STATE
WASHINGTON GUN LAWS
In recent years, Washington has made significant progress on gun safety, passing a number of lifesaving pieces of firearm legislation.
Scorecard Grade
In 2016 and 2017, respectively, Washington voters approved ballot measures that enacted universal background checks and an extreme risk protection law. In 2018, state voters also approved measures to raise the minimum age to buy guns and enact a child access prevention law. In recent years, the state has also established a state office of firearm violence prevention, enacted critical ghost gun legislation, banned the sale of assault weapons, and invested in community violence intervention programs. In 2025, Washington passed a permit to purchase law.
In 2024, Washington had the 12th lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 950 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every nine hours. Sixty-eight percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 28% are gun homicides. In Washington, the rate of gun deaths increased 12% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE WASHINGTON’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What Washington Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Partial minimum age laws
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Ban on sale of assault weapon
- Certain waiting period laws
- Child access prevention laws
- Extended background check period
- State database background checks for handguns
- Ghost gun law
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Lost and stolen firearm reporting
- Sensitive location restrictions
- Victim’s Access to Justice Law
- Gun Owner Licensing Law
What Washington Is Missing
- Strong concealed carry law
- Broad open carry regulations
- Bulk firearm purchase restrictions
- Safe storage laws
- Handgun design safety standards
- Ban on possession of assault weapons
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?