← Washington firearms laws›Duty to Inform Police
Washington Duty to Inform Police Laws (2026)
Conditional: Washington has no proactive duty to volunteer that you are armed, but every concealed-pistol licensee must have the Concealed Pistol License (CPL) in immediate possession while carrying concealed and must display it to any police officer who demands it (RCW 9.41.050(1)(b)); violation is a class 1 civil infraction, not a crime.
Official source: app.leg.wa.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Duty to Inform Police in states bordering Washington
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- IdahoInfo
Idaho has no statutory duty to inform: Idaho Code § 18-3302, which allows permitless concealed carry statewide for eligible adults 18 and older, contains no provision requiring a carrier to notify an officer or to display the optional license on demand. Licenses are still issued for reciprocity and NICS-exemption purposes.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: legislature.idaho.gov · Full Idaho rule →
- OregonInfo
Oregon has no statutory duty to inform: ORS chapter 166 has no provision requiring a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) holder to notify an officer during a stop, and no display-on-demand statute; ORS 166.292 only requires that the license be carried whenever carrying concealed, and failure to do so is prima facie evidence of non-licensure.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: oregonlegislature.gov · Full Oregon rule →
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