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SHB 1132

In Committee

House

Bulk firearm purchases

Enhancing public safety by limiting bulk purchases and transfers of firearms and ammunition.

  1. Introduced (completed)
  2. 2
    Committee (current stage)
  3. 3
    Floor Vote (not started)
  4. 4
    Opposite Chamber (not started)
  5. 5
    Governor (not started)
  6. 6
    Signed (not started)

This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.

How does a bill become law?
  1. Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
  2. Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
  3. Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
  4. Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
  5. Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
  6. Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Last Action: January 12, 2026
Status: H Rules R
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AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.
People & CommunitiesBalancedCorporate & Wealthy Interests

This bill restricts how many firearms and ammunition a person can buy from a licensed dealer in a 30-day period—one firearm and 1,000 rounds (or 100 rounds for .50 caliber)—to reduce potential risks from bulk purchases. Violations carry a $500 civil fine, with harsher criminal penalties for repeat offenses. Several exemptions apply for law enforcement, inheritances, and other specific situations.

  • Limits licensed dealers from delivering more than one firearm to a single person in any 30-day period.
  • Limits licensed dealers from delivering more than 1,000 rounds of most calibers (or 100 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition) to a single person in any 30-day period.
  • Creates a $500 civil infraction for first-time violations, with escalating criminal penalties (misdemeanor for second offense, gross misdemeanor for third or more) for repeat violations.
  • Exempts law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, federal officers, licensed collectors, and certain private transfers (e.g., inheritances, returns, dealer exchanges within 30 days).
  • Amends the civil penalty structure in RCW 7.80.120 to include the new bulk purchase limits as a class 1 civil infraction.

Who is affected

  • Firearm and ammunition purchasers — Individuals purchasing firearms or ammunition from licensed dealers will be limited to one firearm and up to 1,000 rounds (or 100 rounds for .50 caliber) per 30-day period, unless an exemption applies.
  • Federal and state-licensed firearms dealers — Licensed firearms dealers must verify and enforce the 30-day purchase limits and may face penalties for violations.
  • Law enforcement and correctional agencies — Law enforcement officers, agencies, and correctional facilities are exempt from the limits when acquiring firearms or ammunition for official duties.
  • Heirs and beneficiaries receiving firearms by inheritance — People inheriting firearms from a deceased owner may receive them without restriction, provided they can prove legal ownership through the estate or trust.
  • Individuals who exceed purchase limits — Individuals who violate the limits may face civil fines ($500 for first offense), and potentially criminal penalties (misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor) for repeat violations.
Fiscal impact: The bill creates a new civil infraction with a $500 default fine for first-time violations; repeat violations may result in criminal penalties (misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor), which could increase court and law enforcement costs. The state may incur administrative costs to implement and enforce the limits.
Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 19, 2026, 6:32 PM

Pro/Con Analysis

Potential Benefits (5)

  • Protects inheritance rights and family succession of firearms without triggering regulatory penalties — aligns with Washington’s recognition of property rights in RCW 11.62 and RCW 11.04, and avoids criminalizing passive receipt of legally owned property.

    Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 2(2)(j), (2)(l)

  • Exempts dealer exchanges, returns, and court-ordered transfers prevents unintended disruption to lawful commerce — e.g., trade-ins, warranty returns, and domestic violence protective order compliance — avoiding unnecessary friction in routine, low-risk transactions.

    Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(h), (i), (k), (l)

  • Exempts law enforcement and federal officers ensures uninterrupted access to firearms and ammunition for official duties — critical for officer safety, emergency response, and constitutional law enforcement functions.

    Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(2)(a)-(e), (m)

  • Exempts inheritances and estate-based transfers prevents government intrusion into private family matters and respects established probate law — avoids creating bureaucratic hurdles during emotionally vulnerable times (e.g., bereavement).

    Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(2)(j), (2)(l)

  • Exempts court-ordered firearm relinquishment and estate transfers supports domestic violence prevention and orderly succession — aligns with RCW 10.99.060 (domestic violence protective orders) and RCW 11.62 (small estate procedures), reducing enforcement complexity.

    Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(2)(k), (l)
Potential Concerns (5)

  • Reduces risk of impulsive or large-scale firearm acquisition that could facilitate mass shootings, suicide attempts, or domestic violence escalation by limiting bulk purchases — a known risk factor identified in FBI and DOJ studies of mass shooting perpetrators and suicide methods.

    Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(a) and (b); Sec. 2(3)(a)

  • Imposes $500 civil fine for first-time violations, which may impose disproportionate financial burden on low-income individuals (median household income ~$95K in WA, but 18% of households earn <$30K); civil fines function regrettably like fees, and repeated violations escalate to criminal penalties (misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor) with potential jail time and collateral consequences (e.g., employment, housing), disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

    FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(a) and (b); Sec. 1(1)(a)(vi)

  • Exempts inheritances and estate-based transfers, preserving constitutional and statutory rights to inherit property (including firearms) without arbitrary government interference — consistent with due process and property rights traditions.

    Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 2(2)(j), (2)(l)

  • Exempts law enforcement, correctional facilities, federal officers, and licensed collectors ensures public safety personnel can perform duties without artificial delays or operational constraints — critical for officer safety and emergency response capacity.

    Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(2)(a)-(c), (d), (e), (m)

  • Exempts dealer-to-dealer exchanges, returns, and private transfers involving court-ordered relinquishment or estate administration preserves lawful commerce and reduces regulatory burden on routine, low-risk transactions — avoids overreach into non-commercial or non-hazardous contexts.

    Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(h), (i), (k), (l)

Who Is Most Affected

  • Low- and middle-income firearm ownersMixed Impact

    Low- and middle-income individuals who rely on bulk purchases for self-defense, sport shooting, or prepper preparedness may face increased out-of-pocket costs (more frequent trips, time off work) and reduced access — especially in rural areas with fewer dealers.

  • Law enforcement and federal agenciesPositive Impact

    Law enforcement agencies and federal officers retain full access to firearms and ammunition for official duties, avoiding delays in equipment procurement or replacement.

  • Heirs and estate representativesPositive Impact

    Heirs and beneficiaries receive firearms without restriction, preserving property rights and avoiding regulatory burden during estate settlement — consistent with Washington’s probate and trust laws.

  • Licensed firearms dealersMixed Impact

    Firearms dealers must implement new verification systems and training to enforce the 30-day limits, increasing compliance costs — though the $500 civil fine for violations may offset some enforcement burden on dealers.

  • At-risk individuals (e.g., domestic violence survivors, suicidal persons)Positive Impact

    Victims of domestic violence and individuals at risk of suicide may benefit from reduced access to large quantities of firearms/ammunition in short timeframes — a known risk factor in suicide and homicide escalation.