E2SHB 1163
SignedHouse
Firearm purchase
Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms.
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 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.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The permit-to-purchase program creates a centralized, standardized background check system with mandatory fingerprinting, safety training, and 30–60 day review periods, significantly reducing the risk of firearm access by prohibited persons—including those with outstanding warrants, pending charges, or mental health commitments—before sale or transfer.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1); Sec. 2(2); Sec. 2(3); Sec. 2(6); Sec. 2(7)Mandatory permit verification at point of sale, combined with enhanced dealer recordkeeping, surveillance, and trace response requirements, improves traceability and law enforcement accountability, making it easier to investigate firearm trafficking and straw purchases. This strengthens public safety by closing loopholes that previously allowed untraceable transfers.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 13(16)(a)(ii); Sec. 13(18)(b); Sec. 13(15); Sec. 13(13)(a)Automatic revocation of permits and licenses upon court notification—coupled with mandatory surrender orders and court-ordered firearm relinquishment—reduces the risk that prohibited individuals retain firearms after becoming legally ineligible. This is especially impactful in cases of domestic violence, mental health crises, and extreme risk protection orders.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(14); Sec. 9(1)(a); Sec. 16(5); Sec. 15The bill establishes a self-funded permit and background check system via application, fingerprinting, and dealer licensing fees, avoiding general fund appropriations. While this reduces taxpayer burden, the fee structure is regressive: low-income applicants pay the same flat fees as high-income applicants, and fingerprinting fees may disproportionately burden rural or indigent applicants.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(11)(b); Sec. 6; Sec. 7(6)(a)(ii)The requirement for certified firearms safety training—including suicide prevention, safe storage, and live-fire exercises—enhances public safety by promoting responsible firearm ownership and reducing accidental discharges and self-harm. While beneficial, the training requirement may disproportionately burden rural residents, low-income individuals, and those with mobility or financial constraints, especially if certified training providers are scarce outside urban centers.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(7)(a)(v); Sec. 9(1)(a); Sec. 15
Potential Concerns (5)
Fees for permit applications ($25–$36 base + fingerprinting + background check up to $18) and dealer licensing ($125 per license type) create direct out-of-pocket costs for firearm purchasers and dealers. While fees are intended to cover program costs, the structure disproportionately burdens low-income individuals and small firearms dealers—especially those with < $1,000/month sales who still must comply with security, surveillance, and insurance requirements despite the small-business exemption being narrow and delayed.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(11)(a); Sec. 6; Sec. 7(6)(a)(ii)Mandatory revocation of permits and licenses upon court notification of ineligibility (e.g., mental health commitment, protective orders, conviction) improves public safety by reducing access to firearms by high-risk individuals. However, the automatic revocation mechanism—without a separate hearing or grace period for firearm surrender— may create immediate safety risks for individuals who legally owned firearms but now face sudden loss of access and potential illegal retention or unsafe disposal.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(7)(a)(v); Sec. 2(9); Sec. 2(14); Sec. 9(1)(a)The requirement for certified firearms safety training—including suicide prevention, safe storage, and live-fire exercises—enhances public safety by promoting responsible firearm ownership and reducing accidental discharges and self-harm. However, the training requirement may disproportionately burden rural residents, low-income individuals, and those with mobility or financial constraints, especially if certified training providers are scarce outside urban centers.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(7)(a)(iv); Sec. 9(1)(a)The bill includes a small-business exemption for dealers with < $1,000/month average sales (exempt from security, surveillance, and insurance requirements), but only after a one-year grace period. The exemption is narrow and delayed, while most requirements (e.g., permit verification, recordkeeping, background checks) apply universally. This creates a mixed impact: micro-dealers gain temporary relief, but all dealers face new compliance costs and liability exposure.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 13(19); Sec. 13(9)–(11)Automatic revocation of permits and licenses upon court notification—without requiring a separate judicial finding of current dangerousness—risks deprivation of constitutional rights without due process. While the bill provides for post-revocation appeals, the initial deprivation is immediate and may prevent lawful firearm possession during the appeal process, especially for individuals who are temporarily ineligible but not a current threat.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(14); Sec. 9(1)(a); Sec. 15; Sec. 16(5)
Who Is Most Affected
Must obtain a permit, complete certified safety training, and pass background checks before purchasing or receiving firearms. Low-income, rural, and marginalized groups face higher barriers due to training costs, travel, and documentation requirements. Automatic revocation provisions may cause immediate loss of lawful firearm possession without a separate hearing.
Must operate a centralized permit and background check system, issue or deny permits within 30–60 days, and automatically revoke permits upon court notification. Increased administrative burden and liability exposure, but also expanded authority and funding through fees.
Must collect fingerprints, charge reasonable fees, and cooperate with permit and license application processes. Adds administrative burden but provides fee revenue to cover costs.
Must issue/revoke concealed pistol licenses, conduct background checks, and report to WSP. Increased workload and liability exposure, but also enhanced authority and standardized procedures.
Must verify permits, conduct background checks, install security/surveillance systems, carry $1M liability insurance, and maintain records. Small dealers (< $1k/month sales) get a 1-year grace period, but most face significant new compliance costs and liability exposure.