Washington Gun Bill of Sale - RCW § 9.41.113 Private Transfer

Yes — Washington has required background checks for all private firearm transfers since 2014. Under RCW § 9.41.113, both seller and buyer must appear together at a licensed FFL dealer who contacts the Washington State Patrol Firearms Background Division for the check. Washington is a Point of Contact state — checks go through WSP rather than directly to NICS, allowing the state to screen for Washington-specific disqualifiers. A direct hand-to-hand private transfer without dealer involvement is a criminal offense.

Washington mandates a 10-business-day waiting period from the time the dealer requests the background check until the firearm can be released to the buyer. This is one of the longest statutory waiting periods in the country — longer than California's 10-calendar-day wait and Virginia's former system. The waiting period applies to all firearm transfers including private sales through a dealer. Unlike federal law, Washington does not allow a default proceed after 3 business days if the check is delayed — the full 10 business days must elapse.

Yes — the dealer's records and ATF Form 4473 protect the state's interests. The Bill of Sale is your private contract documenting the agreed price, the firearm's condition, and the serial number before you hand anything to the dealer. Under RCW § 9.41.113, Washington prohibits any person from knowingly delivering a firearm to a prohibited person — a signed Bill of Sale with the buyer's self-certification is your good-faith defense.

Washington prohibits the sale, manufacture, and import of semi-automatic rifles defined as 'assault weapons' under state law. The ban covers semi-automatic centerfire rifles with features such as pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, folding stocks, grenade or flare launchers, flash suppressors, or threaded barrels. Current owners who possessed qualifying firearms before the ban are grandfathered — they can keep their firearms but cannot sell or transfer them within Washington. The law faces legal challenges. Verify whether your specific firearm qualifies as an assault weapon under Washington's definition before listing it for sale.

HB 1163, signed in May 2025, creates a state-issued Permit to Purchase system effective May 1, 2027. Buyers will need to obtain a 5-year permit from the Washington State Patrol before purchasing any firearm. The process requires: completing a certified live-fire firearms safety training course, submitting fingerprints, filling out an application, and passing a fingerprint-based background check. Processing takes up to 30 days (60 days for new Washington residents without a state ID). Holders of a valid Concealed Pistol License (CPL) are exempt from the training requirement. As of 2026, WSP is setting up the administrative infrastructure — training curriculum certification begins July 1, 2026.

Washington prohibits the sale or distribution of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. This applies to both handgun and rifle magazines. Magazines over 10 rounds that were owned before the ban may be possessed but cannot be sold or transferred within Washington. There is no grandfather provision allowing transfer of pre-ban high-capacity magazines. Always verify that any magazines included in a private sale comply with the 10-round limit.

Washington's family exemption under RCW § 9.41.113 is one of the broadest in the country. It covers spouses, domestic partners, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, siblings-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, and uncles. Notably, in-laws ARE included in Washington's exemption — a transfer to a brother-in-law or mother-in-law does not require a background check. This is broader than most states. The exemption does not cover cousins-in-law, friends, or other extended relationships.

SB 5098, passed during the 2026 legislative session, expanded Washington's gun-free zones to include all playgrounds, parks, amusement parks, and recreational swimming areas. This is in addition to existing gun-free zones established by SB 5444 (2025) which added public libraries, zoos, aquariums, and transit facilities. Washington's gun-free zone list is now among the most extensive in the country. Inform buyers of these restrictions at the time of transfer — old carry habits may now constitute violations.

Washington has broader prohibited person categories than federal law under RCW § 9.41.040. Prohibited persons include convicted felons, those with domestic violence misdemeanor convictions, individuals committed to mental institutions, anyone with two or more DUI convictions within a 7-year period, and those convicted of unlawful display or aiming of a firearm. Washington's marijuana prohibition is also notable — even though marijuana is legal in Washington, federal law still prohibits unlawful users of controlled substances from possessing firearms, and marijuana remains federally controlled.

No. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922 prohibits private person-to-person firearm transfers across state lines. Washington borders Idaho and Oregon — and selling directly to a resident of either without FFL involvement is a federal felony. Note that Washington's assault weapons ban means some firearms that are legal in Idaho or Oregon cannot be legally resold in Washington — if you receive a firearm as a gift or inheritance from out of state, verify its legal status in Washington before attempting to sell it.