Washington

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Washington

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to Washington. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the territorial period through statehood to the present.

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, logging, maritime, and aerospace records, and oral histories tied to Washington people and places.
Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

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Now showing 1 - 40 of 92

Del Cary Smith, Ordinances of the City of Port Townsend 25 (1890)
(1890)
Sections 3-5 prohibited carrying concealed weapons, brandishing firearms or other deadly weapons, and challenging another to fight (dueling).
Wash. Const. art. 1, § 24
(1889)
The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the State, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
Charter and Ordinances of the City of Olympia: Also General Laws of Washington Territory, Relative to the Government of Incorporated Cities and Towns 90 (1886)
(1886)
Prohibited storing gunpowder, dynamite, or nitroglycerine within Olympia’s fire limits or within 300 yards of another’s dwelling, subject to a 50-pound gunpowder exception. Violations were misdemeanors punishable by $25–$100 fines.
Charter and Ordinances of the City of Olympia: Also General Laws of Washington Territory, Relative to the Government of Incorporated Cities and Towns 80 (1886)
(1886)
Section 2 prohibited drawing, exhibiting, or attempting to use a deadly weapon against another person within Olympia; violations carried a $25–$50 fine. Section 3 prohibited carrying a deadly weapon concealed on one’s person within Olympia; violations carried a $5–$10 fine. Section 4 prohibited discharging any gun, pistol, or firearm within a specified area of Olympia; violations were punishable by a $5–$20 fine, 5–10 days’ imprisonment, or both.
An Ordinance Relating to Offenses and Disorderly Conduct, Olympia City Council, Ordinance No. 152, § 5 (Washington, 1882).
(1882)
No. 152, § 5: That any person or persons who shall fire or explode any fire crackers boom5 torpedoes, or any other explosives within the City of Olympia without first obtaining Permission from the City Council shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than five nor more than twenty-five dollars of or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten days, or by both such fine and imprisonment Provided that this section shall not apply to using fire works on5 the public squares, The [???]6 and Marshville Bridges and all boats or crafts upon the waters of the sound within the corporate limits of the City..."
1881 Wash. Sess. Laws 121-22
(1881)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Port Townsend, ch. 2, § 21: The City of Port Townsend has power to prevent injury or annoyance from anything dangerous, offensive, or unhealthy, and . . . to regulate the transportation and keeping of gunpowder, or other combustibles, and to provide or license magazines for the same[.]
1883 Wash. Sess. Laws 302, ch. 6, § 29, pt. 15
(1883)
Authorized City of Snohomish to regulate and prohibit carrying concealed deadly weapons and to prohibit using guns, pistols, firearms, firecrackers, bombs, and explosives.
1883 Wash. Sess. Laws 139-40
(1883)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Whatcom, Ch. 2, § 8: The city of Whatcom shall have the power to prevent injury or annoyance from anything dangerous, offensive, or unhealthy . . . to regulate and prohibit the carrying of deadly weapons in a concealed manner; to regulate and prohibit the use of guns, pistols and firearms, fire-crackers, bombs and detonating works of all descriptions[.]
An Ordinance Defining Offenses and Fixing the Punishment Thereof, §27 Walla Walla City Council (1878)
(1878)
No person shall carry any concealed weapons within the corporate limits of the City of Walla Walla, and any person convicted thereof shall be fined in any sum not less than five or more than twenty-five dollars;
An Ordinance Relating to Offenses and Disorderly Conduct, § 3, Olympia City Council (1882)
(1882)
Ordinance No. 152, § 3: Any [per]son who shall, in the usual walks of life, within the limits of the City of Olympia carry any deadly weapon concealed about his person, shall be liable to a fine of not more than ten or less than five dollars
1888 Wash. Terr. Sess. Laws 100
(1888)
Act of Jan. 31, 1888, § 1: Every person who shall in a reckless, careless or negligent manner discharge, in the vicinity of an inhabitated dwelling house, or in the streets of an incorporated city, or unincorporated town, any firearm, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding thirty days, or both such fine and imprisonment.
The Revised Statutes and Codes of the State of Washington 1042, § 6354 (Edward D. McLaughlin ed., 1896)
(1883)
§ 6354: Provided than any person who carried any weapon concealed on their person would be guilty of a misdemeanor
1881 Wash. Sess. Laws 76, An Act to Confer a City Govt. on New Tacoma, ch. 6, § 34, pt. 15
(1881)
Authorized New Tacoma to regulate transporting, storing, or selling gunpowder, giant powder, dynamite, nitroglycerine, or other combustibles without a license, as well as the carrying concealed deadly weapons, and the use of guns, pistols, firearms, firecrackers.
An Ordinance Relating to Offenses and Disorderly Conduct, § 2, Olympia City Council (1882)
(1882)
Ordinance No. 152, § 2: That any persons who shall draw exhibit or attempt to use any deadly weapon within the corporate limits of the City of Olympia, upon, to or against another person, shall be liable to a fine of not more than fifty nor less than twenty-five dollars.
1885-86 Wash. Terr. Sess. Laws 81-82
(1886)
Prohibited the concealed carry of any revolver, pistol, or other firearms, or any knife, dirk, dagger, sling shot, metal knuckles, any instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of another. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor, fined by not less than twenty but no more than one hundred dollars, or imprisonment not more than thirty days, or both fine and imprisonment.
1881 Wash. Sess. Laws 93, An Act to Incorporate the City of Dayton, chap. 2, § 20.
(1881)
The city of Dayton shall have power to prevent injury or annoyance from anything dangerous, offensive, or unhealthy, and . . . to regulate the transportation, storing and keeping of gunpowder and other combustibles and to provide or license magazines for the same[.]
The Revised Statutes and Codes of the State of Washington 1042, § 6353 (Edward D. McLaughlin ed., 1896)
(1883)
§ 6353: Sale of Toy Pistols to Children, It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to sell or offer for sale, any toy pistols within this state, and every person who shall sell, give, furnish, or cause to be furnished to any person under the age of sixteen years, any pistol, toy pistol or other pocket weapon, in which explosives may be used, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined in any sum not less than five, nor more than twenty-five dollars.
1888 Wash. Terr. Sess. Laws 100
(1888)
Act of Jan. 31, 1888, § 2: Every person who shall, in a manner likely to cause terror to the people passing, exhibit or flourish, in the streets of an incorporated city or unincorporated town, any dangerous weapon, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine in any sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
An Ordinance Relating to Offenses and Disorderly Conduct, § 4, Olympia City Council (1882)
(1882)
Ordinance No. 152, § 4: Any person, who shall within the following... [seems to contain a detailed description of local landmarks outlining a specific area]4...fire off or discharge any gun pistol or fire arm of any kind, shall be liable to a fine of not less than five or more than twenty dollars or by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than ten days or by both-such fine or imprisonment.
1883 Wash. Sess. Laws 161
(1883)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Ellensburgh, Ch. 2, § 20: The city of Ellensburg shall have power to prevent injury or annoyance from anything dangerous, offensive, or unhealthy . . . to regulate the transportation storing and keeping of gunpowder and other combustibles and to provide or license magazines for the same[.]
1881 Wash. Code 181
(1881)
Criminal Procedure, Offenses Against Public Policy, Ch. 73, § 929: Prohibited the carrying of "any concealed weapon." Punishable by fine up to $100 or imprisonment up to 30 days.
1869 Wash. Sess. Laws 202
(1869)
An Act Relative to Crimes and Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases, Ch. 2, §§ 22-23: § 22. Every person who shall engage in a duel with any deadly weapon, although no homicide ensue, or shall challenge another to fight a duel, or shall send or deliver any written or verbal message, purporting or intending to be such challenge, although no duel ensue, shall be imprisoned, on conviction thereof, in the penitentiary, not more than ten years, nor less than one year.
1869 Wash. Sess. Laws 203
(1869)
An Act Relative to Crimes and Punishments And Proceedings In Criminal Cases, Ch. 2, § 31: Every person who shall assault and beat another with a cowhide or whip, having with him at the time a pistol or other deadly weapon, shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the county jail not more than one year nor less than three months, and be fined in any sum not exceeding one thousand dollars.
William Lair Hill, Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington, Showing All Statutes in Force, Including the Session Laws of 1897, at 1956 (Vol. 2, 1897)
(1881)
Prohibited exhibiting a dangerous weapon in a manner likely to cause terror. Punishable by fine up to $25.
1873 Wash. Sess. Laws 186
(1873)
Ch. 2, § 34: Prohibited displaying any pistol, Bowie-knife, or other dangerous weapon to a crowd of two or more persons in a rude, angry, or threatening manner. Violators fined up to five hundred dollars and up to one year in jail.
2 Ballinger’s Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington 1956 (1897)
(1881)
§ 7082: Prohibited exhibiting a dangerous weapon in a manner likely to cause terror. Punishable by fine up to $25.
1869 Wash. Sess. Laws 203-04
(1869)
Ch. 2, § 32: Prohibited exhibiting, in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, a pistol, Bowie knife, or other dangerous weapon. Punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year and a fine up to $500.
1861-1862 Wash. Sess. Laws 22
(1862)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Walla Walla, Art. 5, § 3, Pt. 22: To regulate the storage of gunpowder, pitch, tar, rosin and all other combustible materials, . . . in shops, stables and other places. To prevent, remove or secure any fire-place, stove, chimney, oven, boiler, or other apparatus which may be dangerous in causing fire.
1862 Terr. of Wash. Stat. 284, ch. 2, § 30
(1862)
Prohibited displaying any pistol, Bowie-knife, or other dangerous weapon to a crowd of two or more persons in a rude, angry, or threatening manner.
1867 Terr. of Wash. Stat. 116
(1867)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Vancouver, Ch. 1, § 32, pt. 16: To regulate the storage and sale of gunpowder, or other combustible material, and to provide, by all possible and proper means, against danger or risk of damage by fire arising from carelessness, negligence or otherwise.
1883 Wash. Sess. Laws 102 An Act for the Protection of Fish and Game, § 12.
(1883)
Every person who shall use any sink box on any lake or river, or other waters in Washington Territory, for the purpose of shooting ducks or geese or other water fowls therefrom, or who shall use any batteries or swivel or pivot gun on boats, canvas, rafts or other device at any time, for the purpose of killing any water fowl within the limits of Washington Territory, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Ordinance No. 8, §§ 1 & 5, Washtucna Town Council (1903)
(1903)
All persons (Except police officers and other persons whose duty it is to execute process or warrants or make arrests) who shall carry upon their persons any concealed weapons consisting of a revolver, pistol or other firearms (except by written permit from the Town Marshal) or any knife (other than an ordinary pocket knife) or any dirk or dagger, sling-shot or metal knuckles, or any instrument by the use of which injury can be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person All persons (except peace officers as aforesaid) who shall draw, exhibit or attempt to use any deadly weapon upon, to or against another person, in said Town, with intent to do bodily injury to such person; All persons (except peace officers as aforesaid and persons practicing at target shooting in a shooting gallery duly licensed) who shall, within the Town limits, fire off and discharge any gun, pistol or firearm of any kind or bomb...
Ordinance No. A-17, § 2, Wilbur Town Council (1894)
(1894)
If any person shall within the corporate limits of the Town of Wilbur, fire or discharge any gun, rifle, fowling piece, pistol or any other firearm, they shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding twenty five dollars ($25.00) together with the cost of prosecution.
Ordinance No. A 236, §§ 1 (Pts. 1, 7, 12, 21, & 31), 9, 10, 26, 37, & 39, Yakima City Council (1917)
(1917)
Any person in said city, except police officers and other persons who are authorized by law or have obtained proper authority so to do from the Chief of Police of said city, who shall carry or wear in any manner concealed upon his or her person, any dirk, dagger, stilletto, bowie-knife, sword-cane, gun, pistol, revolver sling-shot, metal knuckles, or any other dangerous weapon or instrument which may be used to inflict injury upon the person of another. Any person in said city, except police officers and other persons whose duty it is to make arrestes, who shall draw, exhibit or attempt to use, any deadly weapon with intent to do bodily injury to another, or with the intention of intimidating such other person.-Any person in said city, except police officers engaged in the lawful discharge of their duty, and persons practicing at target shooting in a duly licensed shooting gallery, who shall fire off or discharge any gun, pistol or fire arm of any kind within the city limits...or who shall sell or give, or permit to be sold or given away to any person under the age of twenty one-years any intoxicating liquor, cigar, cigarette, cigarette paper or wrapping, or tobacco in any form; or who shall sell, or give, or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen years, any revolver, or pistol
Ordinance No. 56, §§ 15-16, Wenatchee City Council (1902)
(1902)
No person, except a police officer shall have or carry any bowie knife, pistol, sling shot, sand bag or other weapon concealed on or about his or her person; or fire or discharge any gun, rifle, fowling piece, pistol or other firearm within the limits of the town without a permit from the mayor and marshal.
Ordinance No. A-17, § 1, Wilbur Town Council (1894)
(1894)
If any person shall carry upon his person any concealed weapons, consisting of either a revolver or pistol or other fire arms, or any knife (other than an ordinary pocket knife), or any dirk or dagger, slung shot or metal knuckles, or any instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of another, within the corporate limits of the Town of Wilbur, they shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than five (5) dollars nor more than One hundred dollars ($100.00) or imprisoned in the town calaboose not more than thirty (30) days, or by both such fines and imprisonment in the discretion of the court, provided that this section shall not apply to police officers and other persons whose duty it is to execute process or warrants, or make arrests.
Ordinance No. 3, § 1, Washougal Town Council (1908)
(1909)
All persons (except police officers and other persons whose duty it is to execute process or warrants or make arrests] who shall carry upon his or her person any concealed weapon consisting of a revolver, pistol or other firearms or any knife (other than an ordinary pocket knife) or any dirk or dagger, sling shot or metal knuckles, or any instrument by use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person in said town. And, all persons (except police officers as aforesaid and persons practicing at shooting in a shooting gallery duly licensed) who shall, within the town limits, fire off or discharge any gun, pistol or firearm of any kind, or any bomb, shall be deemed and are disorderly persons and guilty of a misdemeanor
Ordinance No. 520, § 2, Vancouver City Council, (1910)
(1910)
Any person or persons who shall draw any species of fire arms or any dagger, dirk or knife or any other deadly or dangerous weapon upon the person of another or shall conceal upon his person any of the above weapons or any dangerous weapon, excepting a peace officer in the discharge of his official duties, within the limits of the City of Vancouver, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
Ordinance No. 1052, §§ 1-2, 5, & 8-9, Vancouver City Council (1920)
(1920)
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, give away, purchase or receive any pistol, revolver, derringer, bowie knife, dirk, or other weapon of like character which can be concealed on the person without securing and requiring the proper license to do as hereinafter set forth. No person shall sell, give away or deal in the weapons herein specified without first obtaining from the Chief of Police of Vancouver, Washington, a license so to do
Ordinance No. 377, §§ 2-4, Wenatchee City Council (1911)
(1911)
It shall be unlawful for any person to carry upon his person any concealed weapon, consisting of either a revolver, pistol or other firearm or any knife (other than an ordinary pock§et knife) or any dirk or dagger, sling shot or metal knuckle or any instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of another person, provided, that this section shall not ap§ply to police officers and other persons whose duty it is to execute process or warrants or to make arrests.It shall be unlawful for any person to draw any species of firearm or any dirk, dagger, knife or other dangerous or deadly weapon in the presence of another with intent to intimidate, an§noy or injure another person. FIRING ARMS OR EXPLOSIVES. It shall be unlawful for any person to fire or discharge any cannon, gun, pistol, revolver, or any firearm of any description, or fire, or explode, or set off any squib, cire cracker, torpedo or other thing containing powder or other explosive material, except on days of public celebration or jubilee, and then only in the manner provided by the Ordinances of the City of Wenatchee.

Washington

Washington

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