Firearms in Washington (2026)

8 rules on the books across Washington, 1 city or county. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Local Firearms Preemption

Whether your state expressly bars cities from passing their own firearms ordinances, and what (if anything) cities can still regulate.

Washington RCW 9.41.290 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority over firearm laws to the state…

Washington RCW 9.41.290 reserves firearms regulation to the state, blocking most city-level gun rules. Seattle has…

State concealed carry licensing, reciprocity with other states, and where concealed carry is prohibited statewide regardless of local rules.

Washington issues concealed pistol licenses under RCW 9.41.070 on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants, with…

Washington requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to carry a loaded handgun concealed off your premises. King County…

State rules on visibly carrying a firearm in public, including who may open carry and where open carry is prohibited statewide.

Washington allows open carry of firearms by qualified adults without a permit, with limited statutory restrictions and…

Washington permits open carry of firearms without a permit for adults 21 and older. Seattle cannot ban open carry in…

State rules on transporting firearms in private vehicles, locked-case requirements, loaded vs unloaded, and whether locals can add restrictions.

Washington RCW 9.41.050 governs carrying firearms in vehicles statewide, requiring a concealed pistol license to carry…

Under RCW 9.41.050, you may not carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle in Washington without a Concealed Pistol License…