The Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s 2025 Policy Agenda also calls for strengthening dealer accountability laws and protecting community safety program funding

SEATTLE – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility – which has successfully passed three statewide ballot measures and a myriad of gun safety policies through the Legislature – released its 2025 Legislative Agenda today. At the top of the agenda is a proposal to create a Permit-to-Purchase system in Washington state, strengthening dealer accountability, and safeguarding funding for gun violence prevention laws and programs.

Permit-to-Purchase systems help reduce gun trafficking and the diversion of firearms to people who are prohibited by requiring an in-person application for the permit, fingerprint identity verification, an in-depth background check and proof of completion of a firearm safety training program. The permit is good for five years and buyers will still complete an in-person background check when they purchase a firearm to ensure the permit is valid. In addition, the Washington State Patrol will conduct annual eligibility rechecks of permit holders – this process will help ensure firearms are surrendered if a person has become prohibited due to something like a domestic violence conviction or protection order. 

“Permit-to-Purchase laws are proven as the single most effective policy to save lives and reduce gun violence,” said Renee Hopkins, CEO for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “All of our work in Washington over the last decade has been leading to this pivotal moment. We’ve created a strong centralized background check system, passed laws to remove guns from dangerous situations like domestic violence and partnered with law enforcement to ensure thorough and equitable implementation, advocated for funding dedicated to community violence intervention programs – all of these policies together build an infrastructure to support a full permit-to-purchase system. It’s time for Washington to take this strong step forward.”

This life-saving policy has been shown to lead to lower rates of firearm-related death, lower rates of guns diverted to criminals shortly after retail sale, and lower rates of guns exported to criminals in other states. When Connecticut passed a Permit-to-Purchase law, its firearm homicide rate decreased by 28%, and its firearm suicide rate decreased by 33%. Conversely, when Missouri repealed its permit-to-purchase law, its firearm homicide rate increased by 47%, and its firearm suicide rate increased by 24%.

According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, if Washington had adopted a Permit-to-Purchase law when Connecticut did, there would have been an estimated 1,205 fewer gun deaths in Washington over the first 10 years of implementation.

“Over the last decade, Washington has led the way on state-based action to reduce gun violence,” said Rep. Liz Berry (D-36), who will prime sponsor this year’s Permit-to-Purchase bill. “We’ve built a strong gun safety infrastructure with our existing laws. Now, it’s time for Washington to join the dozen other states to pass the life-saving Permit-to-Purchase system.”

The 2025 Policy Agenda also includes strengthening enforcement of existing laws meant to ensure gun dealers follow all regulations and are held accountable when they don’t. Last year, lawmakers passed HB 2118 which created new requirements for gun dealers. Following up on that law, this year lawmakers will consider guidelines for enforcement, including how inspections of licensed dealers should be conducted by law enforcement.

With Washington state facing a massive budget shortfall, it is also critical that we maintain state investments in life-saving community gun violence prevention programs.This includes ensuring the Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention continues to fund community violence intervention programs and authorizing Medicaid to fund programs operating in trauma centers. Additionally, the Alliance will support efforts to restrict firearms in sensitive places, including parks, public buildings, and county fairs, while also advocating for policies that require firearm owners to safely store their weapons. These measures are essential to promoting public safety and reducing the risk of gun violence in our communities.

The full Alliance for Gun Responsibility 2025 Policy Agenda can be found here.