington requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to carry a loaded handgun concealed off your premises. King County Sheriff issues CPLs to Seattle residents under RCW 9.41.070. The state is shall-issue with background checks.
Concealed Pistol License Issued by County Sheriff
Some RestrictionsRCW 9.41.070 — Concealed pistol license — Application — Fee — Renewal
RCW 9.41.070 — Concealed pistol license — Application — Fee — Renewal. (1) The chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county shall within thirty days after the filing of an application of any person, issue a license to such person to carry a pistol concealed on his or her person within this state for five years from date of issue, for the purposes of protection or while engaged i...
Open Carry
Washington permits open carry of firearms without a permit for adults 21 and older. Seattle cannot ban open carry in most public spaces due to state preemption, but RCW 9.41.300 prohibits openly carried weapons at permitted demonstrations and the state Capitol.
Open Carry Legal Statewide With Limited Seattle Rules
Some RestrictionsRCW 9.41.300 — Weapons prohibited in certain places (Washington State)
RCW 9.41.300 — Weapons prohibited in certain places — Local laws and ordinances — Exceptions — Penalty. (1) It is unlawful for any person to enter the following places when he or she knowingly possesses or knowingly has under his or her control a weapon: (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 fo...
Firearms in Vehicles
Under RCW 9.41.050, you may not carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle in Washington without a Concealed Pistol License. Long guns must be unloaded. Seattle follows state rules without supplemental restrictions.
Loaded Handgun in Vehicle Requires CPL
Some RestrictionsRCW 9.41.050 — Carrying firearms (Washington State)
RCW 9.41.050 — Carrying firearms. (1)(a) Except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business, a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol. (b) Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed p...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Firearms in King County →