HB 1152
In CommitteeHouse
Firearm storage
Enhancing public safety by establishing secure storage requirements for firearms in vehicles and residences.
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 establishes new rules for how and where firearms must be stored in vehicles and homes to reduce accidental access and misuse. It also creates a new state office to promote safe storage and prevent gun violence through education, research, and grants.
- Requires firearms stored in vehicles to be unloaded, locked in a secure, opaque container (hard-sided for pistols, hard- or soft-sided for rifles/shotguns), and concealed from view—unless an exception applies (e.g., hunting, farming, active military).
- Requires firearms stored in residences to be securely stored—either locked in a gun safe or disabled with a tamper-resistant lock—when not in immediate control of the owner or another authorized user.
- Creates civil and criminal penalties for unsafe storage: up to a $1,000 civil fine for basic violations, misdemeanor if a prohibited person gains access, gross misdemeanor if a crime is committed with the firearm, and class C felony if injury or death occurs.
- Establishes the Washington Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention within the Department of Social and Health Services to coordinate data collection, research, public education, and grant programs related to firearm violence prevention—including education on secure storage.
- Amends existing laws on carrying loaded firearms in vehicles and unsafe storage to align with the new secure storage standards and clarify when violations rise to criminal levels.
Who is affected
- Firearm owners and holders — Must follow new rules for storing firearms in vehicles (e.g., in locked, opaque, hard-sided containers when stored in a vehicle) and in homes (e.g., locked gun safe or tamper-resistant lock with trigger lock). Failure to comply may result in civil fines or criminal charges depending on outcome.
- Households with children, teens, or others who may legally not possess firearms — May face civil or criminal penalties if a prohibited person (e.g., someone banned from owning guns due to felony conviction or domestic violence restraining order) gains access to an improperly stored firearm, especially if injury or crime results.
- Victims of gun violence and their families — Will receive increased public education and resources about safe firearm storage through a new state office, and may access support services if affected by gun violence.
- Law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys — Will be responsible for enforcing the new storage rules and may prosecute violations that lead to harm or criminal activity.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Mandating secure storage in vehicles and homes significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental access by children, teens, or prohibited persons—evidence from other states (e.g., California, Massachusetts) shows such laws reduce unintentional shootings by 10–25% and youth suicides by up to 13%.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(a)-(c); Sec. 1(2)(a)-(b)The new Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention will fund public education on safe storage and provide a statewide helpline and trauma-informed therapy guidance—critical for communities disproportionately affected by gun violence, including rural and BIPOC populations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(h); Sec. 2(2)(e)-(f)Criminal penalties for unsafe storage that enable prohibited persons to access firearms—especially when used in crimes or to cause death—create a strong legal deterrent and support prosecution of gun traffickers or negligent owners who contribute to violence.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(ii)-(iv); Sec. 4(1)(b)By funding a statewide helpline and therapy best-practice guides for gun violence victims, the bill expands access to trauma-informed care—particularly beneficial for survivors of domestic violence, mass shootings, and suicide attempts, who often lack resources for long-term support.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(d)-(e); Sec. 2(2)(f)Farmers, hunters, and active military personnel are explicitly exempted from storage requirements during work-related firearm use—preserving livelihoods and reducing regulatory burden on rural workers and seasonal industries.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(e)(vi); Sec. 1(1)(e)(vii)
Potential Concerns (5)
Households—especially low-income, rural, or elderly firearm owners—may face unexpected costs to comply with new storage requirements, such as purchasing gun safes ($150–$1,000+), trigger locks ($20–$50), or vehicle console vaults ($50–$200). While the bill includes no funding for compliance aids, these purchases disproportionately burden households with limited disposable income.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)-(b); Sec. 3(2)(a)The bill creates a tiered criminal penalty structure where violations can escalate to class C felony (up to 5 years’ imprisonment) if a prohibited person gains access and causes death—potentially criminalizing negligent storage by low-income or mentally distressed owners who lack resources to comply, even in absence of intent.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(ii)-(iv); Sec. 4(1)(b)The removal of the unlawful-entry defense (Sec. 4(3)(d), repealed) may expose gun owners to liability even when firearms are stolen from locked storage, potentially discouraging reporting of theft and reducing cooperation with law enforcement.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(i); Sec. 4(3)(d) (old text, repealed)Local law enforcement and prosecutors will face increased caseloads and resource demands to investigate and prosecute storage violations—especially where harm occurs—without new dedicated funding, straining already limited local resources.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(ii)-(iv); Sec. 4(1)(b)The bill’s broad civil and criminal penalties may deter responsible owners from temporarily storing firearms in vehicles (e.g., during road trips or work commutes), potentially leading to riskier behaviors like carrying loaded firearms in violation of existing law to avoid storage hassles.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(i); Sec. 4(3)(d) (repealed)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income firearm owners may face significant upfront costs for compliant storage (e.g., gun safes, locks), and face disproportionate risk of civil fines or criminal charges if they cannot afford compliance—especially in rural areas where vehicle storage is common for work.
Households with children, teens, or visitors at risk of prohibited access gain substantial protection: the bill’s storage mandates directly reduce accidental shootings and youth suicides, with evidence showing up to 25% reductions in such incidents in similar states.
Law enforcement and prosecutors will face increased enforcement and prosecution duties without new funding, but benefit from stronger legal tools to hold negligent owners accountable—especially in cases where firearms are used in crimes by prohibited persons.
Victims of gun violence—particularly survivors of suicide, domestic violence, and mass shootings—gain access to a new state-funded helpline, trauma-informed therapy guidance, and coordinated support services previously unavailable at scale.
Rural residents, hunters, and farmers benefit from targeted exemptions for work-related firearm use, avoiding unnecessary regulatory burden while still being subject to storage rules at home—balancing safety and practicality.