HB 1118
In CommitteeHouse
Firearm rights restoration
Concerning restoration of the right to possess a firearm.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill clarifies and tightens the process for restoring firearm rights in Washington State by permanently banning restoration for people convicted of serious crimes (e.g., class A felonies or sex offenses), while allowing others to petition after meeting strict eligibility criteria—including clean conduct periods, completion of sentencing, and background checks. It also formalizes court and prosecutor procedures and requires standardized forms and victim notification options.
- Bars individuals convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of class A felonies, felony sex offenses, or felonies with a maximum sentence of 20+ years (except certain drug offenses) from ever petitioning to restore firearm rights.
- Allows individuals with other qualifying convictions to petition for restoration after five years (for felonies or specified gross/misdemeanors like domestic violence, stalking, or firearm offenses) or three years (for other non-felony crimes), provided they remained crime-free during that time.
- Requires petitioners to have no pending charges, have completed all sentencing conditions (except non-restitution fines/fees), have no disqualifying prior felony convictions, and be eligible under background check standards at the time of filing.
- Establishes a formal petition process: filing in the appropriate superior court, serving the prosecutor, notifying victims (who may opt out), and requiring the prosecutor to verify eligibility using state and local records—including a Washington State Patrol records check.
- Mandates courts to grant restoration only if all legal requirements are met, and requires the court to send a copy of the restoration order (plus ID info) to the Washington State Patrol within three judicial days.
- Requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to create and distribute standardized petition and order forms by December 30, 2023, and update protection order forms to let victims opt out of notification.
Who is affected
- Individuals with certain serious felony convictions — People convicted of serious crimes (e.g., class A felonies, felony sex offenses, or felonies with 20+ year maximum sentences) are permanently barred from petitioning to restore firearm rights under this bill.
- Individuals with certain non-serious criminal convictions — People with qualifying non-serious felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor convictions (e.g., domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or firearm-related offenses) may petition to restore rights after meeting waiting periods and other requirements.
- Victims of qualifying crimes — Victims of crimes that led to firearm prohibitions may be notified of restoration petitions and can submit statements to the court, but may opt out of receiving such notices.
- Prosecutors and court staff — Prosecuting attorneys and courts must review records, verify eligibility, and notify victims—adding administrative duties but granting legal immunity for good-faith actions.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (4)
Allows individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation to petition for restoration of firearm rights after meeting strict eligibility criteria — this supports second chances and reintegration, consistent with constitutional principles of due process and rehabilitation.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)(ii)Requires prosecutors to independently verify eligibility using state and local records — this improves consistency and reduces arbitrary or politically motivated denials, but increases prosecutorial workload without additional funding.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(d)Grants legal immunity to public officials acting in good faith — this protects public employees from frivolous lawsuits, encouraging participation in the restoration process, but does not meaningfully benefit or burden everyday people.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(6)Requires courts to notify Washington State Patrol within three judicial days of restoration — this improves database accuracy and interagency coordination, but may strain small courts with limited staffing or technology capacity.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(4)
Potential Concerns (5)
Permanently bars individuals convicted of class A felonies, felony sex offenses, or felonies with 20+ year maximum sentences (except certain drug offenses) from ever petitioning to restore firearm rights — this enhances public safety by preventing high-risk individuals from regaining access to firearms, and reflects broad consensus on risk-based firearm restrictions.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)Imposes a five-year waiting period for individuals convicted of serious violent or weapons-related offenses (e.g., domestic violence, stalking, firearm offenses), requiring clean conduct during that time — this reduces recidivism risk and aligns with evidence that extended behavioral stability correlates with lower violence risk.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)(i)Requires law enforcement to verify petitioners are not otherwise prohibited from firearm possession and would pass a background check — this closes potential loopholes and improves accuracy of restoration decisions, reducing risk of firearms falling into prohibited hands.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)(iv)Mandates victim notification and allows victims to submit statements — this empowers victims, supports trauma-informed justice, and ensures courts consider victim perspectives, which research shows improves perceived fairness and reduces retraumatization.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(c), (e), (g)Requires courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop standardized forms and update protection order forms — while modest in cost, this adds administrative burden to local courts and may strain already-stretched court staff, especially in rural counties with limited resources.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5)
Who Is Most Affected
Individuals with serious violent or weapons-related convictions face longer or permanent bars to firearm restoration, limiting their autonomy and reintegration opportunities — though this enhances public safety, it may prolong marginalization for those who have served their sentences.
People with non-serious convictions (e.g., domestic violence, stalking, certain misdemeanors) gain a clearer, more standardized path to restoration after meeting waiting periods — but must navigate complex legal procedures and prove rehabilitation, which can be burdensome without legal assistance.
Victims gain formal rights to be notified and to submit statements, supporting agency and voice in legal proceedings — but opt-out provisions mean some may still be retraumatized by participation, and many lack awareness of how to opt in or out.
Prosecutors and courts face increased administrative duties (record verification, victim notification, form compliance), but gain legal immunity and clearer procedural guidance — small counties may struggle with capacity, while larger jurisdictions may absorb costs more easily.