Washington Concealed Carry Resources and Official Links

Additional Resources

This section points you to the agencies, courts, and statutes that matter most for concealed carry in Washington. Washington requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) under RCW 9.41.070 to carry a pistol concealed and to carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle. The CPL is issued on a shall-issue basis by your local chief of police or county sheriff, not by a state agency. Use the contacts below to apply, to handle protection-order or rights-restoration matters, and to find the primary law for any claim you want to verify.

State Government Agencies

Washington State Attorney General

The Attorney General's office publishes general information on Washington firearms law, including concealed pistol licenses, out-of-state reciprocity, and recent legislative changes.

• Website: atg.wa.gov
• Reciprocity list: atg.wa.gov publishes the official, current list of states whose concealed pistol licenses or permits Washington recognizes (see "Out-of-State Permits and Reciprocity" below).
• Common topics: firearm rights restoration (RCW 9.41.041 and RCW 9.41.047), the 2018 Initiative 1639 changes now codified in chapter 9.41 RCW, and dealer and purchase requirements.

Note on self-defense: the Attorney General's office does not set a civilian "use of force standard" by statute number you can cite for self-defense. Civilian use of force in Washington is governed by RCW 9A.16.020 (use of force, when lawful) and RCW 9A.16.050 (homicide by another person, when justifiable), as interpreted by the courts. RCW 10.120.020 (permissible uses of force) applies to peace officers, not to private citizens, so do not rely on it for personal self-defense. Washington has no statutory stand-your-ground law and no statutory castle doctrine. Washington case law establishes that a person who is where they may lawfully be and is not the aggressor has no duty to retreat (State v. Studd; State v. Reynaldo Redmond).

Washington State Department of Licensing - Firearms Program

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is the central record-keeper for firearms licenses that local law enforcement issues and approves. DOL maintains the statewide database; it does not itself issue your CPL. Its site covers concealed pistol licenses, alien firearm licenses, dealer licenses, fees, and forms.

• Website: dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/
• Phone: 360-902-3900 (TTY: 711)
• Role: statewide record-keeping for issued firearms licenses

Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC)

Administers firearms qualifications used for the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) by qualified retired officers in Washington.

• Email: cjtcpspi@cjtc.wa.gov
• LEOSA range qualifications are conducted by WSCJTC-certified firearms instructors.
• Note: WSCJTC provides the firearms certification only. A qualified retired officer must also carry the photographic identification described in 18 U.S.C. 926C(d)(2). LEOSA is a federal authority under 18 U.S.C. 926B (active) and 18 U.S.C. 926C (retired); it is not a Washington state exemption.

Washington State Department of Commerce - Safe Storage

Provides resources on secure firearm storage, suicide prevention, and community safety.

• Email: PublicSafetyTeam@Commerce.wa.gov
• Key statutes:
  • RCW 9.41.360 (unsafe storage of a firearm)
  • RCW 9.41.365 (firearm security and storage, requirements for dealers)
  • RCW 9.41.350 (voluntary waiver of firearm rights)
• Partner resources:
  • Harborview safe-storage and intervention toolkits
  • UW Center for Firearm Injury Prevention
  • Forefront Suicide Prevention (intheforefront.org)
  • Crisis Connections (crisisconnections.org)

Federal Resources

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Federal information on firearms regulation, federal firearms licenses, and federal prohibited persons.

• Website: atf.gov
• Topics: federal firearms regulation, dealer licensing, federal prohibited persons under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)

Local Law Enforcement - CPL Processing

Concealed pistol license applications are processed by local law enforcement, not by a central state office. Contact the agency for where you live.

• City residents: contact the police department for your city of residence.
• Unincorporated areas: contact the sheriff's office for your county of residence.

Example, City of Bellevue:

• Bellevue Police Department, 450 110th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98009
• Phone: 425-452-6917 (BPD Records)
• Email: bpdrecords@bellevuewa.gov

Example, Snohomish County:

• Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, Concealed Pistol License Unit
• Website: snohomishcountywa.gov

Out-of-State Permits and Reciprocity

Washington has conditional statutory reciprocity under RCW 9.41.073. A person who holds a valid concealed pistol license or permit issued by another state may carry a concealed pistol in Washington without a Washington CPL only if all of these are met:

1. The issuing state recognizes and gives effect to Washington concealed pistol licenses (the recognition must be reciprocal).
2. The issuing state requires a fingerprint-based background check of permit applicants for criminal and mental health history and has eligibility requirements that meet Washington's standards.
3. The person is 21 years of age or older and carries the out-of-state license or permit along with government-issued photo identification.
4. The person is not a resident of Washington. RCW 9.41.073(1)(b) recognizes an out-of-state license only while the holder is not a Washington resident, and the holder must carry the handgun in compliance with Washington law. If you move to Washington, your out-of-state permit no longer covers you and you need a Washington CPL.

The Attorney General is required by law to publish the official list of states that qualify and updates it as other states change their laws. As of the mid-2025 update the list included roughly ten states, such as Idaho (Enhanced Permit only), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (Enhanced Permit only), North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Utah, several with permit-type limits. The list changes, so always verify the current list before you travel.

• Official reciprocity list: atg.wa.gov (Concealed Pistol License Reciprocity)

If you hold a permit from a state that is not on the Attorney General's list, that permit does not let you carry concealed in Washington. A nonresident from a non-qualifying state who wants to carry concealed in Washington can still obtain a Washington nonresident CPL under RCW 9.41.070. Apply through a Washington local law enforcement agency.

Court Resources and Protection Orders

Washington State Courts - Forms

Court forms for protection orders, firearm surrender, and rights restoration.

• Website: courts.wa.gov/forms

Protection orders under chapter 7.105 RCW can require a respondent to surrender firearms and any concealed pistol license, and can prohibit possession while the order is in effect:

• Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO), Sexual Assault Protection Order (SAPO), Stalking Protection Order (SPO), and Antiharassment Protection Order (AHPO): the court may order the relief listed in RCW 7.105.310, including surrender of firearms, dangerous weapons, and any concealed pistol license.
• Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO): the court orders surrender of firearms and any concealed pistol license and prohibits possession. Temporary ERPO surrender requirements are set out in RCW 7.105.340.

Violating the terms of a protection order, including possessing firearms after a surrender order, can lead to arrest and penalties. For most protection orders other than antiharassment and extreme risk orders, a knowing violation is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 7.105.450.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO)

An ERPO lets family or household members, or law enforcement, petition a court to temporarily prohibit a person who poses a significant danger from having firearms.

• Who can petition: family or household members and law enforcement, under chapter 7.105 RCW.
• Duration: temporary orders are short term pending a hearing; a final order may be issued for up to one year and may be renewed. Specific timing is governed by chapter 7.105 RCW.
• Cost: no filing fee.
• More information: courts.wa.gov

Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit (King County)

A unit within the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office focused on firearm surrender enforcement in domestic violence cases.

• Website: kingcounty.gov

Legal Assistance

Washington State Bar Association

For personal legal advice on firearms law, rights restoration, or related matters.

• Find Legal Help: wsba.org/for-the-public/find-legal-help
• Low-income assistance is available for those with limited ability to pay.

Additional Legal Resources

• Washington LawHelp: washingtonlawhelp.org
• Northwest Justice Project: nwjustice.org
• Washington Courts Self-Help: courts.wa.gov

Restoring Firearm Rights

A person who has lost the right to possess firearms may petition for restoration under Washington law:

• General restoration of the right to possess a firearm: RCW 9.41.041. (The underlying prohibition on unlawful possession is RCW 9.41.040; the petition to restore rights is RCW 9.41.041.)
• Restoration after an involuntary mental health commitment or a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity finding: RCW 9.41.047, which addresses commitments under statutes such as RCW 71.05.240, 71.05.320, 71.34.740, and chapter 10.77 RCW.

Important considerations:

• A superior court order restoring state firearm rights does not by itself guarantee that a CPL will be issued.
• State restoration does not lift a federal firearm prohibition. A person may still be barred under federal law.
• Consult a private attorney about your specific circumstances.

Key Statute References

Emergency Contacts

• Emergency: 911
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Connections: crisisconnections.org
• Washington Department of Licensing: 360-902-3900