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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Item type:Item, 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...Item type:Item, 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 pistolItem type:Item, 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.Item type:Item, 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 misdemeanorItem type:Item, 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.Item type:Item, 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 doItem type:Item, 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.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 79, §§ 2, 3, & 15, Yakima City Council (1910)(1910)It shall be unlawful for any person to fire or discharge any pistol, gun, rifle, cannon, or any description of firearms within the corporate limits of said city. It shall be unlawful for any person not being a police officer or not having a permit from the mayor, to carry concealed about his person, any pistol, sling shot, brass or iron knuckle, or other dangerous or deadly weapon.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 3, § 1, Ridgefield Town Council (1909)(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 knife (other than an ordinary pocket knife) or dirk, 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 in a shooting gallery duly licensed) who shall, within the town limits fire off or discharge any gun, pistol or fire arm of any kind, except by permit from the mayor or any bomb, shall be deemed and are disorderly persons, and guilty of a misdemeanor.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 1492, §§ 1-5, Olympia City Council (1917)(1917)It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, to purchase any gun, pistol, firearm or other deadly weapon, or any ammunition or explosive of any kind or character, without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the Chief of Police of the City of Olympia.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 2, §§ 2-3 & 7, Soap Lake Town Council (1919)(1919)That it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or other dangerous weapon, at any place within the incorporated limits of the Town of Soap Lake.It shall be unlawful for any person to carry any firearm or other dangerous weapon, or to exhibit, flourish or to use the same in any manner having a tendency to put any other person in terror or fear; upon any of the public highways or other public places within the incorporated limits of the Town of Soap Lake...Item type:Item, Tacoma Revised Charter and Ordinances 800-03 (1905)(1905)Ordinance No. 2284, § 1: 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 Chief of Police) 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 persons. All persons (except peace officers as aforesaid) who shall draw, exhibit or attempt to use any deadly weapon upon, to or against another person within said City 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 City limits fire off or discharge any gun or pistol or firearm of any kind, or bombItem type:Item, Ordinance No. 25, §§ 1-3, Lamont Town Council (1911)(1911)It shall be unlawful for any person except officers of the Law, Police Officers and other persons whose duty it is to execute process or warrants or make arrests, to carry upon his person any concealed weapon, consisting of either a revolver, pistol, or other fire-arm, or any knife, (other than an ordinary pocket knife), or any dirk, dagger, sling-shot, or metal knuckles, or any instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 4, §§ 5 & 10, Leavenworth Town Council (1906)(1906)It shall be unlawful for any person or persons within the corporate limits of said Town, to discharge or cause to be discharged any Pistol, Gun, or other firearm or firearms, loaded with leaden or other misle at any time, under any circumstances, within the corporate limits of said town, excepting officers of the law in the discharge of their duties, or in necessary and urgent defense of person or property. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons within the corporate limits of said town, to carry on or about the person any concealed pistol, revolver, dirk, bowie-knife, billy, slung-shot, metal knuckles, or other dangerous or deadly weapon or weapons of any kind, excepting only officers of the law in the discharge of their duties; and any person or persons so offending shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to the penalty hereinafter provided.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 13, §§ 1 & 7, Othello Town Council (1911)(1911)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 Chief of Police) 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 in§jury 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 within 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 gal§lery, duly licensed) who shall in the town limits fire off or discharge any gun or pistol or firearm of any kind, or bomb...Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 97, §§ 1-4, Town Council of Stanwood (1918)(1917)It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, give or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years any revolver, pistol or toy-pistol within the town of Stanwood.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 7, §§ 1, 6, 11, & 20, Selah Town Council (1919)(1919)Any person in said Town except police officers and other persons authorized by law or have obtained proper authority so to do from the proper officer of said Town, 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 Town except police officers and other persons whose duty it is to make arrests 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 Town 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 Town LimitsItem type:Item, Ordinance No. 408, §§ 10, 11, 28, & 29, Anacortes City Council (1909)(1909)Every person, except a peace officer, who shall within the city of Anacortes, have concealed upon his person or who shall furtively carry, or conceal any dagger, dirk, knife, pistol, or other dangerous weapon shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Every person who shall within the city of Anacortes, manufacture, sell or dispose of or have in his possession any instrument or weapon of the kind known as slung shot, sand club or metal knuckles, excepting a peace officer, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor... Any person who shall within the city of Anacortes sell or give or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen years any revolver, pistol, or toy pistol, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who shall within the city of Anacortes discharge any firearms, gun, cannon, pistol, air gun, bomb, or other dangerous explosive without having first obtained the written permission of the mayor thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 260, § 5, Colfax City Council (1902)(1902)It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the city of Colfax to discharge any fire arms, bomb or cannon fire cracker ,or to shoot any sling shot, or to flourish or exhibit any dangerous weapon in any manner that will cause terror to the people passing, or exhibit in a rude, angry, or threatening manner in a crowd of two or more persons, any pistol, bowie knife, or other dangerous weapon.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 758, §§ 1-2, Ellensburg City Council (1919)(1919)It shall be unlawful, for any person to manufacture, sell or dispose of, or have in his possession, any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung-shot, sand club, or metal knuckles; or to fertively carry or conceal any dagger, dirk, knife, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or to use any contrivance or devise for suppressing the noise of any firearm.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 4, §§ 3-5, Granite Falls Town Council (1904)(1904)Any person who shall in the usual walks of life, within the limits of the town of Granite Falls, carry any deadly weapon concealed about his person shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not more than twenty nor less than two dollars and costs of prosecution which costs shall be a part of the fine.Any person except a peace officer in the discharge of his duties who shall draw, exhibit or attempt to use any deadly weapon within the corporate limits of the town of Granite Falls upon, to, or against another person shall upon conviction thereof, be fined in any sum not more than fifty nor less than ten dollars, and the costs of prosecution, which costs shall be a part of the fine, or imprisonment in jail not more than twenty five, nor less than five days or by both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court. Any person, except a peace officer in the discharge of his duties, who shall within the corporate limits of the Town of Granite Falls fire or discharge any gun, pistol or any other fire-arms, or who shall fire or explode any firecrackers, bombs, torpedeos, or any other explosive without first obtaining permission from the town council shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding Twenty dollars and the costs of prosecution which costs shall be a part of the fine.Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 7, § 1, Bucoda Town Council (1910)(1910)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 person any concealed weapon, consisting of either a revolver or other firearm or any knife, (other than ordinary pocket knife) or any dirk or dagger, sling shot or metal knuckles, or any instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person. All persons (except police officers as aforesaid) who shall draw, exhibit or attempt to use any deadly weapon upon, to or against another person in said town (excepting in necessary defence of person or property) with intent to bodily injure to such person. All persons (except police officers aforesaid and persons practicing at target shooting in a shooting gallery, duly licensed) who shall upon any of the public streets of this town, fire off or discharge any gun, pistol or firearm of any kind, or any bombItem type:Item, Ordinance No. 5, § 1, Kahlotus Town Council (1907) (Kahlotus, Washington).(1907)All persons (except Police Officers and other persons whose duty it is to execute or process warrants or make arrests) who shall carry upon their persons any concealed weapon, consisting of revolver, pistol or other fire-arm (except by a written permit from the Town Marshall) or any knife (other than an ordinary pocket knife), metal knuckles or any dirk or dagger or sling shot or any instrument by the use of which injury can be afflicted upon any 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 any such person. All persons (except Peace Officers as aforesaid and persons practicing at target shooting in shooting gallery duly licensed) who shall within the town limits fire off and discharge any gun, pistol or firearm of any kind, or bomb."Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 10, § 5, Lamont Town Council (1910)(1910)It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the Town of Lamont to discharge any fire arms, bomb or cannon fire cracker, or to shoot any sling shot, or to flourish or exhibit any dangerous weapon in any manner that will cause terror to the people passing, or exhibit in a rude, angry or threatening manner in a crowd of two or more persons, any pistol, bowie knife, or other dangerous weapon.Item type:Item, 1935 Wash. Sess. Laws 599(1935)Ch. 172, §§ 1-4: 'Short Firearm' as used in this act means any firearm with a barrel less than twelve (12) inches in length.If any person shall commit or attempt to commit a crime of violence when armed with a pistol, he may in addition to the punishment provided for the crime, be punished also as provided by this act. No person who has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of a crime of violence, shall own a pistol or have one in his possession or under his control.Item type:Item, 1935 Wash. Sess. Laws 599-601(1935)Ch. 172, § 8: No person shall deliver a pistol to any person under the age of twenty-one or to one who he has reasonable cause to believe has been convicted of a crime of violence, or is a drug addict, an habitual drunkard, or of unsound mind."Item type:Item, Ordinance No. 8, Div. 1, §§ 4-5 & Div. 3, § 1, Arlington Town Council (1903)(1902)Whoever shall, within the town of Arlington, carry or wear under his or her clothes, or conceal about the person, any dangerous or deadly weapon, shall be fined in any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days, or be both fined and imprisoned.Whoever shall, within the town, draw any species of fire arms, or any dirk, dagger, knife or other dangerous or deadly weapon on the person of another, shall be subject to a fine of not less than five dollars, and not exceeding one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days, or be both fined and imprisoned. Whoever shall fire or discharge any cannon, gun, pistol, revolver or any fire arm of any description, or shall fire or explode, or set off any squib, fire cracker, torpedo or other thing containing powder or other explosive material, without permission from the town marshall or town council so to do, within the corporate limits. Provided that such permission, when given, shall definitely limit the time of such firing and may at any time be revoked; but nothing in this section shall prevent the ordinary and usual fire works demonstration on national holidays, subject, however, to such regulations, control and order as the marshal may deem proper to make for the protection of property from fire."Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 98(1909)Ch. 54-Protecting Game on Lake Washington, §§ 1-3: That it shall be unlawful to fire any gun or to kill, shoot, entrap, ensnare, maim, or destroy any wild birds at any season of the year upon the waters of Lake Washington, or within one mile of its shores, and any person who shall kill, shoot, entrap, ensnare, destroy, or maim any wild birds at any season of the year upon the waters of Lake Washington, or within one mile of the shores of said lake, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as hereinafter provided.Item type:Item, 1935 Wash. Sess. Laws 599-601(1935)Ch. 172, §§ 5-7: No person shall carry a pistol in any vehicle or conceal on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a license therefor as hereinafter provided.Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 984(1909)Ch. 249, Subchapter 8-Crimes against the Public Peace, §§ 307-308: Every person who shall aim any gun, pistol, revolver or other firearm, whether loaded or not, at or towards any human being, or who shall wilfully discharge any firearm, air gun or other weapon, or throw any deadly missile in a public place, or in any place where any person might be endangered thereby, although no injury result, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.No minor under the age of fourteen years shall handle or have in his possession or under his control, except while accompanied by or under the immediate charge of his parent or guardian, any firearm of any kind for hunting or target practice or for other purposes. Every person violating any of the foregoing provisions, or aiding or knowingly permitting any such minor to violate the same, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."Item type:Item, 1913 Wash. Sess. Laws 90-91(1913)Ch. 33, § 1: Every person who shall use any sink box or sink boat or sneak boat for the purpose of shooting wild ducks, geese, swan or other water fowl, or who shall use any battery, swivel or pivot gun, or any gun other than one to be held in the hands and fired from the shoulder, at any time, for the purposes of shooting wild ducks, geese, swan, brant or other water fowl . . . shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as hereinafter provided.Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 980(1909)Ch. 249, Subchapter 8-Crimes against the Public Peace, § 294: It shall not be lawful for any body of men other than Armed the National Guard or troops of the United States, to associate themselves together as a military company with arms, without the consent of the Governor; but members of social and benevolent associations are not prohibited from wearing swords. Every person who shall associate with others in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 965, 977-78(1909)Ch. 249, Subchapter 7-Crimes against Public Health and Safety, § 283: Every proprietor, lessee or occupant of any place of amusement, or any plat of ground or building, who shall allow it to be* used for the exhibition of skill in throwing any sharp instrument or in shooting any bow gun, pistol or firearm of any description, at or toward any human being, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.Item type:Item, 1933 Wash. Sess. Laws 335-36(1933)Ch. 64, §§ 1-5: Prohibited manufacturing, owning, buying, selling, loaning, furnishing, transporting, or possessing a machine gun.Item type:Item, 1911 Wash. Sess. Laws 303(1911)An Act Relating to the Carrying of Firearms, Requiring Licenses of Certain Persons, and Fixing a Penalty for the Violation Thereof, ch. 52, § 1: Required noncitizens to receive a license from the state auditor, upon a certificate from the consul of the individuals' country of origin and payment of a fee, before noncitizen can possess a firearm.Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 965, 966-67(1909)Ch. 249, Subchapter 7-Crimes against Public Health and Safety, §§ 252 & 254: Every person who shall make or keep any explosive or combustible substance in any city or village, or carry it through the streets thereof in a quantity, or manner prohibited by law, or by ordinance of such municipality; and every person who, by careless, negligent or unauthorized use or management of any such explosive or combustible substance, shall injure or cause injury to the person or property of another, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.Every person who shall put up for sale, or who shall deliver to any warehouseman, dock, depot, or common carrier any package, cask or can containing benzine, gasoline, naptha, nitroglycerine, dynamite, powder or other explosive or combustible substance, without having printed thereon in a conspicuous place in large letters the word "Explosive," shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 973(1909)An Act Relating to Crimes and Punishments and the Rights and Custody of Persons Accused or Convicted of Crime, and Repealing Certain Acts, ch. 249, ch. 7, §266, pts. 1-3: Prohibited the setting of any trap, spring pistol, rifle, or other deadly weapon. Punishable by imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of up to $1,000. Further punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years for non-fatal or fatal injuries resulting from the trap.Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 972-73(1909)Ch. 249, § 265: Prohibited manufacturing, selling, disposing of, or possessing any slung-shot, sand club, or metal knuckles. Also prohibited the concealed carry of any dagger, dirk, knife, pistol, or other dangerous weapon. Prohibited use of suppressors. Punishable as a gross misdemeanor.Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 929, 931-33(1909)Ch. 249, Subchapter 5-Crimes against the Person, §§ 142 & 151: Every person who shall fight or participate in, as second or assistant, any duel within this state, in which any person is killed, or who, by previous appointment made within this state, shall fight or participate in, as second or assistant, any duel out of the state, in which any person is killed, shall be guilty of murder in the second degree; and, in the latter case, may be proceeded against in any county in this state...Every person who shall make or keep gun powder, or any other explosive substance, in a city or village, in any quantity or manner prohibited by law or by ordinance of such municipality, if an explosion thereof shall occur whereby the death of a human being is occasioned, shall be guilty of manslaughter."Item type:Item, 1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 942, 947(1909)Ch. 249, Subchapter 6-Crimes against Morality, Decency, etc., §193, no. 4: Every person who Shall sell, or give, or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen years, any revolver, pistol, or toy pistol Shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.