Yes, it does attract attention. GOOD attention. The possession of a valid CPL marks you as one of the "good guys".

Trust me on this one.

How do you figure that buying a pistol without a CPL draws less attention from the state than buying a pistol with a CPL?

That's my reasoning. $55? Take my money.

I do love that they keep adding waiting periods and lists..........which of course both infringe (USA) and impair (WA).

$55 for 5 years is less than 3 coffees a year ...

Renewal are even less so someone making a monetary argument here is remarkably frugal.

Whether CPL or not upon purchase the same info is provided to ATF and state. Not having a CPL only increases aggravation - can't even think of a downside.

CPL lets you carry loaded in the car.
CPL lets you not worry about how you dress. It's cold, I throw on a jacket=OK I go in a store it's warm, I take off my jacket=OK.
CPL lets me take my pistol home the same day, and not have to start a thread on "where's my gun?".

I don't like it that we have to have a CPL, but when I look at other states I realise we have it pretty good here.
ATF says that if you have a current CPL for your state, you don't have to fill out a 4473 (WA state says otherwise).

I've had a CPL since they were called Concealed Weapon Pemits and consisted of a typed statement on an 8-1/2 X 11 sheet of paper that gave you permission to carry and was signed by the Sheriff. Got my first in 1967 when I came home from overseas. Have had one continuously since then and have received absolutely NO additional attention from the State, State Troopers, Sheriff's Deputies, or City Cops.

Whenever I got stopped I showed them the permit and told them I was armed. Never got pulled out of my vehicle, had my weapon seized, or handcuffed.

When I showed my "Permit" every single "officer" handed it back and told me to "just leave the firearm where it was".


Of course I didn't start out by shouting at the officer "why the %^#% are you stopping me and why aren't you out chasing real criminals". Extra attention usually is the result of having a pissy attitude from the get go.

Almost all of my traffic stops were due to my exceeding the 55 mph speed limit and overall I would say that the ration of warnings to tickets was around 8 to 1. Polite pays more often than not and also avoids "additional attention".


Get a CPL and avoid the hassles. Makes a pistol purchase a "stop and go" experience. I take longer deciding what to buy than the amount of time for "processing". BTW, I avoid Walmart like the plague for firearm purchases and have only purchased ONE firearm from Cabela's. I'll pay more before I go back there and waste half a day standing around while 7 different people "stroke" the 4473 process.

Your info is sent to the local cleo and then the dol gets a copy
. Your on a list anyway,get your cpl!.

Better make sure that delay doesn't come back as a deny. Then the $55 for a CPL really would be a waste of money, huh?

I meant additional attention from cops when I'm pulled over--since the CPL is tied to the DL.

I don't care about future waiting times either because this is the only non-C&R handgun I plan on buying.

Thigh drop holster, coats with slits on the side, I got it down fam

Have had a CWP/CPL in WA since the early 80's.
Never been asked if I had a gun when pulled over.

Except by a game warden doing a random roadside check.

This explains everything.

I'm surprised how hard you guys tow the CPL line. Even if I had one, that's not necessarily guarantee of no wait. And like I said, I won't be a WA resident very much longer so it's a waste of money in my case.

FYI powderman is a police officer. That guy that told you "it helps us know who the good guys are" he's a cop.

Tow the line huh? Your split side jacket drapes over your tactical drop leg thigh rig when you sit down. Bam! Unlawfully concealing a deadly weapon. You're a felon.

Maybe we're just trying to help you. Fam.

Easy people’s. She’s made it abundantly clear that she does NOT want a CPL. It seems as she is rather educated on the matter too.

Are you guys hoping this will be the argument on the internet that can be won? Have you ever won an argument on the net? Have you ever won an argument with a woman? Combine those two and you think you have a chance in hell?!