Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9 · Chapter 9.41
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240 (2025)

Possession of pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle by person from eighteen to twenty-one

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(1) A person under twenty-one years of age may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person may sell or transfer a semiautomatic assault rifle to a person under twenty-one years of age.
(2) Unless an exception under RCW 9.41.042, 9.41.050, or 9.41.060 applies, a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a pistol only:
(a) In the person's place of abode;
(b) At the person's fixed place of business; or
(c) On real property under his or her control.
(3) Except in the places and situations identified in RCW 9.41.042 (1) through (9) and 9.41.060 (1) through (10), a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a semiautomatic assault rifle only:
(a) In the person's place of abode;
(b) At the person's fixed place of business;
(c) On real property under his or her control; or
(d) For the specific purpose of (i) moving to a new place of abode; (ii) traveling between the person's place of abode and real property under his or her control; or (iii) selling or transferring the firearm in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; provided that in all of these situations the semiautomatic assault rifle is unloaded and either in secure gun storage or secured with a trigger lock or similar device that is designed to prevent the unauthorized use or discharge of the firearm.
[ 2019 c 3 s 13 (Initiative Measure No. 1639, approved November 6, 2018); 1994 sp.s. c 7 s 423; 1971 c 34 s 1; 1909 c 249 s 308; 1883 p 67 s 1; RRS s 2560.]

Notes:

Finding—Short title—Effective dates—Implementation—2019 c 3 (Initiative Measure No. 1639): See notes following RCW 9.41.360.
Finding—Intent—Severability—1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.
Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 7 ss 401-410, 413-416, 418-437, and 439-460: See note following RCW 9.41.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1994–2024 · leading case: Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis, 121 F.4th 96 (10th Cir. 2024).
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Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis, 121 F.4th 96 (10th Cir. 2024). “21 (A)–(B)); Washington ( Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.41.240 ); and Wyoming (Wyo.”
Mitchell v. Atkins, 387 F. Supp. 3d 1193 (W.D. Wash. 2019). · cites it 2× “Section 13 amends RCW 9.41.240 to include the following: "A person under twenty-one years of age may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person may sell or transfer a semiautomatic assault rifle to a person…”
State v. Hernandez-Mercado, 879 P.2d 283 (Wash. 1994). “34 RCW 9.41.240. 35 RCW 9.41.190-.225. 36 RCW 9.”
Mitchell v. Atkins, 483 F. Supp. 3d 985 (W.D. Wash. 2020). · cites it 5× “7, § 423 (codified as amended at RCW 9.41.240). 3 Under I-1639’s Age Provision, the minimum age requirements for purchase of SARs and 4 pistols are identical: a person under 21 “may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault 5 rifle.”
State of Washington v. T.M., No. 35957-3 (Wash. Ct. App. Nov. 7, 2019). “010 (18 absent judicial approval); purchase semiautomatic rifle, RCW 9.41.240 (age 21); possession of cannabis, RCW 69.”
Tanner Hirschfeld v. ATF, No. 19-2250 (4th Cir. July 13, 2021). “13 § 4020; Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240 (1); W. Va. Code § 61-7 - 10(c); Wyo.”
Tanner Hirschfeld v. ATF, No. 19-2250 (4th Cir. July 15, 2021). “13 § 4020; Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240 (1); W. Va. Code § 61-7 - 10(c); Wyo.”
Nat'l Rifle Ass'n v. Swearingen, 545 F. Supp. 3d 1247 (N.D. Fla. 2021). “13, § 4020 ), and Washington ( Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.41.240 ) all restrict the purchase of both handguns and long guns by minors.”
Lara v. Evanchick, 534 F. Supp. 3d 478 (W.D. Pa. 2021). “at 990 (citing RCW 9.41.240(2), 9.41.042, 9.41.060). 16 This long-held tradition of restricting certain firearm rights of 18-to-20-year-olds continues today.”
Mitchell v. Atkins, No. 3:19-cv-05106 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 22, 2019). “124; [and] (8) Each state interest served 7 by the ban on certain purchases of SAR codified at RCW 9.41.240.” Dkt. # 54, Ex. C. 8 Berntsen argues that the Court should grant a protective order because, after performing a 9 reasonable inquiry, Berntsen has determined that DOL…”
State Of Washington v. P. E. P, No. 68694-1 (Wash. Ct. App. Sept. 23, 2013). “A person under 18 may also lawfully possess a firearm in certain circumstances pursuant to RCW 9.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240(1): 1 case
Mitchell v. Atkins, 483 F. Supp. 3d 985 (W.D. Wash. 2020). “7, § 423 (codified as amended at RCW 9.41.240). 3 Under I-1639’s Age Provision, the minimum age requirements for purchase of SARs and 4 pistols are identical: a person under 21 “may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault 5 rifle.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240(2): 2 cases
Lara v. Evanchick, 534 F. Supp. 3d 478 (W.D. Pa. 2021). “at 990 (citing RCW 9.41.240(2), 9.41.042, 9.41.060). 16 This long-held tradition of restricting certain firearm rights of 18-to-20-year-olds continues today.”
Mitchell v. Atkins, 483 F. Supp. 3d 985 (W.D. Wash. 2020). “7, § 423 (codified as amended at RCW 9.41.240). 3 Under I-1639’s Age Provision, the minimum age requirements for purchase of SARs and 4 pistols are identical: a person under 21 “may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault 5 rifle.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240(3): 1 case
Mitchell v. Atkins, 483 F. Supp. 3d 985 (W.D. Wash. 2020). “7, § 423 (codified as amended at RCW 9.41.240). 3 Under I-1639’s Age Provision, the minimum age requirements for purchase of SARs and 4 pistols are identical: a person under 21 “may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault 5 rifle.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240(3)(a): 1 case
Mitchell v. Atkins, 483 F. Supp. 3d 985 (W.D. Wash. 2020). “7, § 423 (codified as amended at RCW 9.41.240). 3 Under I-1639’s Age Provision, the minimum age requirements for purchase of SARs and 4 pistols are identical: a person under 21 “may not purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault 5 rifle.”
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