Washington Firearm Bill of Sale Form

A Washington firearm bill of sale helps private buyers and sellers document the purchase and sale of a firearm. It contains details about the sale, such as information on the firearm, the sales price, payment method, and the seller’s and buyer’s names.

Download: PDF or MS Word.

State Laws for Selling a Gun in Washington

Minimum Age to Purchase

Washington requires individuals to be at least 21 to purchase a semi-automatic assault rifle or a pistol. [1]

Permit for Purchase

Washington doesn’t require buyers to have a permit to purchase a gun.

Register a Gun

You can buy a firearm in Washington state without registering it. You do not have to send a record of firearms to the police.

Open Carry Permit

Individuals can openly carry a handgun without a permit. They should not openly carry firearms where concealed carry is prohibited.

Open carry of a loaded handgun in a vehicle is only legal with a concealed pistol license (CPL). Openly carrying a loaded long gun in a vehicle is always illegal, with or without a CPL.

Concealed Carry Permit

Concealed carry is only permitted by persons with a license to carry concealed except for in the person’s home or place of business. [2]

How to Apply

You must be 21 years old to have a CPL. [3] Follow these steps to get your license:

• Step 1 – Visit the Local Sheriff or Police: Contact or check the website of a sheriff’s office or police department through the local city or county government for a Concealed Pistol License Application. You must apply in person at a local law enforcement agency (LEA).
• Step 2 – Complete Application: Fill in the application and produce a valid state driver’s license or ID. Bring your permanent resident card if you are a permanent resident alien.
• Step 3 – Pay Fee: All applicants must pay a fee to process their application. The first-time fee is $36 plus the fingerprinting costs, and the renewal fee is $32. [4]
• Step 4 – Consent to a Background Check: The LEA will complete a background check and fingerprints. Your local law enforcement agency will approve or deny your completed application within 30 days.

Washington is a “shall issue” state, so it will grant CPLs to every applicant who meets the criteria. There are no training course requirements.

Gun Reciprocity

Washington state recognizes the concealed carry permits of all states that: [5]

• Recognize and give effect to Washington state concealed pistol licenses;
• Do not issue concealed pistol licenses or permits to people under 21; and
• Require mandatory fingerprint-based background checks for mental health and criminal history.

Washington currently recognizes ten states’ concealed carry permits. [6]

Restrictions on Firearm Ownership

The following individuals cannot purchase or own a firearm: [7]

• Anyone convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity for any serious offense
• Anyone convicted of a felony not specifically listed as prohibiting firearm possession under the first-degree offense
• Anyone convicted of domestic violence-related offenses, such as assault in the fourth degree, reckless endangerment, stalking, coercion, or violations of no-contact orders committed after July 1, 1993
• Anyone convicted of harassment involving family members or intimate partners
• Anyone convicted of misdemeanor offenses such as domestic violence, stalking, unlawful carrying of a firearm, harassment, or animal cruelty in the second-degree
• Anyone who violates provisions of no-contact or protection orders issued after a hearing and restraining the person from harming or threatening others
• Anyone subject to protection, restraining, or no-contact orders prohibiting firearms
• Anyone involuntarily committed based on a mental disorder, unless their rights are restored
• Anyone who has had charges dismissed due to incompetency to stand trial
• Anyone under the age of 18
• Anyone free on bond or personal recognizance awaiting trial for a serious offense
• Anyone who has filed and not revoked a voluntary waiver of firearm rights