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Legal Information: Washington

State Gun Laws

Updated: 
December 15, 2023

Is there anything I can do to make it more likely that the abuser's gun is taken away when I get a protection order?

If you receive a protection order that meets the standards explained in I have a protection order against the abuser. Can s/he keep a gun or buy a new gun?, it should be clear to the abuser and law enforcement that it is illegal for the abuser to have a gun in his/her possession under Washington state law1 and under federal law.

However, even if the order does not meet the all of those requirements, the judge must prohibit the abuser from buying or possessing a gun if the judge believes that the abuser:

  • used, displayed, or threatened to use a gun or dangerous weapon while committing a felony; or
  • previously committed a felony that would make him/her ineligible to buy or own a gun.2

1 R.C.W. § 9.41.040(2)(a)(ii)
2 R.C.W. § 9.41.800(1)

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