Background: State and federal law require firearms dealers to conduct background checks for all sales or transfers of firearms where either the purchaser or seller, or transferee or transferor, is in Washington unless specifically exempt by state or federal law.
While generally no person may sell or transfer a firearm unless that person is a licensed dealer, or the purchaser or transferee is a licensed dealer, a sale of transfer of a firearm is permissible when neither party is a licensed dealer if:
- the sale or transfer is processed by a licensed dealer;
- the licensed dealer processing the sale or transfer complies with all requirements of federal and state law that would apply if the dealer were selling or transferring the firearm; and
- the purchaser or transferee completes, signs and submits all federal, state, and local forms necessary to process the required background check to the licensed dealer conducting the background check.
The following requirements for a sale or transfer of a firearm where neither party is a licensed dealer do not apply to:
- a transfer between immediate family members;
- the sale or transfer of an antique firearm;
- a temporary transfer of possession of a firearm necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the transferee so long as the transfer only lasts as long as immediately necessary and the transferee is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law;
- temporary transfer of possession of a firearm if intended to prevent suicide or self-inflicted great bodily harm; the transfer lasts only as long as reasonably necessary; the firearm is not used by the transferee for the duration of the temporary transfer;
- any law enforcement or corrections agency and, to the extent the person is acting within the course and scope of the person's employment or official duties, any law enforcement or corrections officer, United States Marshal, member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard, or federal officials;
- a federally licensed gunsmith for the purpose of service or repair, or the return of the firearm to its owner;
- a person who acquired a firearm other than a pistol by operation of law upon the death of the former owner, or a person who acquired a pistol in the same manner within the preceding 60 days at the end of which the person must either have lawfully transferred the pistol or must have notified the Department of Licensing that they have possession of the pistol and intend to retain possession in compliance with all federal and state laws; or
- a sale or transfer when the purchaser or transferee is a licensed collector and the firearm being sold or transferred is a curio or relic.
The following requirements for a sale or transfer of a firearm where neither party is a licensed dealer also do not apply to the temporary transfer of a firearm:
- between spouses or domestic partners;
- if the temporary transfer occurs, and the firearm is kept at all times, at an established and authorized shooting range;
- if the temporary transfer occurs and the transferee's possession of the firearm is exclusively at a lawful organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or while participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group that uses firearms as part of the performance;
- to a person who is under 18 years of age for lawful hunting, sporting, or educational purposes while under the direct supervision and control of a responsible adult who is not prohibited from possessing firearms;
- under circumstances in which the transferee and the firearm remain in the presence of the transferor; or
- while legally hunting, and the transferee is not prohibited from possessing firearms under state and federal law and has completed all training and holds all licenses or permits required for such hunting.