Sell My Gun - Key Points for Washington Gun Sales
- All private gun sales in Washington must be conducted through a licensed dealer.
- Background checks are mandatory for all gun sales.
- Dealers must keep a record of private sales transactions.
- Washington has preemption laws, but local regulations may apply in certain circumstances.
- You can quickly sell your gun and get a quote right now with Cash for Arms.
How to Legally Sell My Gun in Washington
You can sell firearms legally in Washington in two ways:
- You can sell them to an FFL (federally licensed dealer) like Cash for Arms or a local gun shop.
- You can sell them to a private party (a person who isn't an FFL but is legally allowed to own guns), but only if an FFL processes the gun transfer.
We provide the steps for both options below.
How to Sell to Cash for Arms
At Cash for Arms, we offer a hassle-free option for selling your guns.
Why sell your gun to us instead of a private buyer? Here are some reasons:
- Guaranteed sale. No waiting, no worries about buyers backing out.
- High profit potential. Check out our best price guarantee.
- Immediate payment. We can pay you within 24 hours of gun inspection.
- Multiple payment options. It's your call which one you want!
- Legal compliance. We handle all legalities and paperwork.
- Safety. You don't have to meet strangers in risky situations.
- Convenience. No time wasted, no need to wait. You can do it all from home.
- Multiple gun sales. We can buy whole gun collections!
- No haggling. What we offer is what you get. We don't lowball.
Plus, you can sell in just 3 steps. To start, submit your gun to us here!
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Get a FREE Appraisal and Offer
Want to try our service now? It's easy. Just shoot us the details of your gun here!
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How to Sell My Gun Privately in WA
Here are the steps to sell your gun to a private party in Washington State:
Step 1: List or Advertise Your Gun
List or advertise your gun on suitable platforms like ArmsList or GunBroker. Make sure the photos are clear and representative, your description is accurate, and your asking price is fair.
Research the market value of your gun before setting a price.
Step 2: Screen and Meet Buyers
Before meeting in person, try to gauge if the buyer is serious about the purchase. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's okay to decline the sale.
If you're satisfied with the buyer's authenticity and terms, meet them at a local gun shop or FFL to process the transaction.
Step 3: Close the Sale
This ensures compliance with Washington state laws and background check requirements. Here's what to expect:
- Both you and the buyer will need to provide a valid ID.
- The FFL will run a background check on the buyer.
- You'll need to fill out some forms.
- There's often a fee for the FFL's services (typically $20-$50).
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Sell the Easier Way
If you can't be bothered to go through a lot of work, try selling guns to us instead! Tell us about your gun here to get an offer.
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Laws for Selling a Gun in Washington
Preemption Laws
Washington has preemption laws, meaning local governments follow the state gun laws. However, there are some exceptions.
Private Sales
Private sales are legal in Washington but must be conducted through a licensed dealer.
Background Checks on Private Sales
Background checks are required for private sales, with some exceptions. An FFL dealer must process the transaction. They’ll do a background check and record the sale.
Purchase Permits
No purchase permit is required for handguns and other long guns. However, since 2019, buyers of semiautomatic rifles must show proof of a firearm safety training program. It must be within the last five years.
Reporting the Sale of a Gun
Since private sales must go through an FFL dealer, it’s the dealer who will report the sale to law enforcement within six hours. A copy will also be sent to the State Department of Licensing within seven days.
The dealer must keep the record on their file for not more than six years.
Red Flag Laws
Washington has red flag laws. They let family or law enforcement petition the court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). This removes guns from people deemed a threat. This can show in the buyer’s criminal report if they’re flagged.
You can’t sell a gun to someone who failed a background check.
Waiting Period
Since January 2024, Washington has started requiring a 10-day wait for all gun sales.
Transaction Limits
There are no specific transaction limits on the number of guns that can be bought at one time.
If you want to sell a large amount of guns, however, we would recommend using a liquidation service.
Assault Weapons Ban
Washington joined nine other states in 2023 by banning assault weapons. However, it’s only their sale and production. The state still allows ownership of existing assault weapons.
For example, the law allows inheriting assault weapons and selling them to licensed dealers. It also doesn’t ban law enforcement from buying assault weapons from dealers.
NFA Items
Regular civilians (non-law enforcement) can't own machine guns or short-barreled shotguns after June 30, 1994.
Magazine Capacity Restriction
As of July 1, 2022, Washington has a magazine capacity restriction of 10 rounds.
Safety Device Requirement
Washington gun dealers must offer secure storage devices or trigger locks with every gun sale or transfer to prevent unauthorized use.
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Get a Fast Offer
We usually reply to gun sellers within hours. Show us your gun now and see how fast you can get an offer!
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Sell Your Firearm in WA Today
Selling a gun in Washington requires navigating legal and safety rules. Prioritize compliance and your security throughout.
This guide should have helped with that. If you plan to sell to us but have more questions before you show us your gun, you can contact us at (904) 977-5477.