Transferring or Selling Firearms

Commonly referred to as the “gun show loophole,” in 2014, Washington became the first state to enact a law requiring background checks on private sales.  The law requires private buyers and sellers to conduct a firearms transaction through a federally licensed firearm dealer (FFL).  The FFL must process the transaction as if the dealer were selling the firearm from his or her own inventory and comply with all federal and state laws regulating firearms dealers, such as performing the required background check on the purchaser.  To read the entire law click here and here.  

A sale or transfer of a firearm that in violation of this law is a gross misdemeanor upon the first offense.  If an individual has previously been convicted of an illegal transfer, they will be charged with Class C felony for all subsequent offenses.  Each a firearm is considered a violation regardless of the number of “transactions” that took place. 

Washington's Mandatory Background Check Law.

There are some exceptions to this law.  Some transfers between non-licensed sellers and buyers are exempt from the background check requirement including:

  • Bona fide gift transfers between spouses, domestic partners, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, siblings-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, and uncles;
  • Transfers of antique firearms;
  • Transfers to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm so long as the temporary transfer lasts only as long as immediately necessary to prevent such imminent death or great bodily harm. The transferee must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
  • Transfers to certain law enforcement agencies or officers who are acting within the course and scope of their employment or official duties.
  • A transfer to or from a federally licensed gunsmith who receives a firearm solely for the purpose of service or repair.
  • Certain types of temporary transfers such as those between spouses or domestic partners or at a shooting range.
  • Temporary transfers if: (1) the transfer is intended to prevent suicide or self-inflicted great bodily harm; (2) the transfer lasts only as long as reasonably necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm, and; (3) the firearm is not utilized by the transferee for any purpose for the duration of the temporary transfer. 

The FFL may not transfer the firearm to the purchaser until either the purchaser clears the background check or ten business days have elapsed from the date the FFL requested the background check, whichever occurs first.   For transfers of handguns to individuals without valid Washington driver's licenses or state identification card or who have not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive 90 days, the FFL may not deliver the handgun until the transferee passes a background check or 60 days have elapsed since the date of the request, whichever occurs first.

When a Washington resident buys a long gun out-of-state, or sells a long gun to an out-of-state resident, the buyer and seller must follow the procedures of the background checks law.   FFLs may not sell or deliver a handgun to a resident of another state.

Learn More About Mandatory Background Checks for Private Sales Here at Washington Gun Law TV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who You Can Sell or Transfer a Firearm To.

It is critical that if you are selling or transferring a firearm to another individual that they are legally permitted to possess that weapon.  State law forbids many individuals from possessing firearms including:

  • Those previously convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony.
  • Those previously convicted any of the following offenses if it was committed upon a family or household member (domestic violence).
  • Assault in the 4th Degree
  • Coercion, Stalking or Reckless Endangerment
  • Criminal Trespass in the 1st Degree
  • Violation of a No Contact Order or Restraining Order.
  • Currently under a domestic restraining order
  • Having been previously involuntarily committed for mental health treatment.
  • Pending trial, appeal or sentencing for any serious offense as defined by RCW 9.41.045

Federal law also prohibits firearm possession by any individual who:

  • Is under indictment in any court for a crime punishable by imprisonment of a term exceeding one year. (Arrested but not yet convicted).
  • Anyone convicted of a crime punishable by a prison term of at least one year.
  • A fugitive from justice.
  • An unlawful use of or addicted to any controlled substance including marijuana, medicinal or legalized by your state.
  • Anyone adjudicated as mentally defective or has been committed to any mental institution.
  • An illegal alien.
  • Anyone discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions.
  • Anyone who has renounced their United States Citizenship.
  • Anyone subject to a court order restraining the person form harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner, or child of the intimate partner.
  • Anyone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense.

Penalties for Illegal Sales and/or Transfers

Violating this law comes with serious consequences.  A first offense, constitutes a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine.  Any subsequent offense, is charged as a Class C felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  Moreover, each firearm sold or transferred in violation of this law constitutes a separate offense.  The law specifically states:

Notwithstanding the penalty provisions in this chapter, any person knowingly violating RCW 9.41.113 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. If a person previously has been found guilty under this section, then the person is guilty of a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW for each subsequent knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113. A person is guilty of a separate offense for each and every gun sold or transferred without complying with the background check requirements of RCW 9.41.113. It is an affirmative defense to any prosecution brought under this section that the sale or transfer satisfied one of the exceptions in RCW 9.41.113(4).

If you have any questions about the sale or transfer of a firearm, more information can be found at: 

http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.113

Other Resources

U.S. Dept. of Justice Firearm Transaction Record.  https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/4473-part-1-firearms-transaction-record-over-counter-atf-form-53009/download

Washington DOL Pistol Transfer Application.  http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/652001.pdf  

Bearing arms is your right, protecting your family is your responsibility.

In order to truly protect those you love, you must know all your rights, responsibilities and obligations as a gun owner. We have nearly 20 years dealing with firearms matters and the answer to nearly every question you may have is right here.

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