First pistol - CPL question

[Bowflinger]

I bought a pistol on-line and is being shipped to a gun shop by my house. The question I have is do I need to get a CPL before I pick it up? Or can I just open carry it to my car and leave it on my passenger seat while I head back home.

[wildmanoutdoors]

You have to wait for the check to come back good. Then pick it up and drive home with it just like you said.

[bobcat]

You don't need a CPL at all. Lots of people own handguns and have no CPL, like me. You can carry your handgun in your vehicle, even if it's concealed, as long as it's not loaded. The CPL is only needed if you want to keep it loaded in your car.

[wildmanoutdoors]

My ststement may be wrong. I assume the check is complete before they send it?

[magnanimous_j]

carrying your new gun in it's case and transporting it in your car without a CPL is perfectly legal.

[Bowflinger]

Sweet, thanks for the info guys

[Gamehunter034]

I have only purchased 2 of my handguns from a ffl dealer and both times they asked for my CPL before picking up and leaving. Not sure if thats just for them or legally the law, I can't remember. BTW they were seperate gun shops.

[jackelope]

My ststement may be wrong. I assume the check is complete before they send it?

The check is not done till it arrives at the gun shop. Without a permit it will take 10 days for the check to happen.

[jrebel]

 

And if I am not mistaken the way the law reads you need to have your ammo and gun in "separate" compartments.  Pretty vague, but don't have a loaded magazine lying next to your firearm.  Keep your gun in a case and ammo elsewhere...pocket, glovebox, trunk, etc....just not with the gun. 

[bobcat]

You can have ammo with the gun. It's either loaded, or it's not. Having ammo or even a loaded magazine next to the gun does not make it loaded.

[christopheri]

You can have ammo with the gun. It's either loaded, or it's not. Having ammo or even a loaded magazine next to the gun does not make it loaded.

Correct.

[ELKBURGER]

The background check can take as little as 30 hrs to come back.....as in the case of my wife, through sportsmans, with no CPL.

[jackelope]

The background check can take as little as 30 hrs to come back.....as in the case of my wife, through sportsmans, with no CPL.

For a long gun or a pistol?

[Fisherdave10]

So much weird/wrong information in this thread! 

No, you do not have to have a CPL to purchase a handgun in WA.  If you do not have a CPL, you will have to wait 5 business days after the NICS background check (usually only takes 15 minutes) before the handgun can be released to you. 

If you do have a CPL and show it when purchasing, the mandatory 5 day wait is bypassed.  You can walk out with it as soon as you pass the NICS check and pay for it.  They'll have to record your CPL information on a WA state form during during the background checks.

As for transport in the car without a CPL, keep the firearm unloaded (cased or hidden is preferable) and out of reach.  This might mean in the trunk, or behind your seat. 

If you do have a CPL, you can have it loaded but it cannot be easily/readily accessible to non-CPL holders.

[ELKBURGER]

Pistol.....I was surprised when the guy at the counter said 'we may hear back tomorrow'. And by 4pm the next day my wife got the call and we picked it up. Very painless.....except for paying for the gun of course...

[jackelope]

So much weird/wrong information in this thread! 

No, you do not have to have a CPL to purchase a handgun in WA.  If you do not have a CPL, you will have to wait 5 business days after the NICS background check (usually only takes 15 minutes) before the handgun can be released to you. 

If you do have a CPL and show it when purchasing, the mandatory 5 day wait is bypassed.  You can walk out with it as soon as you pass the NICS check and pay for it.  They'll have to record your CPL information on a WA state form during during the background checks.

As for transport in the car without a CPL, keep the firearm unloaded (cased or hidden is preferable) and out of reach.  This might mean in the trunk, or behind your seat. 

If you do have a CPL, you can have it loaded but it cannot be easily/readily accessible to non-CPL holders.

The 10 day wait I was told I had to wait expired today. I will pick up my weapons tomorrow. I was told 10 days because they had to mail paperwork to my local PD where I live. So it seems maybe it is based on who sells/transfers the guns to you and what they feel like doing for you. I got told I had to wait 10 days, another guy on here had to wait 1.5 days.

[Gamehunter034]

So much weird/wrong information in this thread! 

No, you do not have to have a CPL to purchase a handgun in WA.  If you do not have a CPL, you will have to wait 5 business days after the NICS background check (usually only takes 15 minutes) before the handgun can be released to you. 

If you do have a CPL and show it when purchasing, the mandatory 5 day wait is bypassed.  You can walk out with it as soon as you pass the NICS check and pay for it.  They'll have to record your CPL information on a WA state form during during the background checks.

As for transport in the car without a CPL, keep the firearm unloaded (cased or hidden is preferable) and out of reach.  This might mean in the trunk, or behind your seat. 

If you do have a CPL, you can have it loaded but it cannot be easily/readily accessible to non-CPL holders.

You are right the more I thought about it and looked into it. It was years ago and I couldn't 100% remember. Most of my firearm purchases/trades have been private and it is typical to ask and provide valid CPL and ID to match. Regardless 5-10 days is not that long to have to wait and enjoy the use of awesomeness we call Firearms!! 

[smdave]

So much weird/wrong information in this thread!

You can be delayed up to 30 days in Washington state, sometimes even CPL holders are delayed. Yes usually there is no delay with the CPL and you walk out with the gun.

Without the CPL it can be 1, to 5, to 10 to 15 Etc and sometimes up to 30 days delayed. On day 31 your original paperwork is no good and you have to start over.

The retailer/FFL does not have to release the gun to you until they get the approval from your local LEO office whoever over sees the paperwork for where you live.

[troyspinetar]

Everyone who has a pistol or is planning to get one should just go ahead and get their CPL anyways.   

[sirfunkeybut]

 

Without starting a debate, I would assume that having a gun concealed, loaded or not, would be illegal without having a cpl? You can't carry a concealed weapon in public without having a permit even if it's unloaded and driving down the road in a vehicle doesn't mean you're not in public so why would it be legal?

[jackelope]

My ststement may be wrong. I assume the check is complete before they send it?

The check is not done till it arrives at the gun shop. Without a permit it will take 10 days for the check to happen.

my background check that was supposed to be done by 4/11(10 days) ended up coming back today....17 days later. I'lll try and go get my pistols tomorrow or Friday.
 

[jackelope]

Then I will work on getting my cpl....something I should have done long ago.

[tjthebest]

There are several exceptions to the handguns in your car scenario. It is my belief that if you are coming home from a gun shop then it is legal to have it in your car however you want. I would consider it traveling to/from a recreational spot.

[bobcat]

I have handguns and will never get a CPL. I just don't see the need for it. I also don't agree with the state taxing people just so they can exercise their 2nd amendment rights. How many of you who gladly pay the $60 for your CPL, yet refuse to pay $30 for the Discover pass?

[mulehunter]

Just so you know.

RCW 9.41.050
Carrying firearms.

(1)(a) Except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business, a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol.

     (b) Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer or to any other person when and if required by law to do so. Any violation of this subsection (1)(b) shall be a class 1 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW and shall be punished accordingly pursuant to chapter 7.80 RCW and the infraction rules for courts of limited jurisdiction.

     (2)(a) A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

     (b) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.

     (3)(a) A person at least eighteen years of age who is in possession of an unloaded pistol shall not leave the unloaded pistol in a vehicle unless the unloaded pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

     (b) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.

     (4) Nothing in this section permits the possession of firearms illegal to possess under state or federal law.