Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Federal law prohibits a person with a felony conviction from possessing modern firearms unless the conviction has been set aside, the subject of a pardon or the offender has had all civil rights restored AND has no other restrictions on possessing firearms under the laws of the convicting jurisdiction.

As long as you are not on parole or subject to court ordered conditions of supervision that prohibit the possession of weapons, you can possess archery/crossbow equipment. While the federal gun control act does not cover muzzleloaders (guns loaded through the muzzle; not all black powder weapons are exempt), the definition of firearm under Washington state law includes anything that expels a projectile with the use of an explosive; thus, a muzzleloader is a firearm in Washington.

You can lawfully possess a muzzleloader in Washington state IF you obtain an order restoring the right to possess firearms in a superior court. The order must incorporate each felony conviction.