Driving through WA

[SkinnyGrey]

Please bare with me as this question may be a little convoluted.

I have a Connecticut CCP and I am in the process of applying for an Arizona carry permit. I want to drive across the country (with my gun) to Washington State, however Washington will not recognize either of my permits. So, this is my question: Am I allowed to drive into Washington with my pistol in my car and just keep it in the trunk?
If so, would I be allowed to use it at a firing range there?

If you answer this, thanks in advance!

 

[Mainsail]

I'll stay dressed and assume you meant 'bear' with you.

You are OK if the firearm in the trunk is unloaded and the ammunition is separate from the gun.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

haha, yes i meant "bear," it was late when i wrote that. and am i aloud to take it to the range in wa?

 

[Mainsail]

Yes, it has to be loud because suppressors are not legal for use here in WA.

You are allowed to shoot at any range you choose.

You may also carry your handgun openly as you walk around town, but once you get into a vehicle it is considered to be concealed and you need a CPL.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

for real? even if the gun is registered in connecticut?

 

[Mainsail]

There is no 'registration' here in WA (other than a voluntary one that nobody does).

 

[NavyLCDR]

Mainsail,

There is no requirement to separate the ammo from the gun.

In Washington, without a recognized CPL, the unloaded gun can be anywhere in the vehicle, except concealed on the person. Basically, if you get of the vehicle, and the unloaded gun stays in the vehicle, you are good to go, the gun is not on your person. Ammo can be anywhere in the vehicle or on your person, except actually in the gun.

Once you exit the vehicle, you can fully load the gun and open carry, without a permit, if you desire. Once you get out of the vehicle with your gun, the gun unloaded or loaded makes no difference at all, the exact same laws apply.

Actually, there is handgun registration in Washington state, but it is only required to be done by FFLs when selling a handgun. Private sales and handgun possession by private individuals are not required to be registered, but all sales of handguns by FFLs is - including all the personal info about the buyer, the buyer's ID card number and CPL number (if used), make model and serial number of the handgun is registered with the Department of Licensing.

 

[Mainsail]

There is no requirement to separate the ammo from the gun.

Thanks! I've long forgotten the no-CPL rules so I gave it some overkill. I was told that we have a voluntary gun registration but I don't know if that is a city (Tacoma) thing or a state thing. Either way, I don't know anyone who does it.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Handgun registration is all state (Department of Licensing). FFLs must send a pistol transfer form to them for all handgun sales, and private parties may voluntarily send a very similar for in to the state Department of Licensing, if they want to.

With the state budget crisis, I've been thinking about writing to the governor's office to suggest an executive order to halt the additional state police background checks and the stupid pistol transfer form and Department of Licensing handgun database. It's a huge waste of law enforcement and DOL resources that accomplishes nothing except gain votes for politicians from the anti-gun lobby. I would think a political platform of saving money and freeing up law enforcement to actually fight crime would be more popular now, though.

 

[Frank Ettin]

If you have time, consider a Utah permit. That would cover you in WA. You need a Utah instructor, but they're all over the country, so there might be one or more in CT. Check on http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/concealedfirearms.html .

 

[medalguy]

I too am planning another extended trip to Washington. I have applied for a Utah permit which Washington will recognize.

 

[suemarkp]

Why not just apply for a non-resident WA CPL? THen you won't have to worry and will have even more choices with how/where to carry.

 

[Frank Ettin]

I'm sure NavyLT, or another Washington resident, will correct if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that one may only apply for a WA permit in the State. So it probably wouldn't do the OP any good this trip.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Correct. You don't have to be a resident to apply, but you must apply in person. A non-resident can apply at any leo agency in the state.

 

[Chuck Dye]

Brush up on FOPA-Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 for your travels where you have no concealed carry right/privilege.

One reason I acquired my Utah CCW is that I was informed that Washington non-resident applications simply are not processed. True or not, I easily obtained the Utah credential with local training and application by mail.

 

[NavyLCDR]

One reason I acquired my Utah CCW is that I was informed that Washington non-resident applications simply are not processed.

You were misinformed. Washington is a must issue state.

Additionally, Washington state laws are much more lax in their requirements than FOPA. In Washington, a person without a recognized CPL can have an unloaded handgun on the seat next to them, on their lap, duct taped to their forehead, under their seat, in the glove box, in the center console, with a loaded magazine right next to the gun - none of which would meet the requirements of FOPA.

 

[Chuck Dye]

Washington state laws...

There are a few miles and states between Connecticut, New York, and Washington.