Washington Gun Laws
WAWashington at a glance
Firearm Regulations
Key Notes
Sale/distribution of assault weapons banned April 2023; possession of existing ones legal. Magazine manufacture/sale banned but possession unrestricted. Must be 21 for pistols or semi-auto rifles.
- •Yes (sale/transfer, since April 2023) Assault Weapon Ban — Sale and distribution of assault weapons have been banned since April 2023. Possession of assault weapons acquired before the ban is legal.
- •10 rounds (manufacture/sale/transfer) Mag Limit — Manufacture, sale, and transfer of magazines over 10 rounds is banned. However, possession of existing high-capacity magazines is unrestricted.
- •No (permit required from May 1, 2027) Permit to Purchase — Starting May 1, 2027 (HB 1163), every firearm buyer will need a 5 year State Patrol permit with certified safety training and fingerprints. Until then, you must be 21 to buy handguns or semi-auto rifles, and semi-auto rifle buyers need safety training.
- •Machine guns / SBS banned (NFA) — Machine guns and short-barreled shotguns are prohibited. SBRs, suppressors, and destructive devices are legal under state law. Federally, ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Machine guns and destructive devices still need ATF approval.
- •Shall Issue (Concealed Carry) — Washington must issue a Concealed Pistol License to qualified applicants.
- •Partial (pistols + semi-auto rifles) Firearm Registration — Pistol and semi-auto rifle sales are recorded with the state Department of Licensing, creating a partial registration system.
Last updated October 10, 2026
Most Popular AR-15 Parts in Washington
Ranked by how often builders in Washington picked each brand, from real builds on GunPartPicker over the last year. One core slot per row.
- TriggerGeissele34%
- Charging HandleRadian34%
- Pistol GripFeature restrictedMagpul28%
- Lower ReceiverPalmetto State Armory17%
- Upper ReceiverPalmetto State Armory16%
- Bolt Carrier GroupPalmetto State Armory14%
Flagged slots are covered by Washington restrictions. See How Washington Law Affects Your Build below, and confirm current law before you buy.
Build yours in the AR Builder and compare live prices across retailers.
How Washington Law Affects Your Build
Plain-English implications for builders, derived from the regulations above.
Assault Weapon Restrictions Apply
Washington restricts firearms classified as "assault weapons," and its law names the AR-15 and covers copies of it. A "featureless" configuration does not avoid a ban by name, so removing features does not make an AR-15 legal to buy or build in Washington.
Magazine Capacity Limit in Effect
Washington limits magazine capacity (10 rounds (manufacture/sale/transfer)). Standard 30-round PMAGs and similar magazines may not be sold or imported in their factory configuration. Plan your build around pinned, welded, or reduced-capacity magazines.
NFA Restrictions Apply
Washington restricts some or all NFA items (Machine guns / SBS banned). Suppressors, SBRs, or other regulated items may be banned under state law whatever ATF enforces federally. Verify before buying a 14.5" barrel or pinned muzzle device intended for SBR conversion. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
Background Checks on Private Transfers
Washington extends background-check requirements beyond licensed-dealer sales (Yes). Private transfers of complete firearms typically must run through an FFL.
Ready to spec a compliant build? Use the AR Builder to compare parts and live prices across retailers.
Washington Gun Laws — Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the AR-15 legal in Washington?
- Washington has an assault weapon ban (Yes (sale/transfer, since April 2023)) that names the AR-15 and covers copies of it, so a "featureless" build does not make one legal. Read the statute and its grandfather terms against your own situation before purchasing.
- What is the magazine capacity limit in Washington?
- 10 rounds (manufacture/sale/transfer). Standard 30-round magazines may not be legal for sale; compliant magazines (or pinned/welded options) are required for new builds.
- Does Washington require a permit to buy a firearm?
- No (permit required from May 1, 2027). A permit, license, or qualifying ID is required in Washington before purchasing a firearm.
- Can I conceal carry in Washington?
- Washington concealed carry status: Shall Issue. The state must issue a permit to applicants who meet the qualifying criteria.
- Is open carry legal in Washington?
- Washington open carry: Yes, no permit. Local restrictions may still apply in cities, parks, schools, or government buildings.
- Are suppressors and SBRs legal in Washington?
- NFA item status in Washington: Machine guns / SBS banned. State law can restrict these items whatever ATF enforces federally. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
- Does Washington require background checks for private sales?
- Yes. Background-check requirements in Washington extend beyond licensed-dealer sales — most private transfers must run through an FFL.
Sources & Further Reading
Verify current Washington firearm law with these authoritative resources. Laws change — always confirm with primary sources before purchasing or carrying.
- Giffords Law Center — comprehensive state-by-state firearm law summaries and policy analysis.
- NRA-ILA State Gun Laws — state directory with statute references and recent legislative updates.
- Everytown Research State Rankings — research-driven scoring and policy explanations across all 50 states.
- ATF Firearms — federal regulations on NFA items, FFL transfers, and firearm classifications.
Traveling to Washington with a gun?
Pick what you are bringing and where you start, and the Gun Travel Checker applies these rules to every state on the route, with what to do before each state line.
Check a trip to Washington →Legal Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with official state sources, a qualified attorney, or local law enforcement before making purchasing or carrying decisions. GunPartPicker is not responsible for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information.