A new requirement for gun buyers to obtain a state permit is on the verge of becoming law, following the Washington House’s decision to forward the legislation to the governor on Tuesday. House Bill 1163 mandates that individuals seeking to purchase firearms must apply for a five-year permit from the Washington State Patrol. To be eligible, applicants must pay a fee and have completed a certified firearms safety training program within the last five years, though certain exceptions apply.
In a 57-39 vote, House Democrats approved minor amendments made by the Senate. The bill’s future now rests in the hands of Governor Bob Ferguson, a Democrat and proponent of gun control. Notable amendments include exemptions from the training requirement for licensed armed security personnel and private investigators, as well as a postponement of the law’s effective date to May 2027.
Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, emphasized that had this permit requirement been in place a decade ago, Washington could have experienced around 250 fewer homicides and nearly 1,000 fewer suicides. Conversely, Republicans contend that criminals are unlikely to comply with the requirement, arguing it does little to enhance public safety and imposes additional barriers to the constitutional right to bear arms.
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, criticized the bill as “not just unconstitutional,” asserting that it will not guarantee the prevention of murders, assaults, or suicides. Currently, about a dozen other states have similar permit-to-purchase systems, which have largely been upheld by courts nationwide.
According to the proposed legislation, applicants who complete the firearms safety course must be granted a permit unless they are prohibited from owning guns, are out on bond while awaiting trial or sentencing on felony charges, or have an outstanding arrest warrant.
Troopers are required to issue permits within 30 days, or within 60 days if the applicant lacks a state ID. The state patrol anticipates processing approximately 100,000 applications annually, with more than 40 employees designated to manage the influx.
The agency estimates that implementing the new program will cost nearly $20 million in the 2027-29 budget cycle, with fees from fingerprinting and background checks expected to help offset these expenses. The program could potentially generate $31 million during the same budget period.
