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...