SB 5140
In CommitteeSenate
Firearm purchase
Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of 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 establishes a permit-to-purchase firearms system in Washington State, requiring individuals to obtain a five-year permit before buying or receiving any firearm. It mandates certified firearms safety training, expands background check requirements, and imposes new recordkeeping and security obligations on firearm dealers. It also strengthens processes for revoking licenses and permits when individuals become ineligible to possess firearms.
- Requires a permit to purchase firearms—valid for five years—for all firearm purchases and transfers, issued by the Washington State Patrol after fingerprinting, safety training, background checks, and a fee.
- Mandates certified firearms safety training (including live-fire exercises) for permit applicants, with exemptions for active military and law enforcement personnel.
- Requires dealers to verify a valid permit to purchase before delivering a firearm, in addition to conducting a background check.
- Establishes new recordkeeping and security requirements for firearm dealers—including video surveillance, inventory logs, and annual insurance coverage of at least $1 million.
- Requires courts and health agencies to report information to the state patrol when individuals become ineligible to possess firearms (e.g., due to conviction, commitment, or dismissal based on incompetency), triggering automatic revocation of permits and concealed pistol licenses.
- Creates a statewide reporting system requiring annual data on permit and concealed pistol license applications, denials, revocations, and appeals to be submitted to the legislature.
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 (with exemptions for certain military and law enforcement personnel); 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 annual eligibility reviews, revoke permits when eligibility is lost, and report data to the legislature.
- Local law enforcement agencies — Must collect fingerprints, charge reasonable fees for fingerprinting, and notify licensing authorities when permit holders become ineligible or have permits revoked.
- County sheriffs and city police chiefs (concealed pistol license issuing authorities) — Must issue or deny concealed pistol licenses based on new eligibility standards, including acceptance of a valid permit to purchase firearms in lieu of fingerprinting; must revoke licenses upon notification of ineligibility; and report annual data to the state patrol.
- Firearm dealers — Must comply with new recordkeeping, security, surveillance, and reporting requirements for firearm sales and transfers; must verify permit-to-purchase status before completing transfers; and may face license revocation for violations.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Establishes a centralized, multi-agency background check system with automatic permit revocation upon eligibility loss (e.g., conviction, mental health commitment), improving enforcement of prohibitions and reducing access for high-risk individuals—evidence from other states suggests such systems reduce firearm homicides and suicides.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(8), (9); Sec. 9.41.090(3)(a), (b); Sec. 9.41.047(1), (2); Sec. 9.41.075(1)(a), (b); Sec. 9.41.110(16)(a)Requires certified safety training—including suicide prevention, secure storage, and conflict resolution—potentially reducing accidental shootings, domestic violence fatalities, and impulsive suicides, especially among youth and high-risk populations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c), (d); Sec. 9.41.1132(1); Sec. 9.41.070(5); Sec. 9.41.110(13), (15)Mandates dealer verification of valid permit-to-purchase before transfer, strengthening accountability and traceability—helps law enforcement track illicit transfers and supports investigations, especially in cases of straw purchases or trafficking.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(16); Sec. 9.41.110(13), (15); Sec. 9.41.090(1)(a), (3)(b)Requires annual legislative reporting on permit denials, revocations, and appeals—including anonymized demographic data—enabling oversight and identification of systemic disparities, supporting evidence-based policy adjustments.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(16); Sec. 9.41.070(15); Sec. 9.41.110(13)(g); Sec. 9.41.090(6)Includes due process protections: right to appeal denials/revocations in superior court (de novo, no jury, no filing fee), immunity for good-faith compliance, and clear statutory standards—reducing arbitrary or discriminatory enforcement and ensuring recourse for erroneous denials.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5); Sec. 9.41.047(1); Sec. 9.41.097; Sec. 9.41.0975
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandates new fees for permit applications ($25–$50+), fingerprinting, and background checks ($18 max), plus insurance ($1M) and surveillance upgrades for dealers—costs that disproportionately burden low- and middle-income firearm purchasers and small dealers, especially given the $1,000/month sales threshold exemption for small dealers only partially offsets compliance burdens.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(11)(a), (b); Sec. 9.41.070(6)(a), (b); Sec. 9.41.110(15)Creates a multi-step, time-delayed permit system that adds administrative barriers to lawful firearm acquisition—potentially delaying emergency self-defense purchases and increasing risk for individuals in imminent danger, especially in rural or underserved areas with limited fingerprinting or training access.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(6), (9); Sec. 9.41.070(1), (2); Sec. 9.41.090(1)(a), (3)(b); Sec. 9.41.110(16)(a)Revokes permits/licenses automatically upon eligibility loss (e.g., mental health commitment, conviction), but lacks robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure timely firearm surrender—potentially leaving prohibited persons armed during revocation lag, especially in counties with limited law enforcement resources.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(14); Sec. 9.41.090(1)(a); Sec. 9.41.110(16)(a); Sec. 9.41.075(1)(a), (b)Imposes costly security, surveillance, and insurance requirements on dealers—though small-volume dealers ($1,000/month sales) are exempt from some requirements, the $1M insurance mandate and 24/7 video surveillance likely strain small, independent gun shops, potentially reducing competition and increasing prices for consumers.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 9.41.110(19); Sec. 9.41.110(9), (10), (11), (15)Mandates live-fire training and fingerprinting for permit applicants, which may deter or delay access for low-income, rural, or disabled individuals who lack access to certified ranges, transportation, or time off work—reducing participation in lawful firearm ownership without clear evidence of reduced gun violence.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c), (d); Sec. 2(6); Sec. 9.41.070(1); Sec. 9.41.110(5)(a)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income firearm purchasers face new fees ($25–$50+), training requirements, and fingerprinting costs—potentially delaying or preventing lawful acquisition, especially for self-defense or rural residents with limited access to training ranges.
Small gun dealers ($1,000/month sales or less) are partially exempt from security/surveillance requirements, but most face $1M insurance, 24/7 video monitoring, and recordkeeping costs—raising compliance burdens and potentially reducing small business viability.
Law enforcement gains a centralized background check system and automatic permit revocation triggers, improving enforcement efficiency—but may face resource strain in verifying revocations and recovering firearms from ineligible holders.
Individuals at risk of suicide, domestic violence, or accidental shooting benefit from mandatory safety training, secure storage emphasis, and delayed access during background checks—evidence suggests permit-to-purchase laws reduce firearm suicides and homicides.
The state gains a new revenue stream from fees and improved public safety data, but must fund system implementation and oversight—net fiscal impact is likely neutral-to-positive if fees cover costs, as specified.