In 2018, Washington voters approved a voter initiative that, among other things, increased the minimum age to purchase handguns and semiautomatic assault rifles to 21, and now generally prohibits anyone from transferring a semiautomatic rifle to anyone under 21.¹

Washington law provides that, unless certain exceptions apply,² a person between the ages of 18 and 21 may possess a handgun only:³

• In the person’s “place of abode;”
• At the person’s fixed place of business; or
• On real property under his or her control.

Similarly, a person who is between the ages of 18 and 21 can possess a semiautomatic assault rifle only:

• In the person’s home
• At the person’s fixed place of business
• On real property under the person’s control
• Outside these areas, provided that the gun is unloaded and is either in secure storage or secured with a trigger lock for the specific purpose of:
  • moving to a new home
  • traveling between the person’s home and real property under his or her control
  • selling or transferring the firearm⁴

In addition, an applicant for a concealed pistol license must be 21 years of age or older.⁵

In Washington, a person under age 18 may not own or possess a firearm, unless he or she is:

• In attendance at a hunter’s safety course or a firearms safety course;

• Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which such range is located or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited;

• Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm;

• Participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group that uses firearms as a part of the performance;

• Hunting or trapping under a valid license;

• In an area where the discharge of a firearm is permitted, when the individual is not trespassing and is either:
  • At least 14 years of age, having been issued a hunter safety certificate, and using a lawful firearm other than a handgun; or
  • Under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult approved for the purpose by the parent or guardian;
• Traveling with an unloaded firearm to or from any activity described above;

• On real property under the control of his or her parent, other relative, or legal guardian and has permission of the parent or legal guardian to possess a firearm;

• At his or her residence and, with the permission of his or her parent or legal guardian, in possession of a firearm for the purpose of lawful self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property; or
• A member of the armed forces of the United States, National Guard, or organized reserves, when on duty.⁶

 Federal age restrictions impose stricter limits.

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1. Washington Initiative No. 1639, Section 13, amending Wash. Rev. Code Ann § 9.41.240(1).[↩]
2. See Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 9.41.050 or 9.41.060 for additional exceptions.[↩]
3. Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.41.240.[↩]
4. Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 9.41.240(3).[↩]
5. Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.41.070(1)(c).[↩]
6. Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 9.41.040(2)(a)(vi), 9.41.042.[↩]