Voluntary Do-Not-Sell

(Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights)

In Washington State, three in every four firearm deaths are suicides. Access to firearms triples the risk of suicide. Empathetic conversation about firearm safety and mental health is associated with more people using safe gun storage, reducing the risk of preventable injury and death. 

Three critical interventions are available to support an individual in crisis:

  • Voluntary Do-Not-Sell (Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights)
  • Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)
  • Safe Storage

Washington State’s Voluntary Do-Not-Sell law allows individuals to voluntarily and confidentially restrict immediate access to firearm purchases.

The Voluntary Do-Not-Sell (Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights) law is a firearm safety and suicide prevention strategy to keep you and your family safe.

In Washington state, an individual who is concerned about suicidal thoughts may voluntarily ask to be put on a Do-Not-Sell list used during the background check process.

  • Mental health crises can impact anyone, and many suicide attempts are impulsive. In Washington State, three in every four firearm deaths are suicides. Suicide attempts using firearms are nearly always lethal, with no “second chance” to get needed help.
  • By being proactive about access to a firearm, you can protect yourself and loved ones from firearm injury or suicide.

This request is fully reversible, and may happen in consultation with your medical provider. The goal is to reduce suicide risk by voluntarily and confidentially restricting immediate access to firearm purchase.

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

  1. Individual files a Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights form at a Washington State county clerk’s office (a photo ID is required).

  2. Information is submitted to national database to restrict firearm purchases.

  3. Individual can remove their name after a week at the same county clerk’s office where they originally filed. At that time, all documentation is destroyed.

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

The Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights law stops impulsive firearm purchases at a time when you or a loved one feels actively suicidal.

This decision can be easily reversed by the individual when it is no longer needed.

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: CALL 9-1-1

  • Use the Voluntary Do-Not-Sell (Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights) law to confidentially restrict immediate access to firearm purchase, stopping impulsive suicide attempts. Forms may be accessed at: courts.wa.gov/forms
  • King County Crisis Connections focuses on serving the emotional and physical needs of individuals. They can be reached by calling 2-1-1 or visiting crisisconnections.org
  • In emergencies, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or call/text 9-8-8. For more information, visit: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about critical Firearm Interventions and Voluntary Do-Not-Sell — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!

This web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. No physician-patient relationship is created by this web site or its use. Neither HIPRC, the University of Washington, nor its employees, nor any contributor to this web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.