HB 1872
In CommitteeHouse
Firearms
Concerning firearms.
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 expands exemptions to Washington’s existing bans on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, allowing certain groups—including law enforcement, military personnel, certified instructors, and concealed pistol license holders—to legally possess and purchase these items without waiting periods. It also clarifies definitions and sets conditions for lawful transfers and inheritance of restricted firearms.
- Expands exemptions from the state’s ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines to include authorized individuals—such as current/retired law enforcement, military personnel, certified shooting instructors, and valid concealed pistol license holders.
- Exempts authorized individuals from the 10-business-day waiting period for firearm purchases, since they have already undergone background checks.
- Clarifies definitions of key terms like 'assault weapon', 'large capacity magazine', and 'authorized individual' to support enforcement and exemptions.
- Permits licensed dealers to sell or transfer assault weapons and large capacity magazines to nonresidents, authorized individuals, law enforcement, or the U.S. or state military forces.
- Allows individuals who inherit assault weapons or large capacity magazines to legally possess them, but prohibits resale within Washington except to licensed dealers, gunsmiths, or law enforcement for permanent relinquishment.
Who is affected
- Authorized individuals (e.g., current/retired law enforcement, military personnel, certified shooting instructors, and valid concealed pistol license holders) — Can now bypass the 10-business-day waiting period when purchasing firearms, due to already having undergone background checks.
- Current or former owners of assault weapons or large capacity magazines — May continue to possess, buy, sell, or transfer assault weapons and large capacity magazines under specific exemptions—such as selling to nonresidents, transferring to law enforcement, or inheriting them—without violating the ban.
- General Washington residents — Must still follow existing restrictions on purchasing or possessing assault weapons and large capacity magazines, unless they qualify for an exemption.
- Federally licensed firearms dealers — Can continue to sell or transfer assault weapons and large capacity magazines to authorized individuals or out-of-state buyers under specific conditions.
- Heirs or legal recipients of firearms from deceased owners — May acquire assault weapons or large capacity magazines from deceased owners under specific rules, but cannot resell them within the state.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (5)
Exempting current/retired law enforcement and military personnel from the 10-day waiting period—because they’ve already undergone background checks—reduces administrative burden on law enforcement agencies and allows officers to quickly obtain equipment needed for official duties, improving operational readiness.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(b); Sec. 2(4)(b)-(c)Allowing inheritance of restricted firearms without immediate penalty preserves property rights for families and avoids penalizing individuals who acquire firearms through no action of their own, while still requiring transfer only to licensed dealers, gunsmiths, or law enforcement for lawful disposition.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 4(2)(e); Sec. 5(2)(e)Permitting dealers to facilitate out-of-state transfers of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines helps small gun dealers remain viable in a competitive market, especially in rural areas where local demand for such items is limited but cross-border demand exists.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(2)(c); Sec. 5(2)(c)Including certified shooting sports instructors and range instructors as 'authorized individuals' supports structured, supervised firearms education by ensuring instructors can legally use and demonstrate high-capacity training tools in certified programs, improving marksmanship and safety instruction.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(4)(f)-(g)The bill’s reaffirmation of constitutional rights under Articles I, sections 3, 7, and 24 signals legislative recognition of individual self-defense rights, which may reassure law-abiding gun owners and reduce perceived government overreach.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 1 (Intent section)
Potential Concerns (5)
Expanding exemptions to allow concealed pistol license holders and other authorized individuals to bypass waiting periods and possess assault weapons/large-capacity magazines increases access to high-risk firearms for a broader segment of the population without new safety training or risk-assessment requirements beyond existing background checks.
Public SafetyIndustryRef: Sec. 2(4)(a)-(g); Sec. 3(2)(b); Sec. 4(2)(a)-(e); Sec. 5(2)(a)-(c)The bill’s broad definition of 'authorized individual'—including concealed pistol license holders (a group of ~150,000 Washingtonians, disproportionately higher-income and white) and certified instructors—effectively expands firearm access to individuals who may not have active law enforcement or military roles, potentially diluting the original intent of the assault weapon ban.
Rights & LibertiesIndustryRef: Sec. 2(4)(a)-(g) (definition of 'authorized individual'); Sec. 4(2)(a)-(e); Sec. 5(2)(a)-(c)Allowing licensed dealers to sell assault weapons and large-capacity magazines to nonresidents creates a new revenue stream for dealers but may incentivize dealers to facilitate out-of-state trafficking, especially since the bill prohibits only *in-state* resale and lacks robust tracking or reporting requirements for such transfers.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 4(2)(c); Sec. 5(2)(c)Permitting inheritance of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines without mandatory safe storage, training, or background verification for heirs increases the risk of accidental discharge, misuse, or illegal diversion—especially since heirs may be minors, individuals with mental health issues, or prohibited persons who inherited before the ban took effect.
Public SafetyLean industryRef: Sec. 4(2)(e); Sec. 5(2)(e)The bill’s framing of exemptions as promoting 'safety' and 'responsible use' is not substantiated by new requirements for ongoing training, secure storage, or risk mitigation—instead, it prioritizes rights expansion over evidence-based safety protocols, potentially weakening deterrence of firearm misuse.
Rights & LibertiesLean industryRef: Sec. 1 (Intent section); Sec. 2(4)(a)-(g); Sec. 4(2)(a)-(e); Sec. 5(2)(a)-(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Concealed pistol license holders (≈150,000 WA residents) gain legal access to restricted firearms and expedited purchase, but the benefit is concentrated among those who already passed background checks—likely higher-income, more politically connected, and disproportionately white individuals.
Law enforcement and military personnel gain streamlined access to equipment needed for official duties, but the exemption also extends to *retired* personnel, diluting the public safety rationale and potentially expanding access to individuals no longer on active duty.
Federally licensed dealers gain legal pathways to sell restricted firearms to out-of-state buyers, supporting business viability, but face increased compliance complexity and potential liability if transfers violate out-of-state laws.
Heirs of restricted firearms gain temporary possession without penalty, but are constrained from resale and must navigate complex disposition rules—benefiting only if they are compliant and have no prohibitions; otherwise, they risk criminal liability.
General residents who do not qualify as 'authorized individuals' face no change in access restrictions, but may experience increased risk from greater availability of high-capacity firearms in the state due to looser transfer rules for others.