As Washington leads the way in gun violence prevention, it is critical that we continue to advocate for innovative, evidence-based, common-sense policies that save lives.
We’re working to make sure this legislative session we continue our success in passing more life saving policies including the implementation of a permit to purchase system. We’ll be updating this page regularly as bills move throughout the legislature. Check back here or sign up for our email list to stay informed.
Important dates
- Monday, January 13: First Day of Session
- Friday, February 21: Policy Committee Cutoff (House of Origin)
- Friday, February 28: Fiscal Committee Cutoff (House of Origin)
- Wednesday, March 12: House of Origin Floor Cutoff
- Wednesday, April 2: Policy Committee Cutoff (Opposite House)
- Tuesday, April 8: Fiscal Committee Cutoff (Opposite House)
- Wednesday, April 16: Opposite House Floor Cutoff
- Sunday, April 27: Sine Die
- Monday, April 28 – Saturday, May 17: Governor’s Bill Action Period
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(Is the Policy Agenda not showing up correctly? Click here to view in a separate tab)
Firearm purchaser licensing laws, also known as permit-to-purchase, enhance existing background check systems by requiring individuals to obtain a license before buying a firearm. Ten states and Washington DC have a permit-to-purchase system established, many of them including essential elements like in-person fingerprinting, an enhanced background check, proof of firearms training, and annual rechecks for permit holder’s eligibility. Studies show that states with permit-to-purchase laws have reduced firearm diversion for crimes and have lower rates of homicide, mass shootings, suicide, and police-involved shootings.
Washington has already implemented a ten-day waiting period and a training requirement for all firearm purchases, which are common components of a robust permitting system. It’s time for Washington to build on this progress by passing the permitting component which will require fingerprinting, live-fire safety training, and an in-depth background check. In addition to ensuring that purchasers are trained in the proper safe handling of firearms, these provisions will help make certain that people who are prohibited from owning guns are quickly and consistently identified, and won’t be able to purchase a firearm. Importantly, this bill also requires an annual recheck on permits conducted by Washington State Patrol (WSP), so that if a person becomes ineligible to purchase or own firearms the permit is not still usable.
Permit to Purchase (HB 1163 / SB 5140) will:
– Require individuals to obtain a permit prior to purchasing firearms. Applicants must submit a completed application, fingerprints, proof of certified firearms safety training within the last five years, and the applicable fee to the WSP Firearms Background Check Program.
– Requires the WSP Firearms Background Check Program to conduct comprehensive background checks using federal, state, and relevant databases to determine firearm eligibility.
– Requires WSP to certify firearm safety training programs and specifies they include, among other requirements, live-fire exercises demonstrating safe handling and shooting proficiency.
– Requires WSP to annually verify that permit holders remain eligible to purchase and own firearms.
– Establishes procedures for the revocation of a permit to purchase firearms.
Why this matters:
Permitting reduces firearm homicides and suicides:
– Connecticut’s permit-to-purchase law reduced firearm homicides by 28% and suicides by 33%, while Missouri’s repeal of a similar law led to a 47% increase in firearm homicides and a 24% increase in firearm suicides.
– Research shows that if Washington had adopted a permit-to-purchase law when Connecticut did in 1995, there would have been an estimated 1,205 fewer gun deaths in Washington over the first 10 years of implementation.
– A study of licensing laws across 80 large urban counties found that these laws are associated with an 11% decrease in firearm homicides.
– Prevents mass shootings: States with permit-to-purchase laws that require an in-person application or fingerprinting have 56% fewer fatal mass shootings.
– Keeps Law Enforcement safe: States that have permit-to-purchase laws see fewer police shot in the line of duty with handguns.
HB 1163 / SB 5140 Permit to Purchase (Rep. Berry / Sen. Liias) will reduce the amount of firearm deaths in Washington state. By establishing systems to complete a thorough background check, provide annual re-checks, and implement adequate firearms training, we are ensuring firearms are only purchased and used by responsible Washingtonians.
We know that the presence of a firearm greatly increases the risk of violence. Washington State can help make our communities safer by creating risk-based restrictions on firearms in sensitive places, and allowing local governing bodies to best identify locations where firearms should be prohibited. Last year, the legislature took a critical step forward by restricting firearms in libraries, aquariums, transit centers, and zoos. This bill builds on this process by prohibiting possession of a firearm in neighborhood or regional parks, state and local public buildings, and county fair grounds.
Washington State has already taken some important steps by restricting firearms in places like schools, childcare centers, bars and during protests and demonstrations. Last year, the Legislature passed SB 5444 which extended restrictions to other sensitive places, like libraries, aquariums and zoos. Over the past several years, a number of empirical studies have shown that crime is higher when more people carry firearms in public places. Since 1966, the overwhelming majority—nearly 90%—of all mass shootings resulting in six or more deaths have occurred wholly or partly in locations where civilian guns were allowed or there was armed security or law enforcement present. The presence of a firearm has the potential to increase the lethality of otherwise mundane situations – this risk is heightened in parks and other public places where children are present because of the additional risk that a child will access a firearm and unintentionally harm themselves or other people. States that have relaxed their firearm laws to allow firearms in most places have, according to one study, seen crime increase substantially —13 to 15 percent higher—10 years after the laws were adopted than it would have been, had those states not adopted those laws.
SB 5098 Proposes to Extend Restrictions to the Following Locations:
– The premises of a neighborhood or regional park facility where children and youth are likely to be present. Cities, towns, counties, or other municipalities must designate the park facilities within its boundaries where children are likely to be present and post appropriate signage to notify the public that weapons are prohibited. These locations can include – but are not limited to – playgrounds, sports fields, swimming or wading pools, community centers, and skate parks.
– State or Local government buildings. This includes buildings or parts of buildings owned or leased by the federal government, where federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties. Examples include federal courthouses, Social Security offices, and certain areas within VA hospitals. Typically, states prohibit guns completely or partially in places where the presence of guns is particularly dangerous, such as where people consume alcohol, where tensions can flare, such as at sporting events or airports, or where there is a high danger that the presence of guns might chill First Amendment rights, such as at polling places and legislative buildings.
– The premises of county fairs and county fair facilities during the hours of operation in which the fair is open to the public, with an exception established for gun shows.
