USA Carry

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Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents

Example Resident Permit:

Issuing Authority:
This is your police chief or sheriff where you reside, or anywhere in the state for a non-resident.

Out Of State Permit Issue:
Yes

NICS check:
Yes

Permit Valid For:
Resident/Non-Resident- 5 Years

Permit Issued Timeline
If you are applying for your first concealed pistol license, it may take up to 30 days to complete the background check before the license is issued. If you do not have a Washington driver license or identification card, it can take up to 60 days.

Cost:
Resident/Non-Resident - The $55.25 fee in cash, check, or money order made payable to the law enforcement agency. This fee is non-refundable.
Renewals -
If you renew by the expiration date (You can renew up to 90 days early.) you must renew your license for $32.
If you renew ip to 90 days after the expiration date you must renew your license and pay a late fee for a total of $42.
If you renew more than 90 days after the expiration date you must apply for a new license for $55.25.

Requirements:
1. 21 years of age or older at time of application.
2. United States citizen or have an alien firearms license issued by the Department of Licensing in Olympia. Our phone number is (360) 664-6616.
3. No pending trial, appeal, or sentencing on a charge that would prohibit you from having a license.
4. No outstanding warrants for any charge, from any court.
5. No court order or injunction against possessing a firearm.
6. No mental health conditions that would prohibit you from having a license.
7. No felony convictions.
8. No convictions for any of the following crimes committed by one family member against another on or after July 1, 1993:

a. Assault IV
b. Coercion
c. Stalking
d. Reckless Endangerment in the second degree
e. Criminal Trespass in the first degree
f. Violation of the provisions of a protection order or no-contact order restraining the person or excluding the person from the residence

Required Documents:
1. Picture identification such as a Washington driver license or identification card

Renewal Information:
You must renew your license every 5 years. You will not receive a renewal notice, and it is your responsibility to ensure your license has not expired. You must renew your concealed pistol license in person at your local law enforcement agency. Bring with you picture identification such as a Washington driver license or identification card and your current concealed pistol license.

Change of Address:

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:

Every 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. Any violation of this subsection (1)(b) shall be a class 1 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW and shall be punished accordingly pursuant to chapter 7.80 RCW and the infraction rules for courts of limited jurisdiction.

Automobile carry:

Places off-limits when carrying:

Washington defines a number of places you cannot carry:
1. Any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law
2. Public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas/facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools (RCW 9.41.280)
3. On the site of an "outdoor music festival" (RCW 70.108.150)

4. Restricted access areas of a jail, or of a law enforcement facility, or any place used for the confinement of a person (RCW 9.41.300)

5. Areas in any building which are used in connection with court proceedings, including courtrooms, jury rooms, judge's chambers, offices, etc. (RCW 9.41.300)
6. 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 (RCW 9.41.300)
7. Any portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor control board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age (RCW 9.41.300)
Please see RCW 9.41.300 for additional areas and more detailed descriptions of the restricted carry areas above.

Alcohol and Drugs:
Waiting For Information. As always, alcohol/drugs don't mix with firearms. That's a pretty simple rule of thumb.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:

Washington is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law.

Open Carry:
Unrestricted under state law in most public areas.

Localities with Varying Laws:
RCW 9.41.290
State preemption.

The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to firearms or parts thereof, including ammunition and reloader components. Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law, as in RCW 9.41.300, and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances shall have the same penalty as provided for by state law. Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.

Forms & Links:
Washington State Department of Licensing: Firearms
Washington State of the Attorney General: Concealed Weapons
Washington State of the Attorney General: Concealed Weapons Reciprocity
Washington State of the Attorney General: Concealed Weapons FAQ