Am I Really Allowed to Open Carry My Firearm in Washington State?

Washington Gun Law President, William Kirk, discusses the law of open carry of a firearm in Washington State. We discuss the laws surrounding open carry and the many geographical restrictions placed on lawful and responsible gun owners by various statutes. We also discuss the manner in which you can and cannot open carry a firearm.
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[beargillium]

I've never understood how CCW laws aren't the clearest violation of the FOURTH amendment, without any regards to the second...

[LethallFruit]

Thank you very much, very insightful . Bought a pistol recently for self protection for myself and significant other and I never got a clear answer on what was okay and what wasn't . Very appreciated !

[anglishoutlander]

If I am hiking in Washington state with a pistol, that has a magazine above a capacity of 10 rounds that was obtained before the ban, can I still open carry that pistol? (as a non resident who is visiting)

[l.marcadella]

Oh I remember the days where you use to record your videos with a potato and with a "hostage" microphone. Love your content man, just giving you a hard time.

[bitterman]

I’ll never forget in seattle seeing a guy in a cowboy hat open carrying his single action army at mcdonalds 😂 god bless em

[adub]

30 years LEO here. First, thanks for the video. A lot of great info. Having rubbed elbows with the less than savory for three decades as a Cop open carry is not something I choose to do. The absolute last thing I want a crook to know is I am strapped. Sure, the sight of someone wearing a pistol might scare away some lower offenders but in my opinion it makes you a target for the hardcore crooks. I saw a pic of a guy wearing a pistol stuck in his belt at a Subway. As he is concentrating on whether he wants his sandwich toasted or not a hardcore armed felon could come in, see the gun and think he is has entered a bonus round. Not only does he get the register money, he gets a gun as a bonus. Those of you who think they can pull and beat an armed suspect already pointing a gun at you are in a dream world.

The second crook is the one who sees you carrying and follows you. Eventually you get to a place you can’t open carry and you have to leave your piece in the car. As you are getting your FroYo with sprinkles the crook breaks into you car and takes your gun.

Carrying a firearm is about personal and weapon security. The less people who know you have a gun the better. Open carry takes away your ability to surprise an assailant and lets the bad guys know where there is a gun to steal. In this old Law Dog’s opinion, if you are willing to degrade you own safety by displaying a weapon just to “own the Libs” you are in effect shooting yourself in the foot.

[Quotesxz]

we need schools to fully educate students about the 25 functioning US Constitution Amendments. for our future and our kids future. In school we learned not even half of it.

[dodgecityvanlife]

These are great videos. No nonsense, and to the point.

[fcajas]

I think it's important to include casinos in the restricted list since we do have a good amount of them in PNW(which yes are part of liquor control). Some casino establishments have attached hotels and some of the casino/hotels consider the hotel part of the casino and don't allow Firearms. Example- The Angel of the Winds casino/hotel does not allow Firearms in either sections. But Tulalip Resort and Casino do offer a safe that is outside of your room but that is accessed only by Casino Security (under specific watch by control) at the request of the hotel side for storage if a long gun/handgun. You can store handguns and ammunition in your hotel room. There was never a minimum or max amount of ammo or number of firearms discussed while I was working at that property. Of course this was meant for the hotel guests specifically but I have seen a casino guest voluntarily give his EDC for storage while he gambled, which they gladly stored it for them. They were escorted to the safe and in Clear view of control and while unholstering it, removing mag and keeping pointed at the ground. They allow you to unchamber and allow you to put into the safe.

[wreckinball]

Wow, your new videos are so much better quality.

[MarianaOrtiz-juqm]

thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

[MrRdvs]

This video is a few years old but moving every few years, I always have to research reciprocity and legal methods of carry. Luckily, I carry primarily on a Florida license and even more luckily, most of the country allows concealment and OC with no permit. That said, I’ve acquired licenses from multiple states to get over the hump posed by reciprocity problem children like WA. The specific answer to crack the nut of WA is UT, which I keep current just in case I have to move there or somewhere that license has an advantage over my primary license for a few years.

[brianengle]

What about open carrying in the countryside on public lands — like national/state parks/forests… in the past, I’ve encountered armed people on the pacific crest trail and enchantment lakes trail out of Leavenworth. Holstered in all cases. Didn’t bother me, but I rather imagine some would get pretty freaked these days if they encountered a lone hiker with a 10mm in a cross-draw chest holster for example. There are times I’ve wanted to carry an 1895 carbine on hikes for the hell of it, but haven’t just to avoid any weirdness with people or even with rangers who might take issue with something. When I hike now, I always carry concealed (with CPL) for this reason, but it is a pain because the center chest holster is the most convenient carry mode when running a frame pack.

I’d also add that I have >10 round pistol mags purchased before the ban, but I’m hesitant to hike with them for fear of a law enforcement officer or ranger raking me over the coals. Does a person have to dredge up and have the receipts on hand to prove they’re legit? Or is that only scrutinized in the context of buying or selling the magazines. I avoid the whole thing by running <=10 round mags, but it would be nice to know the score.

[jessmcdaniels]

Very helpful… Thank you. I knew about the auto and children and governing areas. The others are also good to know.

[kingfalejandro]

I open carry because it takes over 7 months to get a CPL in Washington, yea it makes people uncomfortable but I dont care, i dont have a choice

[the_rabbitt]

Im a bit confused about this. So if my old neighbor lady sees me open carry and im completely safe and never touch it. If shes scared i can get in trouble with the law? Seems kinda messed up. Like how can you be safe open carrying if any random person who sees it can decide whether or not its illegal?

[activemanishere]

I think it is extra important we do things like open carry in places where we know residents are extra sensitive. They need to get comfortable with the fact that open carry is lawful. And quite frankly, f&$% their feelings. I won't change my behavior for their feelings and I shouldn't be asked to. If the store we are in gets robbed I will happily save their life the way I would my own daughter so I really don't care if my gun scares them.

[phillipsnyder]

Thanks, for the video. Question. You didn't address whether or not you can Open Carry (loaded) in a public place. thanks

[athenasblueprint]

Thanks for making a video and uploading it to such an accessible platform. Ever since COVID, or even a few years prior, it's been nearly impossible to find information using search engines. The only results I get are anti-gun rhetoric and articles about tragic misuse of firearms. I asked my attorney some simple questions about our local laws a couple years back, and turns out he doesn't support gun use at all so he just told me I'd have to find someone who specializes in this field. Like, my man, you're literally an attorney, turning down my money. So thanks to people like you who actually look out for your people. Hope you're doing well and may the wind be ever at your back.

[brandonlee]

What do you mean it can't be loaded in the vehicle? Like not one in the chamber? Do I have to keep my loaded magazine out of the gun? Or can I not have any rounds in a magazine at all? Just wondering. Thanks.