Washington State CCW laws

TR4A · #1 09-28-2007, 08:25 PM

Below is the info I contributed to legallyarmed.org last year:

Washington

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
Washington State Constitution - Article I Section 24

CCW Overview
Washington is a shall-issue state; Applicants that meet all of the state requirements must be granted a CPL.
To obtain a Concealed Pistol License, you must:
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be eligible to possess a firearm pursuant with all state and federal laws
• Pass a background check
See RCW 9.41.070 for complete eligibility requirements.
You will be required to fill out an application. Fingerprints will be taken when applying.
The chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county must issue a license within 30 days after the filing of an application. However, if the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or Washington state identification card, or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive ninety days, the issuing authority shall have up to 60 days after the filing of the application to issue a license. The issuing authority shall not refuse to accept completed applications for concealed pistol licenses during regular business hours.
Washington residents need to apply with the Chief of Police or County Sheriff for which you live. Non-residents must apply in person at any Police or Sheriff's Office in the state.
Permits are valid for 5 years and may be renewed.
The state specifies the permit cost, which totals $60 for new applicants.

Carry Requirements
Per RCW 9.41.050, very 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 pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer or to any other person when and if required by law to do so.
There is no 'duty to inform' requirement in Washington to inform a law enforcement officer of your carrying status during a traffic stop; However it is always recommended to do so as courtesy.

Carry Restrictions
Washington defines a number of places you cannot carry:
• Any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law
• Public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas/facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools (CRW 9.41.280)
• On the site of an "outdoor music festival" (CRW 70.108.150)
• Restricted access areas of a jail, or of a law enforcement facility, or any place used for the confinement of a person (CRW 9.41.300)
• Areas in any building which are used in connection with court proceedings, including courtrooms, jury rooms, judge's chambers, offices, etc. (CRW 9.41.300)
• The restricted access areas of a public mental health facility certified by the department of social and health services for inpatient hospital care and state institutions for the care of the mentally ill, excluding those facilities solely for evaluation and treatment (CRW 9.41.300)
• Any portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age (CRW 9.41.300)
Please see CRW 9.41.300 for additional areas and more detailed descriptions of the restricted carry areas above.

Reference Links
General Washington Links :
• Concealed Pistol License Application
• Washington State Attorney General Reciprocity Info

Washington Statutes:
• CPL/Firearms Related Statutes
• Use of Force Statutes

Page History & Information
This page was contributed by tr4a
Originally created 16-Jul-2006 - Last updated 16-Jul-2006