Washington LTC.

[Texasgrillchef]

As I understand it and I could be wrong, to get a LTC in the state of Washington you either go to your city police, or if your in a county without a large city, you go to your sheriffs department to apply for your LTC.

For non-Resident Washington LTC, which is anyone who lives outside a Washington and is not a resident, can apply at any sheriffs department, or city police for any city larger the. 100,000 people.

There are reports that some sheriffs department require non-residents to apply in person and others that will allow you to apply via mail.

Now here’s my question... especially to those who live in Washington, or have obtained a Washington LTC.

Which county sheriffs allow you to apply by mail? Which county sheriffs are the fastest to process? And which Sherrifs are more apt to approve non-residents? Or is Washington a shall issue? I have seen where they are suppose to be a shall issue, and heard some say they are a may issue?

Please let me know if any information I have now is incorrect though.

 

[mjsdwash]

laws in WA took an extreme turn about 10 years ago, going from a top 5 gun friendly state since then and racing to the bottom.

With that out of the way, last time I got mine, a little over a year ago, it was still Shall issue, and I have not heard any news of change.
Most departments will not give you problems over politics, with King, Snohomish, and Whatcom all being very professional about it. Be aware, WA recently dumped background checks onto local police, without giving them the money to perform them, so the efficiency of these types of things has suffered. Still good to call, most are friendly.
WA has been embedded in a scandal of government, with the Governor ordering a complete closure of the state economy, give or take, followed by erratic, chaotic changes to policy, all while WA's unemployment has neither the money, or the administrative intellect to handle is disastrous failure. 35,000 people have waited 12 weeks or more for unemployment to pay out. They literally called in the national guard to take over. Tens of millions missing and unaccounted for. The governor finally ordered the Employment securities department to lock their doors, unplug their phones, close out their email, and stop opening letters.
Meanwhile, our governor has ordered police to throw people in jail for not wearing a mask in public.
I don't tell you this to get political, but rather to see the state of complete, unmitigated chaos that WA is in, and understand the strong limitation of processing out of state CPL's. Call and ask.
My sheriff's office is closed, but has this listed
Reception Phone Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM
360-778-6600

 

[Old Dog]

You have to apply for the original in person. You will be finger-printed. Washington is shall-issue, and per the RCW, you're supposed to be provided your license within 30 days, presuming you pass the background checks.

I don't know of any sheriff's offices that will do originals by mail, but I think you could go to a county's website, which should have a link to its SOs and how each individual office processes CPL applications for non-residents.

By mail, you can only do renewals (in some counties).

By the way, up here the license is called a CPL - Concealed Pistol License.

https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconceal.html

Most county sheriffs' offices up here are incredibly user-friendly when it comes to CPL applications (unless you're in King or Pierce Counties). Feel free to reach out to me if you get up to the Puget Sound area.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

Almost not worth the trouble. Makes it almost pointless. Especially if one is only traveling through as a tourist.

The way I understand it though is open carry is permit less, and Washington recognizes Utah LTC.