Washington state gun laws

Hiker 1 · June 10, 2015, 11:50 AM

Please advise. I am traveling to Washington state later this month and I am bringing my M&P 9mm. I'm checking it on my flight, which I've done several times.

We will be hiking and fishing, etc and from what I understand by reading handgunlaw.us, I can legally carry openly while engaged in these activities as my Colorado concealed permit in not valid in Wa state.

I also understand that I can't transport the pistol in my vehicle while it is loaded.

Is this accurate and what other factors should I take into consideration?

Thanks!

CowTowner · June 10, 2015, 12:29 PM

Here's your first step:
http://handgunlaw.us/

rickyrick · June 10, 2015, 02:36 PM

I see people here open carrying. It's because there's no law prohibiting open carry, so it's assumed to be legal by many. Take your chances. Some people you might meet on a washington hiking trail might not appreciate seeing you with a gun.... Maybe some portlandian types on the trails....

No loaded firearms in your car without permit.

You must research these laws on your own.

You can try to get a non-resident permit from a state that wa recognizes.

Also must be careful if you go on tribal lands

Either way, washington is a magic place... Enjoy your vacation.
I loved it so much I stayed.

Hiker 1 · June 10, 2015, 03:16 PM

Thanks Rickyrick!

NINEX19 · June 10, 2015, 03:56 PM

Hiker 1

You are correct in your summary in your original post. I open carry every time I hike in WA (often). Unless I am out hunting, most established trails are well used in the summer time usually by people from the bigger cities. I always meet people open carrying... (seem to be more of the Seattlite types, based on vehicles with bumper stickers at trail heads, and other give-aways when you see them on the trail. These are usually the only type of people you see on established/maintained trails) I have never had an incident or reaction to a firearm. Once you get out of King/Pierce/Thurston/and South Snohomish county, nobody will probably give you a second look. WA actually has very gun friendly laws. The link listed above is a good resource. It seems to be correct with perhaps one minor exception that will not affect you.

**44 AMP** · June 10, 2015, 05:01 PM

No open carry in a bank, or where alcohol is served. Or the usual public buildings where posted.

Hiker 1 · June 10, 2015, 05:09 PM

Thanks all!

No capacity limits, I take it?

rickyrick · June 10, 2015, 06:20 PM

None that I've heard of as far as capacity... I might look it up myself. Lol...

If you go into the national forests, target shooting is allowed in non protected areas.... As long as you don't put targets on trees and have some type of earth to shoot into...

If you go into one of the national forest headquarter, they will show you on a map the protected areas.... They have nice topo maps for donation.
I went to the Gifford Pinchot nf headquarters in vancouver when I moved here.... I'm not familiar with Olympic NF though.

**44 AMP** · June 10, 2015, 09:11 PM

Quote:

No capacity limits, I take it?

yes there are, your personal weight limit...

if you mean a legal limit on how many rounds your gun can hold, we haven't fallen quite that far, yet, despite the efforts of the Sea-Tac elitists.

kilimanjaro · June 10, 2015, 10:07 PM

Do drive Hwy 20 over the North Cascades, the American Alps. Do visit Mt. Rainier.

You can carry in National Parks, too, but must have a CWP. Check with NPS about the rules.

barnbwt · June 10, 2015, 10:26 PM

Be careful you don't accidentally have a left over AK auto sear in your luggage

TCB

**Tom Servo** · June 11, 2015, 12:33 AM

Just to clarify the last post, Washington doesn't allow ownership of machine guns unless they were present in the state prior to 1994.

NINEX19 · June 11, 2015, 08:05 AM

44 AMP
Not to be argumentative, but you CAN legally open carry in banks. There is no law against this. Have seen it done a few times. However, I would not recommend it and always carry concealed.

You CAN carry in places that serve alcohol so long as you do not sit in the "bar area", limit it to the normal restaurant seating.

WeedWacker · June 11, 2015, 09:35 AM

Some clarifications on things about CC

Legal carry in restaurants where alcohol makes up less than 50% of sales (i.e. bar section as stated) which are usually posted as "21 and older". There is a Taco Time in Clarkston, WA (eastern WA) that posts "no carry because we serve alcohol" even though they don't have a "21 and older" section. If a business has a posted sign requesting no firearms I would suggest you respect their wishes, but you are not required to abide by the sign unless it is related to the 50% profit on alcohol.

Open carry is legal. Seattle may have some different restrictions so be sure to research the seattle statutes vs WA state statutes. (For example, Seattle restricts knife carry more than the state statutes do)

Transporting a firearm without a valid carry permit requires the firearm to be unloaded and in a separate container from the ammunition. As far as I know, neither container needs to be locked, so a zippered nylon case should work for the firearm. (Caveat: last time I checked was before I had my CPL, which means no restrictions for me)

No capacity limits, no feature limits, no "assault weapon" designations, bring what you feel is necessary.

NINEX19 · June 11, 2015, 10:09 AM

Weedwacker,
I don't want to derail this thread with the CC laws, but I feel I need to point a few things out that you are mistaken about. There is no "50%" rule/law. The law only states (RCW 9.41.300) (d) That portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age.

In regards to Seattle: The law states that no municipality can enact gun laws that are more restrictive than what the state constitution allows (RCW 9.41.290 - state preemption). So no, Seattle can not have any rules or laws of their own that are different than what is legal in the rest of the state. They have tried, but lost. This is in regards to gun laws. Knife laws are a different matter.

Transporting a firearm in a vehicle without a cpl requires it to be unloaded and concealed from view. There is not provision in the law for ammo to be in a separate container. You can have a loaded magazine next to the gun in the same container. It just can not be in the gun or have a round in the chamber. (RCW 9.41.010, RCW 9.41.050). This law applies only to those without a cpl.

Perhaps you are getting these mixed up with another state.

rickyrick · June 11, 2015, 11:14 AM

This is a great thread, it points out that perceptions sometimes differ from laws.

Many here are transplants from other states. It can be confusing as we are all exposed to a mixture of laws, viewpoints and perceptions.

I live on the Columbia, so I get info from oregon thrown into the mix. I'm not sure how to keep political views out of this, but simply smoking outside away from people can get you accosted by a do-gooder. There's a push along some communities to make gun ownership evil.

WeedWacker · June 12, 2015, 01:07 AM

NINEX19

It's been almost 10 years since I've read most of the regs on transport without CPL, but this is good to refresh.

Most of my carry is in Idaho as it is, anyway.

Re-read those regs on alcohol. I remember being mildly amused and angry at seeing that sign claiming the right and threat of police arrest for possessing firearms in an establishment that did not restrict entrance based upon age. A little search, however, has yielded that there have been comparisons for the purpose for reciprocity between states and the topic of alcohol comes up with the number 50% sales (namely a Florida comparison example)

RCW 9.41.300 states

Quote:

(d) That portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age;

And that's it. No numbers. Yay internet.

Koda94 · June 12, 2015, 06:04 PM

if this is an annual trip its worth noting that Washington issues CHL permits to non-residents easily. All they require is a traditional background check and a fee (50 I think..) , no classroom requirement and its good for several years.

Hiker 1 · June 13, 2015, 02:08 PM

Koda94 - how do I get that?

Koda94 · June 13, 2015, 03:56 PM

permits are issued through the county sheriffs...

ex:

Apply for a concealed weapons permit:
Clark County Sheriff Headquarters Bldg.,
707 W. 13th Street

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Information: 397-2211

rickyrick · June 13, 2015, 04:15 PM

Mine took only a week or two from application to mailbox

But that was for resident. The clark county SO was very friendly and supportive

I switched my Texas to non resident and I'm covered for most states but the commie ones.

Now I got to get an Oregon one.

June 10, 2015, 11:50 AM	#1
Hiker 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 596	Washington state gun laws Please advise. I am traveling to Washington state later this month and I am bringing my M&P 9mm. I'm checking it on my flight, which I've done several times. We will be hiking and fishing, etc and from what I understand by reading handgunlaw.us, I can legally carry openly while engaged in these activities as my Colorado concealed permit in not valid in Wa state. I also understand that I can't transport the pistol in my vehicle while it is loaded. Is this accurate and what other factors should I take into consideration? Thanks!

June 10, 2015, 12:29 PM	#2
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	Here's your first step: http://handgunlaw.us/ __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

June 10, 2015, 02:36 PM	#3
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	I see people here open carrying. It's because there's no law prohibiting open carry, so it's assumed to be legal by many. Take your chances. Some people you might meet on a washington hiking trail might not appreciate seeing you with a gun.... Maybe some portlandian types on the trails.... No loaded firearms in your car without permit. You must research these laws on your own. You can try to get a non-resident permit from a state that wa recognizes. Also must be careful if you go on tribal lands Either way, washington is a magic place... Enjoy your vacation. I loved it so much I stayed. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

June 10, 2015, 05:01 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,812	No open carry in a bank, or where alcohol is served. Or the usual public buildings where posted. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 10, 2015, 06:20 PM	#8
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	None that I've heard of as far as capacity... I might look it up myself. Lol... If you go into the national forests, target shooting is allowed in non protected areas.... As long as you don't put targets on trees and have some type of earth to shoot into... If you go into one of the national forest headquarter, they will show you on a map the protected areas.... They have nice topo maps for donation. I went to the Gifford Pinchot nf headquarters in vancouver when I moved here.... I'm not familiar with Olympic NF though. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

June 10, 2015, 03:16 PM	#4
Hiker 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 596	Thanks Rickyrick!

June 10, 2015, 03:56 PM	#5
NINEX19 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 470	Hiker 1 You are correct in your summary in your original post. I open carry every time I hike in WA (often). Unless I am out hunting, most established trails are well used in the summer time usually by people from the bigger cities. I always meet people open carrying... (seem to be more of the Seattlite types, based on vehicles with bumper stickers at trail heads, and other give-aways when you see them on the trail. These are usually the only type of people you see on established/maintained trails) I have never had an incident or reaction to a firearm. Once you get out of King/Pierce/Thurston/and South Snohomish county, nobody will probably give you a second look. WA actually has very gun friendly laws. The link listed above is a good resource. It seems to be correct with perhaps one minor exception that will not affect you.

June 10, 2015, 05:09 PM	#7
Hiker 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 596	Thanks all! No capacity limits, I take it?

June 10, 2015, 10:07 PM	#10
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Do drive Hwy 20 over the North Cascades, the American Alps. Do visit Mt. Rainier. You can carry in National Parks, too, but must have a CWP. Check with NPS about the rules.

June 10, 2015, 10:26 PM	#11
barnbwt Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2012 Posts: 1,085	Be careful you don't accidentally have a left over AK auto sear in your luggage TCB __________________ "I don't believe that the men of the distant past were any wiser than we are today. But it does seem that their science and technology were able to accomplish much grander things." -- Alex Rosewater

June 11, 2015, 12:33 AM	#12
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	Just to clarify the last post, Washington doesn't allow ownership of machine guns unless they were present in the state prior to 1994. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

June 11, 2015, 08:05 AM	#13
NINEX19 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 470	44 AMP Not to be argumentative, but you CAN legally open carry in banks. There is no law against this. Have seen it done a few times. However, I would not recommend it and always carry concealed. You CAN carry in places that serve alcohol so long as you do not sit in the "bar area", limit it to the normal restaurant seating.

June 11, 2015, 09:35 AM	#14
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,591	Some clarifications on things about CC Legal carry in restaurants where alcohol makes up less than 50% of sales (i.e. bar section as stated) which are usually posted as "21 and older". There is a Taco Time in Clarkston, WA (eastern WA) that posts "no carry because we serve alcohol" even though they don't have a "21 and older" section. If a business has a posted sign requesting no firearms I would suggest you respect their wishes, but you are not required to abide by the sign unless it is related to the 50% profit on alcohol. Open carry is legal. Seattle may have some different restrictions so be sure to research the seattle statutes vs WA state statutes. (For example, Seattle restricts knife carry more than the state statutes do) Transporting a firearm without a valid carry permit requires the firearm to be unloaded and in a separate container from the ammunition. As far as I know, neither container needs to be locked, so a zippered nylon case should work for the firearm. (Caveat: last time I checked was before I had my CPL, which means no restrictions for me) No capacity limits, no feature limits, no "assault weapon" designations, bring what you feel is necessary. __________________ - Jon Disequilibrium facilitates accommodation. 9mm vs .45 ACP? The answer is .429

June 11, 2015, 10:09 AM	#15
NINEX19 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 470	Weedwacker, I don't want to derail this thread with the CC laws, but I feel I need to point a few things out that you are mistaken about. There is no "50%" rule/law. The law only states (RCW 9.41.300) (d) That portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age. In regards to Seattle: The law states that no municipality can enact gun laws that are more restrictive than what the state constitution allows (RCW 9.41.290 - state preemption). So no, Seattle can not have any rules or laws of their own that are different than what is legal in the rest of the state. They have tried, but lost. This is in regards to gun laws. Knife laws are a different matter. Transporting a firearm in a vehicle without a cpl requires it to be unloaded and concealed from view. There is not provision in the law for ammo to be in a separate container. You can have a loaded magazine next to the gun in the same container. It just can not be in the gun or have a round in the chamber. (RCW 9.41.010, RCW 9.41.050). This law applies only to those without a cpl. Perhaps you are getting these mixed up with another state.

June 11, 2015, 11:14 AM	#16
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	This is a great thread, it points out that perceptions sometimes differ from laws. Many here are transplants from other states. It can be confusing as we are all exposed to a mixture of laws, viewpoints and perceptions. I live on the Columbia, so I get info from oregon thrown into the mix. I'm not sure how to keep political views out of this, but simply smoking outside away from people can get you accosted by a do-gooder. There's a push along some communities to make gun ownership evil. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

June 12, 2015, 06:04 PM	#18
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,294	if this is an annual trip its worth noting that Washington issues CHL permits to non-residents easily. All they require is a traditional background check and a fee (50 I think..) , no classroom requirement and its good for several years. __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

June 13, 2015, 02:08 PM	#19
Hiker 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 596	Koda94 - how do I get that?

June 13, 2015, 03:56 PM	#20
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,294	permits are issued through the county sheriffs... ex: Apply for a concealed weapons permit: Clark County Sheriff Headquarters Bldg., 707 W. 13th Street Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 397-2211 __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

June 13, 2015, 04:15 PM	#21
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	Mine took only a week or two from application to mailbox But that was for resident. The clark county SO was very friendly and supportive I switched my Texas to non resident and I'm covered for most states but the commie ones. Now I got to get an Oregon one. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

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