We’re back with our third episode of Safe Space, our weekly video-podcast with world-class delivery and installation experts. Since 1988, our family-owned and operated business has been selling and delivering safes in the greater Pacific Northwest. Our staff has more than 100 years of combined experience in the gun safe world.
We’re passionate about helping folks protect their loved ones and valuables. And, we like to have a good time. Grab a quick cup of coffee and let’s chat.
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Episode 26 Discussion Topics
1:25: No Tax on Gun Safes in Washington State
3:58: Initiative 1639
7:12: We 100% recommend safe firearm storage.
Episode 26 Discussion Question Synopses
1:25: No Tax on Gun Safes in Washington State
Here in Washington state, there’s a unique benefit that many people don’t realize — if you’re buying a safe to store firearms, you don’t have to pay sales tax.
That’s right. As long as the safe is being delivered within Washington and will be used to secure firearms, it qualifies for this tax exemption. The law went into effect in 1998, and it’s still active today.
It was originally signed into law by Governor Gary Locke and sponsored by Republican legislators who wanted to encourage responsible gun storage. The goal was simple: give people an incentive to lock up their firearms safely.
And it’s not limited to traditional “gun safes.” Any safe or secure storage used for firearms qualifies, including:
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Even Lightweight Locking Cabinets
If it locks and protects a firearm, it’s tax-free.
What’s funny is that for years, some Washington customers would drive all the way to Oregon to avoid sales tax — not realizing they already had that same advantage here at home. All that time and gas money, wasted!
So, before heading out of state to buy a safe, remember: if you live in Washington and plan to use your safe for firearm storage, there’s no sales tax. That’s one reason our Spokane Valley location was built right near the Idaho border — so we could keep offering this tax benefit while serving more customers across the region.
Strategic, smart, and all about helping you save while keeping your firearms secure.
Gun Safes Are Tax-Free.
3:58: Initiative 1639
One of the biggest laws people ask us about is Initiative 1639. It was actually passed in 2018 (not 2016, as was reported in the podcast). This law often gets misunderstood because, if you read the details, it doesn’t have much real enforcement behind it.
In fact, the very last line of the initiative says, “Nothing in this section mandates how or where a firearm must be stored.”
So what does it actually mean?
Essentially, if your firearm isn’t properly secured — whether in a safe or even with a simple gun lock — and someone who’s not authorized to use it gets hold of it and commits a crime, you could be held responsible.
That said, Washington law leaves a lot of this up to the discretion of prosecutors, and our state isn’t exactly known for being gun-friendly. Still, the law doesn’t carry a lot of “teeth.” For example:
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If your gun is stolen and you report it within five days of realizing it’s missing, you can’t be held legally liable if it’s later used in a crime.
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If your firearm was properly stored and someone else uses it in self-defense, you also can’t be held responsible.
When the initiative first passed, a lot of customers came into the store thinking we’d be thrilled — assuming the law would make everyone buy a safe. But that wasn’t the case. In fact, we spent thousands of dollars on radio ads urging people to vote against it.
We strongly believe in safe firearm storage and the products we sell — but we don’t believe the government should mandate how people do it. Ironically, even the law itself doesn’t clearly enforce those rules.
At the end of the day, being a responsible gun owner is what truly matters. Times have changed since our parents’ or grandparents’ generation — when rifles might hang on the wall in a glass cabinet. Back then, firearm theft and property crime weren’t nearly as common.
Today, with constant news coverage and social media, every gun-related accident or tragedy makes headlines. That’s why responsible storage isn’t about laws — it’s about protecting your family, your rights, and your community.
What You Need to Know About Firearm Storage in WA State
The Ins & Outs of Initiative 1639
7:12: We 100% recommend safe firearm storage.
We want people to know that we 100% support and encourage safe firearm ownership and storage — it’s one of the main reasons we’re in business. Our goal has always been to help people protect their firearms and store them responsibly.
It’s unfortunate that our state has had to create mandates around this, but here we are — in Washington state, where safety and responsibility matter. Remember, there’s no sales tax on gun safes used to secure firearms, so it’s a great time to take the necessary steps to keep your guns from being involved in a crime or an accident. Doing so helps make our communities safer for everyone.
If you’d like to learn more about Washington’s firearm storage laws, we recommend checking out Washington Gun Law on YouTube. Bill, the creator, is a leading expert on firearm regulations nationwide and shares some excellent, easy-to-understand videos focused on Washington state. We’ll link a few of his resources below so you can dive deeper.