I need help understanding gun registration in WA state.

[ChristopherG]

You couldn't voluntarily register a gun, because there is no place that stores that information.

My dispatch center knows that some people have guns registered to them. I don't know how they know it or where the records are kept; but I do know that the Sheriff's office has a form you can use to voluntarily register a gun. The SO takes it, and I don't know where the database is that it goes to from there--but my dispatch center does.

 

[twidget]

Handguns bought from a WA dealer are registered. Here is where you can find the relevant law:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.090

There is a three-part form used for this. One copy goes to the CLEO where the purchaser lives, one is kept by the dealer, and the third goes to the Dept. of Licensing in Olympia.

There is also a separate form to use for private party sales, but it is optional. Back when I worked for a gun dealer the legislature hadn't authorized funds to hire people to enter information from the forms into the data base, so the forms just collected in storage. I don't know if the situation has changed.

 

[MD_Willington]

not required, but some people do the paperwork...

 

[gits]

Had a similar question. I have a buddy who currently possesses one of my handguns that I bought in Oregon. He will be shipping it to me when he reaches his new duty station in North Carolina. Will my weapon go through whatever FFL process of paperwork to getting my gun back if I already own it? Or is there any other way to ship it back to my possession other than to maybe pick it up whenever I get back to North Carolina for a trip.

 

[NavyLCDR]

If he ships it via FEDEX or UPS, it must go to an FFL in Washington, and that FFL in Washington will transfer it to you via a 4473, the state form, NICS check, waiting period and everything else. Since it is your gun, and you are only "loaning" it to him, you can go and retrieve your firearm from him in person.

However, his transportation of that firearm into his state of residence, since he has "otherwise obtained" that firearm from an out of state resident, is a felony under 18 USC 922 because there is no "loan" exception for that subsection of the law:

§ 922. Unlawful acts
(a) It shall be unlawful—
(3) for any person, other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to transport into or receive in the State where he resides (or if the person is a corporation or other business entity, the State where it maintains a place of business) any firearm purchased or otherwise obtained by such person outside that State, except that this paragraph (A) shall not preclude any person who lawfully acquires a firearm by bequest or intestate succession in a State other than his State of residence from transporting the firearm into or receiving it in that State, if it is lawful for such person to purchase or possess such firearm in that State, (B) shall not apply to the transportation or receipt of a firearm obtained in conformity with subsection (b)(3) of this section, and (C) shall not apply to the transportation of any firearm acquired in any State prior to the effective date of this chapter;

 

[gits]

So I'm and Oregon resident, but I'm stationed in Washington does that mean I can't or not supposed to bring my firearms into my state that I live in?

 

[deadin]

If you are Military on active duty, you draw a bye on residency.

 

[NavyLCDR]

So I'm and Oregon resident, but I'm stationed in Washington does that mean I can't or not supposed to bring my firearms into my state that I live in?

Sorry if my post above confused you. It's your gun. You can bring it with you wherever you travel to as long as it is legal for you to possess it at your destination. The fact that you are military has no bearing on that. If you were just Joe Smoe civilian either traveling to Washington on vacation or moving to Washington you could bring the gun with you. Although, except for very limited circumstances you could not take it to New York City because it is not legal for you to possess it there without the license. Washington State and 95% of the United States is fine.

What is illegal is for you to ACQUIRE a gun from an out of state source and bring it to your state of residence. Retrieving YOUR gun, that you have already legally acquired, from a storage location to bring with you is just fine.

What is a very gray area in the law is the fact that you left your gun with someone else who is now transporting your gun, without your presence, across state lines. That appears to be in violation of 18 USC 922(a)(3). It would seem like they are violating that section by taking the gun with them to their home state, because they ACQUIRED the gun from you, an out of state source, and there is no "loaning" exception to 18 USC 922(a)(3). In other words, it's OK for you to loan the gun to someone who is not a same state resident, but as soon as they carry that gun back into their home state, they have violated the law.

Hope that clears it up. Also, as deadin pointed out, your military orders to Washington State, plus you active duty military ID card make you, for the purposes of all firearms transactions, a resident of the state of Washington, that is Federal law. In Washington, you do not have to switch your driver's license, but you can take your orders and ID card to the Washington Department of Licensing and get yourself a Washington State photo ID, which will make purchasing firearms in WA from FFL's much easier. AND if you get your Washington CPL, it does away with the waiting period for handgun purchases. Also, without the CPL (or one honored by WA) you cannot carry your handgun loaded in your vehicle - rifles are shotguns cannot be carried loaded in vehicles with or without the CPL.