2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Washington (WA) for 2026

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    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 19, 2024
    • Updated dateDecember 18, 2025
    • 13 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in WA for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in Washington for Cash in 2026

    Selling a gun in Washington requires detailed knowledge of the state’s laws to ensure compliance and prevent serious criminal penalties. Washington has a Universal Background Check law (RCW 9.41.113) which mandates that virtually all firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals—including sales, gifts, or loans—must be processed through a licensed gun dealer (FFL).

    This strict requirement is in place for all firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Therefore, when considering selling a gun in a private sale, both buyers and sellers must be fully informed of the regulations surrounding firearms to ensure the transaction is lawful.

    The following information is compiled from the Washington State Legislature official website (specifically the Senate Committee Services firearms law summary of 2019) and official guidance from the Washington Office of the Attorney General.

    Best options for selling a gun in Washington in 2026?

    There are many ways to handle the sale of firearms in Washington, giving sellers a variety of options to choose from.

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – Washington Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with Washington firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with Washington firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      In Washington, gun owners are permitted to sell firearms through private transactions; however, state law mandates that nearly all transfers between unlicensed individuals be processed through a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) to ensure a background check is conducted on the purchaser. Under RCW 9.41.113, a “transfer” includes not only sales but also gifts and loans of a firearm. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe legal consequences; a first-time, knowing violation is classified as a gross misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Subsequent violations are classified as Class C felonies.

      While the background check requirement is broad, Washington law provides specific narrow exceptions. These exemptions include bona fide gifts or loans between immediate family members—defined as spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, and uncles—as well as the sale of antique firearms. Additionally, temporary transfers are permitted in specific emergency situations to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, or for use at an authorized shooting range while in the presence of the owner. Below is the legal text:

      Section 9.41.113. Firearm sales or transfers – Background checks – Requirements – Exceptions.(1) All firearm sales or transfers, in whole or part in this state including without limitation a sale or transfer where either the purchaser or seller or transferee or transferor is in Washington, shall be subject to background checks unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The background check requirement applies to all sales or transfers including, but not limited to, sales and transfers through a licensed dealer, at gun shows, online, and between unlicensed persons.
      (2) No person shall sell or transfer a firearm unless:(a) The person is a licensed dealer;
      (b) The purchaser or transferee is a licensed dealer; or
      (c) The requirements of subsection (3) of this section are met.(3) Where neither party to a prospective firearms transaction is a licensed dealer, the parties to the transaction shall complete the sale or transfer through a licensed dealer as follows:(a) The seller or transferor shall deliver the firearm to a licensed dealer to process the sale or transfer as if it is selling or transferring the firearm from its inventory to the purchaser or transferee, except that the unlicensed seller or transferor may remove the firearm from the business premises of the licensed dealer while the background check is being conducted. If the seller or transferor removes the firearm from the business premises of the licensed dealer while the background check is being conducted, the purchaser or transferee and the seller or transferor shall return to the business premises of the licensed dealer and the seller or transferor shall again deliver the firearm to the licensed dealer prior to completing the sale or transfer.
      (b) Except as provided in (a) of this subsection, the licensed dealer shall comply with all requirements of federal and state law that would apply if the licensed dealer were selling or transferring the firearm from its inventory to the purchaser or transferee, including but not limited to conducting a background check on the prospective purchaser or transferee in accordance with federal and state law requirements and fulfilling all federal and state record keeping requirements, and complying with the specific requirements and restrictions on semiautomatic assault rifles in chapter 3, Laws of 2019.
      (c) The purchaser or transferee must complete, sign, and submit all federal, state, and local forms necessary to process the required background check to the licensed dealer conducting the background check.
      (d) If the results of the background check indicate that the purchaser or transferee is ineligible to possess a firearm, then the licensed dealer shall return the firearm to the seller or transferor.
      (e) The licensed dealer may charge a fee that reflects the fair market value of the administrative costs and efforts incurred by the licensed dealer for facilitating the sale or transfer of the firearm.

      (4) This section does not apply to:

      (a) A transfer between immediate family members, which for this subsection shall be limited to spouses, domestic partners, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, siblings-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, and uncles, that is a bona fide gift or loan;
      (b) The sale or transfer of an antique firearm;
      (c) A temporary transfer of possession of a firearm if such transfer is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the person to whom the firearm is transferred if:
      (i) The temporary transfer only lasts as long as immediately necessary to prevent such imminent death or great bodily harm; and
      (ii) The person to whom the firearm is transferred is not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law;
      (d) A temporary transfer of possession of a firearm if: (i) The transfer is intended to prevent suicide or self-inflicted great bodily harm;
      (ii) the transfer lasts only as long as reasonably necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm;
      (iii) the firearm is not utilized by the transferee for any purpose for the duration of the temporary transfer;
      (e) Any law enforcement or corrections agency and, to the extent the person is acting within the course and scope of his or her 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 official;
      (f) A federally licensed gunsmith who receives a firearm solely for the purposes of service or repair, or the return of the firearm to its owner by the federally licensed gunsmith;
      (g) The temporary transfer of a firearm 
      (i) between spouses or domestic partners; 
      (ii) if the temporary transfer occurs, and the firearm is kept at all times, at an established shooting range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which such range is located; 
      (iii) 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 a part of the performance; (iv) 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; or 
      (v) under circumstances in which the transferee and the firearm remain in the presence of the transferor; or 
      (vi) while hunting if the hunting is legal in all places where the person to whom the firearm is transferred possesses the firearm and the person to whom the firearm is transferred has completed all training and holds all licenses or permits required for such hunting, provided that any temporary transfer allowed by this subsection is permitted only if the person to whom the firearm is transferred is not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law; or
      (h) A person who 
      (i) acquired a firearm other than a pistol by operation of law upon the death of the former owner of the firearm or 
      (ii) acquired a pistol by operation of law upon the death of the former owner of the pistol within the preceding 60 days. At the end of the 60-day period, the person must either have lawfully transferred the pistol or must have contacted the department of licensing to notify the department that he or she has possession of the pistol and intends to retain possession of the pistol, in compliance with all federal and state laws.
      (i) 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

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in Washington

    In Washington State, only licensed firearms dealers are authorized to engage in retail sales of firearms. Furthermore, due to the state’s Universal Background Check law (RCW 9.41.113), virtually all firearm transfers, including private sales, must be processed through a licensed dealer (FFL).

    2026 Purchase Requirements in Washington

    • Age: The buyer must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns, and ammunition. Buyers looking to purchase handguns must be at least 21 years old from a licensed dealer due to federal law.
    • Permits/Registration: No permits or registration are required to own a firearm in this state.

    2026 Background Check Process in Washington

    Anyone purchasing a firearm through an FFL must comply with federal law by completing the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record), which the dealer maintains. The purchaser must also undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check, which the dealer performs under the Federal Brady Law. This check is crucial as it indicates to the dealer whether the purchaser’s background legally allows them to complete the firearm purchase.

    2026 Firearm Safety Training Program in Washington

    In order to purchase a semi-automatic assault rifle, the purchaser must provide proof to the dealer that he or she has completed a recognized firearm safety training program within the last five years. At a minimum, the training must include instruction on:

    • Basic firearms safety rules;
    • Firearms and children, including secure gun storage and talking to children about gun safety;
    • Firearms and suicide prevention;
    • Secure gun storage;
    • Safe handling of firearms; and

    According to the Washington State Legislature, a semi-automatic assault rifle is defined as any rifle which utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing cartridge to extract the fired cartridge case and chamber the next round, and which requires a separate pull of the trigger to fire each cartridge. The definition specifically excludes antique firearms, firearms that have been made permanently inoperable, or any firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action.

    2026 Firearm Ownership Restrictions in Washington

    The right to bear arms is a fundamental individual right under the United States and Washington State Constitutions, but it is subject to restrictions. The following persons are prohibited from possessing firearms under Washington law (RCW 9.41.040):

    • Felony Convictions: Any person convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony or any “serious offense” (such as certain violent crimes) is guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree (a Class B Felony).
    • Domestic Violence Misdemeanors: Any person convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of any of the following misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors when committed by one family or household member against another: assault in the 4th degree, coercion, stalking, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass in the 1st degree, harassment, or violation of a protective order.
    • Protective Orders: Any person who is currently subject to a restraining order or no-contact order that explicitly prohibits the use of physical force against a protected person or child.
    • Mental Health: Any person who has been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment, unless their right to possess a firearm has been restored by a court.
    • Pending Charges: Any person who is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a serious offense (as defined in RCW 9.41.010).
    • Minors: Any person under eighteen years of age (with limited exceptions for possession by minors).
    • Restoration of Rights: At the time a person is prohibited by a court (due to conviction, mental health commitment, or incompetency), the court must notify the person orally and in writing that they must immediately surrender any concealed pistol license and may not possess a firearm unless their right is restored by a court of record.

    FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

    • Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
    • Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
    • Felony pre-trial release.
    • Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
    • Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
    • Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
    • Renounced U.S. citizenship.
    • Illegal alien.

    Get the Best Price for Your Gun Without Leaving Home

    The process of selling a firearm in Washington is highly regulated and complex due to the state’s Universal Background Check law (RCW 9.41.113).

    This law mandates that virtually all private sales must be processed through a licensed dealer (FFL), and failure to comply is a serious crime: a Gross Misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class C Felony for subsequent violations (RCW 9.41.115). Navigating this strict compliance and the associated criminal liability can be overwhelming.

    Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all Washington and federal regulations.

    We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), who is government-licensed to manage the mandatory legal transfer, perform the required background check on the receiving end, and fully assume the compliance liability.

    The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us.

    When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

    When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

    Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

    Begin our safe and discrete process here.

    2026 Washington General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official Washington firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 Washington Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Is it legal to sell a firearm privately in Washington in 2026?

      Yes, but with restrictions. Washington requires that nearly all firearm transfers in 2026, including private sales between residents, be completed through a licensed FFL dealer. This ensures the buyer passes the mandatory background check.

    • Do I need a permit to sell a handgun in Washington?

      Private sellers do not need a permit to sell a handgun. However, all handgun transfers must go through a licensed dealer, where the buyer completes the required federal and state background checks before the sale is finalized.

    • Are background checks required for private gun sales in Washington?

      Yes. Under Washington law, private firearm transfers cannot be completed directly between two individuals. Both parties must process the sale through an FFL, where the buyer undergoes the required background check.

    • Does Washington require firearm registration before selling?

      Washington does not have traditional firearm registration, but handgun transfers processed through an FFL are recorded and reported to state law enforcement as required by Washington statutes.

    • Can I sell my gun online if I live in Washington?

      Yes. Washington residents may sell firearms online, but the final transfer must take place through an FFL dealer. The buyer must complete all required background checks before taking possession of the firearm.

    • How does CashMyGuns help sellers in Washington?

      CashMyGuns provides professional valuation, compliant shipping, and secure payment. Sales involving Washington residents are handled through licensed FFLs to ensure all state transfer and background check requirements are followed.

    • How can I verify a buyer’s eligibility when selling a gun in Washington?

      In Washington, the FFL dealer conducting the transfer will verify the buyer’s eligibility through federal and state background checks. This ensures the sale complies with all state laws.

    • What information should I include in a bill of sale?

      A proper **firearm bill of sale** should list the **make, model, caliber, and serial number** of the gun, along with **buyer and seller names**, **addresses**, and **signatures**. Keeping this record protects both parties in case of future disputes.

    • Are there restrictions on selling certain types of firearms?

      Yes, **fully automatic weapons, short-barreled rifles, and suppressors** are regulated under the **National Firearms Act (NFA)**. You must comply with **federal transfer requirements** when selling these items in Washington.

      Are NFA items like suppressors or short-barreled rifles treated differently in Washington?

      Yes. National Firearms Act items require federal approval, tax stamps, and background checks. Washington also has state-level restrictions on certain NFA firearms, so transfers must follow both federal rules and state regulations.

    • What’s a safe way to get a fair price for my firearm in Washington?

      Working with a reputable buyer like CashMyGuns ensures transparent pricing based on market data and a fully compliant process that meets Washington’s strict transfer and background check requirements in 2026.

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