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

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240 (2026)

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

✓ current as of May 2026
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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 (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. (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “010 (18 absent judicial approval); purchase semiautomatic rifle, RCW 9.41.240 (age 21); possession of cannabis, RCW 69.”
Tanner Hirschfeld v. ATF (4th Cir. 2021). “13 § 4020; Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.240 (1); W. Va. Code § 61-7 - 10(c); Wyo.”
Tanner Hirschfeld v. ATF (4th Cir. 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 (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 (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 (W.D. Wash. 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 (Wash. Ct. App. 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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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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