Buying A Handgun In Washington State Apr 2026

: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun or a semi-automatic rifle.

: You must be a Washington resident. Some dealers may require you to have lived in the state for at least 90 days.

: Many local shops and organizations, such as Sporting Systems and Sharp Shooting , offer these courses for free online. 3. The Purchase Process buying a handgun in washington state

To legally purchase a handgun in Washington, you must meet the following criteria:

: The dealer initiates an enhanced background check through the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Firearms Background Check Program . : You must be at least 21 years

: There is a mandatory 10-business-day waiting period for all firearm purchases. You cannot pick up your handgun until this period has elapsed and the WSP has issued a "proceed" status.

Once you have your training certificate, the store-front process begins: : Many local shops and organizations, such as

: The training must cover eight specific topics, including basic safety rules, secure storage, suicide prevention, and Washington laws regarding the use of deadly force.