What is a transfer?

A firearm transfer, simply speaking, is any transaction where possession of a firearm changes hands, regardless of whether money is exchanged.

Technically, any changing of possession of any item is transferring the item, however, the term “transfer,” when used with firearms, almost always means processing the gun through a licensed FFL dealer to a transferee as part of a firearm transaction.

In Washington State, since Initiative 594 took effect on December 4th, 2014, all firearm sales and transfers require a background check, essentially forcing all transfers to go through a licensed firearms dealer (FFL). There are few exceptions to this requirement, primarily to accommodate temporary transfers or transfers between immediate family members.