Washington is a shall-issue state for concealed carry: adults 21 and older may apply for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) from their local police chief or county sheriff with no training requirement under current law (RCW 9.41.070). Open carry is generally permitted without a license, but a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle requires a CPL. Recent legislation has tightened Washington's firearms regime substantially — a 10-round magazine sale ban (2022), an assault-weapons sale/import/manufacture ban (2023), a universal 10-business-day waiting period for all firearm purchases (2024), and a permit-to-purchase requirement with mandatory training that takes effect May 1, 2027.
Sourced from official state legislature, AG, and ATF documents. Last verified June 6, 2026.
Yes. Concealed carry requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) issued by your local police chief or county sheriff under RCW 9.41.070. Washington is shall-issue: qualified applicants 21 or older must be issued the CPL within 30 days, and the current law requires no training (a training requirement takes effect May 1, 2027 under HB 1163).
Yes, generally. Adults 21 or older who are not federally prohibited may openly carry a handgun in public without a license, provided they do not manifest an intent to intimidate or warrant alarm. However, a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle still requires a CPL.
No. Washington has not adopted permitless concealed carry. A CPL is required to carry a concealed pistol anywhere outside your home or fixed place of business, and a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle also requires a CPL.
No. RCW 9.41.050 requires a CPL to carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle. Without a CPL, the pistol must be unloaded, locked within the vehicle, and concealed from view. With a CPL, a loaded pistol may be on the licensee's person, in the vehicle while the licensee is present, or locked and concealed when the licensee is away.
Possession of an existing AR-15, AK-47, or other 'assault weapon' is still lawful, but as of April 25, 2023 the manufacture, import, distribution, and sale (or offer for sale) of those firearms is banned under RCW 9.41.390. New ones cannot be sold in Washington.
You cannot buy one in Washington. RCW 9.41.370, effective July 1, 2022, bans the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of any magazine with a capacity over 10 rounds. Possession of magazines you already own is not criminalized. The Washington Supreme Court upheld the sale ban in May 2025.
Yes — 10 business days for any firearm purchased from a licensed dealer. HB 1143 (2023) extended the existing semiautomatic-rifle waiting period to all firearms effective January 1, 2024, codified at RCW 9.41.092.
Yes. RCW 9.41.113 requires that essentially all private firearm transfers go through a licensed dealer who processes the background check, with limited exemptions for immediate-family gifts/loans, antique firearms, emergency self-defense, gunsmith repairs, and on-range temporary transfers. Originally enacted by Initiative 594 in 2014.
Effectively yes, via case law. There is no statutory stand-your-ground law, but the Washington Supreme Court (State v. Redmond, 2003) and the state's pattern jury instruction WPIC 16.08 establish that a person in a place they have a right to be has no duty to retreat before using lawful force in self-defense. RCW 9A.16.050 codifies justifiable homicide in resisting a felony at the home or in the slayer's presence.
Yes. Chapter 7.105 RCW authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs); an intimate partner, family or household member, or law enforcement agency may petition. A granted order requires the respondent to surrender firearms and prohibits firearm purchase or possession during the order's term. Originally adopted by Initiative 1491 in 2016.
No. Washington imposes no statutory duty to proactively inform an officer. CPL holders must carry the license while concealed-carrying and present it on demand, but you are not required to volunteer the information first.
No. RCW 9.41.280 bars carrying or possessing a firearm on public or private K-12 school premises, school-provided transportation, or school-exclusive facility areas. Violations are a gross misdemeanor and can be a class C felony for second/subsequent firearm violations. Limited exceptions exist for law enforcement, school-authorized activities, and locked vehicle storage by adults licensed to carry.
Yes. Washington has not enacted a 'guns-in-trunks' employer parking-lot protection statute. Private employers may prohibit employees from storing firearms in personal vehicles on employer property as a workplace policy.
Yes, in full compliance with the federal National Firearms Act. Washington does not impose an additional state prohibition on suppressors, SBRs, or short-barreled shotguns. Newly manufactured machine guns remain barred from civilian ownership by the federal Hughes Amendment.
Only for ten states whose laws meet Washington's requirements (license issued only to age 21+, mandatory fingerprint-based background check including mental health). As of the AG's notice last updated July 25, 2025: ID (Enhanced only), KS (Standard only), LA, MI, MT (Enhanced only), NC, ND (Class 1 only), OH, SD (Unrestricted Enhanced and Gold only), UT (excluding under-21 Provisional). Reciprocity is bilateral with these ten states.
HB 1163 (Chapter 370, Laws of 2025) takes effect. Prospective firearm buyers will need to obtain a permit-to-purchase from the Washington State Patrol, which requires fingerprints, completion of a certified firearms-safety training course within the prior five years, and the permit fee. The CPL itself also adds a training requirement on that date.
Washington has NOT enacted permitless (constitutional) concealed carry. Concealed carry of a pistol requires a CPL issued under RCW 9.41.070; the only general exception is in the person's home or fixed place of business. Open carry of a handgun does not require a permit, but loaded handguns in a motor vehicle do require a CPL.
"a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol"
RCW 9.41.050 / RCW 9.41.070 statute
Washington is a shall-issue state: the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county shall issue a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) within 30 days (60 days for non-residents or those without WA ID) to qualified applicants 21 or older. The license is valid for five years. Initial license fee is $36 (plus FBI charges), renewal $32. The current version (in effect until May 1, 2027) imposes NO training requirement; a certified firearms safety training requirement takes effect May 1, 2027 under HB 1163.
"The chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county shall within thirty days after the filing of an application of any person... issue a license to such person to carry a pistol concealed on his or her person."
RCW 9.41.070 statute
A person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol, except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business. Every licensee must have the CPL in immediate possession at all times and display it on demand to any police officer.
"a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol... Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer."
RCW 9.41.050 statute
Washington imposes no general permit requirement on the open carry of a handgun by a person 21 or older who is not federally prohibited. The handgun must not be carried in a manner manifesting an intent to intimidate or warrant alarm under RCW 9.41.270, and a loaded handgun in a vehicle still requires a CPL under RCW 9.41.050.
"a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol"
It is unlawful to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm or other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons. This is the principal statutory limit on Washington's otherwise permitless open carry of handguns.
"It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons."
RCW 9.41.270 (weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — intent to intimidate) statute
A person may not carry or place a LOADED pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a Concealed Pistol License AND the pistol is on the licensee's person, or the licensee remains in the vehicle, or the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view. UNLOADED pistols left in a vehicle must be locked within the vehicle and concealed from view. This rule applies the same to rental cars and to glove box, center console, or trunk storage.
"shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view."
RCW 9.41.050 statute
Washington has not enacted a 'guns-in-trunks' employer parking-lot protection statute. Private employers may lawfully prohibit employees from storing firearms in personal vehicles parked on employer property. Statewide preemption under RCW 9.41.290 limits municipal regulation but does not affirmatively protect employee firearm storage.
"The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state."
Washington's reciprocity statute requires the other state to (1) recognize Washington CPLs, (2) not issue licenses to persons under 21, and (3) require a mandatory fingerprint-based background check for criminal and mental health history. As of the Attorney General's notice last updated July 25, 2025, ten states satisfy these requirements: Idaho (Enhanced only), Kansas (Standard only), Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (Enhanced only), North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 only), Ohio, South Dakota (Unrestricted Enhanced and Gold only), and Utah (excluding under-21 Provisional). Reciprocity is bilateral with these states; carry conditions in each state govern when traveling there.
"A person licensed to carry a pistol in a state the laws of which recognize and give effect in that state to a concealed pistol license issued under the laws of the state of Washington is authorized to carry a concealed pistol in this state if: (i) The licensing state does not issue concealed pistol licenses to persons under twenty-one years of age; and (ii) The licensing state requires mandatory fingerprint-based background checks of criminal and mental health history."
RCW 9.41.073 / WA Attorney General Reciprocity Notice (updated 2025-07-25) ag
RCW 9.41.073 is Washington's CPL reciprocity statute. A person licensed to carry a pistol in another state is authorized to carry a concealed pistol in Washington only if the issuing state recognizes Washington CPLs, does not issue licenses to persons under 21, and requires mandatory fingerprint-based background checks of criminal and mental-health history. The Attorney General publishes the list of qualifying states.
"A person licensed to carry a pistol in a state the laws of which recognize and give effect in that state to a concealed pistol license issued under the laws of the state of Washington is authorized to carry a concealed pistol in this state if:"
Washington recognizes a castle-doctrine principle by statute and case law: homicide is justifiable in actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his or her presence, or upon or in a dwelling or other place of abode in which he or she is. The state has no separate statutory presumption of reasonable belief for forcible-entry scenarios — the no-retreat principle is judge-made (see State v. Redmond).
"in the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his or her presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he or she is."
Washington has no statutory 'stand your ground' law, but the Washington Supreme Court in State v. Redmond (2003) reaffirmed that a person acting in self-defense has no duty to retreat when assaulted in a place where the person has a right to be. The principle is incorporated into Washington Pattern Jury Instruction (WPIC) 16.08. Citation tier downgraded to 'secondary' because no courts.wa.gov primary opinion URL was accessible at verification time.
"the law is well settled that there is no duty to retreat when a person is assaulted in a place where he or she has a right to be."
State v. Redmond, 150 Wn.2d 489, 78 P.3d 1001 (2003) secondary
Washington imposes no statutory duty to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are armed. A CPL holder must carry the license at all times while concealed-carrying and display it on demand to any police officer, but the display obligation is reactive — there is no statutory duty to volunteer the information at a traffic stop.
"Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer."
RCW 9.41.050 (display on demand) statute
It is a gross misdemeanor to enter with a firearm into restricted-access areas of a jail or law enforcement facility, court-proceedings areas of any building, restricted-access areas of a public mental health facility, the over-21 portion of a liquor-licensed establishment, restricted-access areas of a commercial service airport (including TSA screening checkpoints), library premises, accredited zoo or aquarium premises, transit stations or facilities, or to open-carry at a permitted demonstration or within 250 feet of one.
"It is unlawful for any person to enter the following places when he or she knowingly possesses or knowingly has under his or her control a weapon: ... restricted access areas of a jail, or of a law enforcement facility... that portion of an establishment classified by the state liquor and cannabis board as off-limits to persons under twenty-one years of age."
It is a gross misdemeanor (or a class C felony for second/subsequent violations involving a firearm) for any person to carry onto, possess on, or transport into elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities being used exclusively by public or private schools any firearm. Limited exceptions exist for law enforcement, school-authorized activities, and case-storage in vehicles by adults licensed to carry.
"It is unlawful for a person to carry onto, or to possess on, public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools... any firearm"
Chapter 27.12 RCW governs public libraries in Washington — the establishment, operation, and management of municipal, county, rural, island, and intercounty rural library districts. RCW 9.41.300 incorporates this chapter by reference to identify the 'library premises' on which firearms possession is prohibited under the 2024 SB 5444 amendments.
"Chapter 27.12 RCW — Public Libraries"
Washington requires a background check on ALL firearm sales or transfers in or partly in the state, whether through a licensed dealer, at gun shows, online, or between unlicensed persons. When neither party is a licensed dealer, the parties must complete the transfer through a licensed dealer who processes the check. Originally enacted by voter Initiative 594 in 2014. Limited exemptions exist for immediate-family gifts/loans, antique firearms, emergency self-defense transfers, law enforcement/military, gunsmith repairs, and on-range temporary transfers.
"All firearm sales or transfers, in whole or part in this state including without limitation sales and transfers through a licensed dealer, at gun shows, online, and between unlicensed persons, shall be subject to background checks."
A licensed dealer may not deliver any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until the results of all required background checks are known AND ten business days have elapsed from the date the dealer requested the background check. As amended by HB 1143 (2023), this waiting period applies to ALL firearms (pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles), not just semiautomatic assault rifles, effective January 1, 2024.
"A licensed dealer may not deliver any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until... Ten business days have elapsed from the date the licensed dealer requested the background check."
A licensed dealer may not deliver a firearm to a purchaser or transferee until the dealer verifies the purchaser has either obtained a valid permit to purchase firearms or completed recognized firearm safety training within the preceding five years, in addition to other requirements of chapter 9.41 RCW. As amended by E2SHB 1143 (2023), the universal training-or-permit requirement applies to all firearms and operates alongside the 10-business-day waiting period in RCW 9.41.092.
"In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, no dealer may deliver a firearm to the purchaser or transferee thereof until..."
A person under 21 years of age may not purchase a pistol OR a semiautomatic assault rifle in Washington. Adults 18-20 may purchase non-semiautomatic-assault long guns and may possess pistols only at their residence, fixed place of business, or real property under their control (with limited transport exceptions). Washington's age-21 floor for semiautomatic rifles was established by voter Initiative 1639 in 2018, effective January 1, 2019.
"A person under twenty-one years of age may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle."
RCW 9.41.240 statute
Federal law requires that a licensed dealer not sell or deliver a handgun to anyone under 21 or a long gun to anyone under 18. Washington's state floor of 21 for semiautomatic rifles is higher than the federal long-gun minimum.
"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."
Washington does not require general firearm registration. Pistol transfer records are reported by dealers to the Washington State Patrol and Department of Licensing under existing dealer-record statutes, but no comprehensive owner registry exists.
"The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms."
Washington has an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law originally adopted by voter Initiative 1491 in 2016 and recodified into chapter 7.105 RCW in 2022. A petition for an ERPO may be filed by an intimate partner or family/household member of the respondent, or by a law enforcement agency. Granted orders require the respondent to surrender firearms and prohibit firearm purchase or possession during the order's term.
"an intimate partner or a family or household member of the respondent; or a law enforcement agency"
Washington bans the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of any 'assault weapon' as defined in RCW 9.41.010, effective April 25, 2023 (HB 1240, Chapter 162, Laws of 2023). Possession by current owners is not criminalized. Limited exceptions exist for sales to the military and law enforcement, certain out-of-state sales by licensed dealers, and inheritance.
"No person in this state may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any assault weapon, except as authorized in this section."
RCW 9.41.390 statute
Washington defines 'assault weapon' by an enumerated list of specific make/model firearms (including AK and AR-pattern rifles), plus semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines and one or more features such as a folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip protruding beneath the action, flash suppressor, or threaded barrel. The definition tracks the categorical-plus-features format used in HB 1240.
"'Assault weapon' means: (a) Any of the following specific firearms..."
No person in Washington may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any large capacity magazine. A 'large capacity magazine' is an ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than 10 rounds (with carve-outs for permanently altered devices and .22-caliber tube magazines). Possession of pre-existing large-capacity magazines is not criminalized. Sale ban effective July 1, 2022 (Chapter 104, Laws of 2022).
"No person in this state may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any large capacity magazine, except as authorized in this section."
On May 8, 2025, the Washington Supreme Court upheld the large-capacity-magazine sale ban in a 7-2 ruling, holding that high-capacity magazines are not 'arms' within the protection of the Second Amendment but are a regulable firearm component. A petition for U.S. Supreme Court review was filed in August 2025; the WA ban remained in effect through the 2026-06-06 verification date.
"Washington Supreme Court upholds ban on high-capacity ammo magazines"
RCW 9.41.010 is the definitions section for chapter 9.41 RCW (Firearms and Dangerous Weapons). It supplies the operative definitions of 'assault weapon', 'large capacity magazine', 'pistol', 'semiautomatic assault rifle', 'firearm', and other terms used throughout the substantive provisions in the chapter, including the magazine ban (RCW 9.41.370) and the assault-weapons ban (RCW 9.41.390).
"Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter."
Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration. Washington state law permits possession of NFA items by individuals in compliance with federal law (no state-law prohibition on suppressors, SBRs, or SBSs); civilian ownership of newly manufactured machine guns is barred by the federal Hughes Amendment to the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 in all states.
"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."
Washington preempts the entire field of firearms regulation statewide, including registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and reloader components. Cities, towns, and counties may enact only those firearm laws specifically authorized by state law (such as the location-based restrictions in RCW 9.41.300) and consistent with the chapter; inconsistent or more-restrictive local ordinances are preempted and repealed.
"The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state... Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed."
RCW 9.41.290 statute
SB 5078, enacted as Chapter 104 of the 2022 Laws and signed March 23, 2022 (effective July 1, 2022), prohibits the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of large-capacity magazines (more than 10 rounds), codified at RCW 9.41.370.
"AN ACT Relating to limiting large capacity magazines"
HB 1240, enacted as Chapter 162 of the 2023 Laws and signed April 25, 2023 (effective immediately as an emergency act), bans the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of assault weapons in Washington (codified at RCW 9.41.390). Possession by existing owners remains lawful.
"AN ACT Relating to establishing firearms-related safety measures to increase public safety"
Chapter 162, Laws of 2023 (HB 1240) — Assault Weapons Ban statute
E2SHB 1143 (Chapter 161, Laws of 2023, signed April 25, 2023, effective January 1, 2024) extended the 10-business-day waiting period and the recognized firearms-safety-training requirement to ALL firearm sales by licensed dealers, not just semiautomatic assault rifles. Codified at RCW 9.41.090 and 9.41.092.
"AN ACT Relating to enhancing requirements for the purchase or transfer of firearms"
E2SHB 1163 (Chapter 370, Laws of 2025, signed by Governor Ferguson May 20, 2025) establishes a permit-to-purchase requirement: prospective firearm buyers must obtain a permit from the Washington State Patrol that requires fingerprinting, a certified firearms-safety training course within the prior five years, and the permit fee. Effective May 1, 2027 (except a recordkeeping section effective July 27, 2025).
"AN ACT Relating to enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms by requiring a permit to purchase firearms... EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 2027—Except for section 6, which takes effect July 27, 2025."
Chapter 370, Laws of 2025 (E2SHB 1163) — Permit to Purchase statute
Voter Initiative 1639, approved November 6, 2018 (59% to 41%), raised the minimum purchase age for semiautomatic rifles to 21, imposed a 10-day waiting period for semiautomatic rifle purchases, expanded background-check and safety-training requirements, and added secure-storage liability provisions. The age provisions took effect January 1, 2019; the remainder took effect July 1, 2019. Codified across multiple sections of chapter 9.41 RCW.
"Initiative 1639"
E2SHB 1163, signed by Governor Ferguson May 20, 2025, establishes a permit-to-purchase requirement effective May 1, 2027. Prospective firearm buyers must obtain a permit from the Washington State Patrol that requires fingerprints, a certified firearms-safety training certificate within the prior five years, and the permit fee. A CPL applicant will also need to complete certified training. Section 6 takes effect July 27, 2025.
E2SHB 1143, signed April 25, 2023 and effective Jan. 1, 2024, extended the existing 10-business-day waiting period and recognized firearm-safety-training requirement to ALL firearms sold by licensed dealers (previously limited to semiautomatic assault rifles). Codified at RCW 9.41.090 and 9.41.092.
HB 1240, signed April 25, 2023 and effective immediately as an emergency act, banned the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of assault weapons (as defined in RCW 9.41.010) in Washington. Possession by existing owners remains lawful. Federal preliminary-injunction challenges (Hartford v. Ferguson, Banta v. Ferguson) were denied at the district-court level in 2023-2024.
SB 5078, signed March 23, 2022 and effective July 1, 2022, prohibited the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Possession of existing high-capacity magazines was not criminalized. The Washington Supreme Court upheld the sale ban 7-2 on May 8, 2025 (State v. Gator's Custom Guns).
Voter Initiative 1639 (approved Nov. 6, 2018) raised the minimum purchase age for semiautomatic rifles to 21, imposed a 10-day waiting period and recognized safety training requirement for semiautomatic rifle purchases, expanded background checks, and added secure-storage provisions. Age provisions effective Jan. 1, 2019; remaining provisions effective July 1, 2019. Codified across multiple sections of chapter 9.41 RCW.
Carrying or possessing a firearm on public or private K-12 school premises, school-provided transportation, or facility areas being used exclusively by schools is a gross misdemeanor (and may be a class C felony for second/subsequent firearm violations), subject to limited exceptions for law enforcement, school-authorized activities, and locked vehicle storage by adults licensed to carry.
It is unlawful to enter restricted areas in any building used in connection with court proceedings — including courtrooms, jury rooms, and judge's chambers — with a firearm. Violation is a gross misdemeanor.
It is unlawful to enter, with a firearm, that portion of an establishment classified by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board as off-limits to persons under 21. Violation is a gross misdemeanor.
It is unlawful to enter library premises (libraries established under chapter 27.12 RCW) with a firearm. Added by SB 5444 (2024), effective June 6, 2024.
It is unlawful to enter the premises of an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium with a firearm. Added by SB 5444 (2024), effective June 6, 2024.
It is unlawful to enter a transit station or transit facility with a firearm. Added by SB 5444 (2024), effective June 6, 2024.
It is unlawful to enter restricted-access areas of a commercial service airport — including passenger screening checkpoints and the sterile area beyond — with a firearm.
It is unlawful to enter restricted-access areas of a public mental health facility licensed or certified by the Department of Health for inpatient hospital care with a firearm.
It is unlawful to enter restricted-access areas of a jail or law enforcement facility, or any place of confinement, with a firearm.
It is unlawful to openly carry a firearm at any permitted demonstration or within 250 feet of a permitted demonstration's identified area.
Every fact on this page is paired with a citation to the underlying statute, attorney general guidance, court opinion, or ATF document. We do not rely on summaries from advocacy organizations as primary sources. Last verified June 6, 2026 against the official sources.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. We are not attorneys and nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship. Gun laws are complex, change frequently, and are interpreted differently across jurisdictions and individual fact patterns.
Before relying on any information on this page — to carry a firearm, purchase a firearm, travel across state lines, or respond to a self-defense situation — you should:
The controlling document is the statute or court ruling, not this page. We make no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information, and we disclaim all liability for any reliance placed upon it.
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