Know Your Rights: A Guide to Gun, Firearm, and Concealed Carry Laws in Washington State
If you’ve lost your firearm rights in Washington, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Many people assume a past mistake means they’ll never legally own a gun again. But Washington State offers real, straightforward paths to restoring your rights. At Findley & Rogers, we specialize in helping everyday people take back control. Whether you want to hunt, protect your home, or pass firearms down to your children, we’re here to help.
Washington Gun Laws: The Basics
Washington is a “shall-issue” state. If you meet the legal requirements for a concealed pistol license (CPL), the government must issue one. You can also legally open carry in most public spaces without a permit, provided you're allowed to possess a firearm.
To legally own a gun in Washington, you must:
Have no felony convictions
Be free of current restraining or protection orders
Have no recent domestic violence convictions or drug addiction
Have never been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment.
What Crimes Take Away Your Gun Rights?
Several situations can result in the loss of firearm rights, including:
Felony convictions (Class A, B, or C)
Misdemeanor domestic violence charges, like assault, stalking, or harassment
Protection or restraining orders
Involuntary commitment to a mental facility
Drug-related offenses or addiction
Juvenile felony convictions
Federal restrictions, such as dishonorable military discharge or immigration status issues
How to Get Your Firearm Rights Back
If you’ve completed your sentence, stayed out of trouble, and fulfilled all court-ordered obligations, you may be eligible to restore your firearm rights. This is done through a petition to a Washington State Superior Court. To be eligible to restore your firearm rights, you will need to meet several criteria.
Required Waiting Periods:
5 years for misdemeanor domestic violence
5 years for most felony convictions
Up to 10 years for more serious or multiple offenses
You must also:
Not have any permanent disqualifications, such as Class A felonies or Sex offenses (with some exceptions for juvenile cases)
Be free of other disqualifying convictions during the waiting period
Have no pending charges
Complete all court-ordered obligations (especially for domestic violence cases) except for non-restitution fines
Motions to restore firearm rights currently must be heard in the county where your prohibition occurred, unless your conviction occurred in another state, in which case there are now more options, but there is good news: we can handle court for you, you will not need to appear in person!
Traveling, Driving, and Flying with Firearms in Washington
Flying with Firearms
Legal, but your firearm must be unloaded, in a locked hard case, and declared at the airline check-in counter. Never bring a gun in a carry-on or through security.
Driving with Firearms
You need a CPL to carry a loaded handgun in your vehicle. Without one, your firearm must be unloaded, and the ammunition should be in a separate compartment of the vehicle from the firearm. When leaving a firearm in a vehicle, it must be locked in a secure storage device and out of sight. Rifles and shotguns must always be unloaded while in a vehicle.
Public Transit
Firearms are generally prohibited on buses and in transit stations. An exception applies to Washington State Ferries, which are considered motor vehicles.
Off-Road Vehicles
You can carry a loaded handgun on ATVs or snowmobiles if you have a CPL. Long guns require a separate permit from the Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPL)
To qualify for a CPL in Washington:
You must be at least 21
Have no felony or domestic violence convictions
Be mentally competent
Have no active warrants or restraining orders
Unlike other states, Washington doesn’t require a safety course. CPLs are valid for 5 years and can be renewed at your local sheriff’s office. Washington CPLs are recognized in several states, including Utah, Ohio, and Michigan. However, Washington only honors out-of-state licenses that meet its standards (e.g., age 21+, fingerprint background check).
What’s Legal—and What’s Not
Legal (With a CPL):
Concealed carry in most public spaces
Carrying a loaded handgun in a car
Transporting firearms across state lines (check for reciprocity)
Still Illegal (Even With a CPL):
Firearms in jails, schools, courthouses, or bars
Loaded rifles or shotguns in vehicles
Carrying a firearm in a threatening or brandishing way
County-Level Differences in Gun Rights Restoration
Washington law is applied statewide, but each county has different court procedures, timelines, and judge preferences. Here is a quick summary of variations in experiences and opinions for the largest counties in Washington State. Contact us to learn more about expectations for your local court.
King County (Seattle)
Timing can depend on the workload of the prosecuting attorneys assigned to these motions; hearings usually aren’t necessary unless there is an objection from the prosecutor’s office. Some judges are less sympathetic to firearm rights petitions, but there is usually little issue with the court following established law.
Pierce County (Tacoma)
Similar to King County, in that timing depends largely on the prosecuting attorney’s current workload, though the court tries to ensure firearm rights restoration motions are resolved within 4 months. Courts often favor rehabilitation and legal compliance.
Snohomish County (Everett)
Can be gun-friendly but strict, these motions tend to move pretty efficiently if everything is in order. Clean records and organized petitions matter.
Spokane County
It is known for a strong Second Amendment culture. Courts can be receptive and efficient, the prosecuting attorney tends to be amenable to these motions, but is sometimes backlogged with work
Clark County (Vancouver)
Case-by-case approach. Domestic violence cases may face more scrutiny.
Thurston County (Olympia)
Clients have experienced a smooth process; the court often waives hearings for simple cases.
Kitsap County (Port Orchard)
Known to be veteran-friendly, and generally one of the more efficient counties for these motions. Strong rehabilitation documentation helps.
Yakima County
Local courts are understood to be conservative but consistent and follow state law closely.
Whatcom County (Bellingham)
Judges can be progressive but cautious, especially with a domestic violence history.
Benton County (Kennewick/Richland)
Timing can depend on the prosecutor; the court tends to be by-the-book, and most eligible cases are approved.
Skagit County (Mount Vernon)
Can be predictable and quick. Judges value professionalism.
Bottom Line:
Your eligibility is the same statewide
Your experience depends on local court preferences
You must still meet all restoration criteria
City-Level Firearm Laws: Do They Exist?
No, cities cannot override state firearm law. Washington has a strong preemption statute (RCW 9.41.290), which prevents cities and towns from creating stricter firearm laws.
What Cities Cannot Do:
Ban gun types or magazine sizes
Impose additional background checks or waiting periods
Enforce different carry laws from the state
What Cities Can Regulate:
Where firearms are discharged (e.g., city parks)
Possession in city-owned buildings (libraries, courthouses)
City employee gun policies
Firearm store zoning
Special event rules (e.g., parades or demonstrations)
City Laws and Rights Restoration
City ordinances do not affect your right to restore gun ownership.
Once your rights are restored through Washington State courts:
You can own, buy, and carry firearms
You can apply for a CPL
You can travel with firearms legally
No city can deny or reverse your restored status
Local law enforcement may enforce state law differently. For example:
Seattle may be stricter in enforcement
Yakima may be more lenient
But these enforcement attitudes don’t impact your eligibility, only your day-to-day experience.
You Might Already Be Eligible. Let Us Check
Many people qualify to restore their rights and don’t even know it. At Findley & Rogers, we offer free consultations to check your status.
We handle everything:
Paperwork
Court filings
Restoration strategy
You can expect:
Flat fees
Fast turnaround
An experience that reflects our high customer ratings across Washington State
Let’s Get Your Rights Back
You deserve to move forward. Whether it’s for hunting, self-defense, or protecting your family, your rights matter. Findley & Rogers is here to help.
Call 206-331-7377 or send us a message to schedule your free consultation.
