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E2SHB 1163

Signed

House

Firearm purchase

Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms.

  1. Introduced (completed)
  2. Committee (completed)
  3. Floor Vote (completed)
  4. Opposite Chamber (completed)
  5. Governor (completed)
  6. Signed (completed)
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: February 26, 2025
Last Action: May 20, 2025
Status: C 370 L 25
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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 establishes a statewide permit-to-purchase program requiring individuals to obtain a permit before buying or receiving any firearm. It expands background checks, mandates certified firearms safety training, and strengthens recordkeeping and revocation procedures for permits and concealed pistol licenses. The bill also increases requirements for firearm dealers, including security, surveillance, and reporting obligations.

  • Requires a permit to purchase firearms—valid for five years—for all firearm purchases or transfers, issued by the Washington State Patrol after fingerprinting, background checks, and proof of certified firearms safety training.
  • Mandates certified firearms safety training within the past five years for permit applicants and concealed pistol license applicants, covering topics like safe storage, suicide prevention, and live-fire exercises.
  • Establishes new background check and delay procedures: transfers may be delayed or denied if there are outstanding warrants, pending criminal charges, or incomplete records; dealers must wait for approval before delivering firearms.
  • Requires recordkeeping and reporting for all firearm transfers, including transmission of transfer data to the Washington State Patrol, and annual reporting on permit and license applications, approvals, and denials.
  • Strengthens revocation procedures for permits and licenses when individuals become ineligible (e.g., due to conviction, mental health commitment, or protective orders), and requires automatic revocation upon court notification.

Who is affected

  • Firearm purchasers and transferees — Must obtain a permit to purchase firearms before buying or receiving any firearm; must complete certified firearms safety training within the past five years (unless exempt); and are subject to background checks and potential delays or denials based on eligibility criteria.
  • Washington State Patrol Firearms Background Check Program — Must issue or deny permits to purchase firearms within specified timeframes, conduct background checks, revoke permits when eligibility changes, and report data to the legislature.
  • Local law enforcement agencies — Must collect fingerprints, charge reasonable fees for fingerprinting services, and cooperate with permit and license application processes.
  • County sheriffs and city police chiefs — Must issue or deny concealed pistol licenses, conduct background checks, revoke licenses when eligibility changes, and report data to the Washington State Patrol.
  • Firearm dealers — Must follow new requirements for firearm sales, including verifying permits to purchase, conducting background checks, maintaining records, installing security systems, and carrying liability insurance.
Effective: November 1, 2026Fiscal impact: Creates a new state firearms background check system account funded by permit application fees, fingerprint processing fees, and background check fees (up to $18 per check). Fees cover costs of operating the permit program and background check system. Also includes fees for concealed pistol licenses and dealer licenses, with revenue deposited into the state general fund and other designated accounts.
Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 19, 2026, 6:34 PM

Pro/Con Analysis

Potential Benefits (4)

  • The bill strengthens the link between extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) and firearm revocation, ensuring that individuals subject to such orders have their permits and licenses automatically revoked, which helps prevent gun violence in domestic violence and mental health crisis situations.

    Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(7) and Sec. 16(5)

  • Mandating firearms safety training that specifically includes instruction on suicide prevention and secure gun storage aims to reduce accidental deaths and suicides, addressing a significant public health concern related to firearm access in the home.

    Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)(c) and Sec. 3(1)(d)

  • The requirement for annual verification of permit holder eligibility and immediate revocation upon conviction or mental health commitment ensures that individuals who become ineligible to possess firearms are promptly identified and their access to firearms is cut off, reducing the risk of firearms falling into the hands of prohibited persons.

    Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(9) and Sec. 7(2)

  • Enhanced recordkeeping and surveillance requirements for firearm dealers improve the ability of law enforcement to trace firearms used in crimes, potentially leading to faster investigations and increased accountability for illegal firearm transfers.

    Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 13(11) and Sec. 13(12)
Potential Concerns (4)

  • The bill mandates that firearm dealers carry $1,000,000 in general liability insurance and install expensive security infrastructure (alarms, video surveillance, secure storage), significantly increasing operational costs for gun shops and potentially driving up prices for consumers or forcing small dealers out of business.

    Business & EmploymentLean industryRef: Sec. 13(15) and Sec. 13(19)

  • The creation of a new permit-to-purchase system introduces recurring financial burdens on lawful gun owners, including application fees, fingerprinting fees, and mandatory background check fees (up to $18 per transaction), which must be paid every five years to renew the permit.

    FinancialLean industryRef: Sec. 2(11) and Sec. 17(4)

  • The requirement for certified firearms safety training, including live-fire exercises and shooting proficiency demonstrations, imposes a significant time and logistical burden on applicants, particularly those in rural areas or with limited access to certified training facilities, effectively creating a barrier to lawful firearm acquisition.

    Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 3(1)(i) and Sec. 8(5)(a)

  • The bill allows for the delay of firearm transfers if there are pending criminal charges or incomplete records, which may result in indefinite delays for lawful purchasers whose records are not yet fully processed, creating uncertainty and potential frustration for compliant citizens.

    Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(3)(b) and Sec. 2(6)

Who Is Most Affected

  • Firearm Purchasers and TransfereesMixed Impact

    Must obtain a permit, complete safety training, and pay fees every five years. They face increased costs and administrative hurdles but gain a structured process for lawful firearm acquisition.

  • Firearm DealersNegative Impact

    Face increased operational costs due to mandatory insurance, security systems, and recordkeeping requirements. Small dealers may struggle to comply, while larger dealers may absorb costs more easily.

  • Law Enforcement AgenciesMixed Impact

    Must process more applications, conduct background checks, and manage revocations. This increases workload but also provides clearer legal frameworks for enforcement and public safety.

  • General PublicPositive Impact

    Benefits from reduced gun violence and improved public safety. The costs are borne by gun owners and dealers, but the broader community gains from enhanced safety measures.

  • Washington State PatrolMixed Impact

    Must implement new systems for background checks, permit issuance, and data reporting. This requires significant administrative resources and coordination with other agencies.