A coalition of Democratic lawmakers is once again trying to push a bill for more stringent requirements on firearm purchases, transfers and concealed carry licenses after failing in the past.

House Bill 1163 would require Washington residents to obtain a state-issued permit before purchasing any firearm. The permit process would include fingerprinting, background checks and a certified safety training program, which must include live-fire exercises.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) would manage the permits, with a standard approval period of 30 days — extended to 60 days for new state residents. The bill had its first public hearing in front of the House Appropriates Committee on Monday.

Been tried before

It isn’t the first time lawmakers in Washington have attempted to pass legislation requiring a permit to purchase a firearm.

House Bill 1902, introduced in 2024, would have mandated that Washington residents obtain a permit before buying any firearm. The permit process would been nearly the same as this year’s version of the bill.

The proposed permit would have been valid for five years and carried an application fee of $28, not including any additional fingerprinting processing costs but HB 1902 failed to pass last year after rural democrats in the Senate couldn’t support it.

In 2022, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 114, which also established a permit-to-purchase requirement. Yet that law has faced significant challenges, including lawsuits and enforcement issues, with many Oregon sheriffs refusing to implement the measure due to concerns about its constitutionality.

The legal battle over Measure 114 is still ongoing, which could create a similar situation for Washington if HB 1163 or other similar proposals are enacted.

Gun rights advocates argue the bill adds unnecessary burdens to law-abiding gun owners.

“This is not about gun control,” Jeremy Bennett, a concerned resident, said. “This bill makes law-abiding citizens jump through more hoops and costs just to preserve our Second Amendment rights.”

Supporters, however, see the permit process as a vital measure for public safety.

Jane Weiss, a retired teacher and survivor of gun violence, expressed her support for HB 1163, sharing his personal tragedy.

“On May 23, 2014, I became a survivor of gun violence … My 19-year-old niece, Veronica Weiss, was murdered in a mass shooting,” she said. “Requiring a license and permit is common sense. It ensures that only responsible Washingtonians can purchase firearms.”

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Tougher background checks

HB 1163 would also strengthen background check protocols. If an applicant has an outstanding warrant, pending criminal charges or a court order restricting firearm possession, their application would be delayed or denied. WSP would also conduct annual permit reviews to ensure ongoing compliance, revoking permits from those who become ineligible.

Opponents, including Aoibheann Cline, the Washington State Director for the National Rifle Association (NRA), argue such requirements could create significant delays and inefficiencies.

Cline referenced Oregon’s implementation of a similar law in 2022, which has faced delays and administrative burdens.

“The wait time for delayed applicants has averaged 45 days, and Oregon State Police can’t even hire enough staff to speed up the process,” Cline warned.

New training requirements

The bill would raise the bar for firearm safety training, requiring live-fire training for concealed carry applicants. The training would include a minimum of 50 rounds fired at a certified range, and WSP would certify training programs. Applicants would also be required to renew their certification every five years.

Marty Lough an NRA-certified firearms instructor, voiced his opposition to the new training requirements.

“There is no provision in the state constitution that mandates education for firearms,” Low argued. “It’s not the firearm that’s deadly — it’s the person with their finger on the trigger.”

Expanded record-keeping

Another major component of HB 1163 is expanding record-keeping requirements. Under the bill, all firearm transfers, not just for pistols and semiautomatic rifles, would need to be recorded and submitted to the WSP and the Department of Licensing.

Supporters argue this would improve traceability and assist law enforcement, while opponents fear it could lead to the creation of a gun registry, violating citizens’ privacy.

Jeremy Ball, a gun store owner, voiced his concerns.

“This is a poll tax,” Ball said. “It’s going to prevent people from accessing firearms. Right now, we don’t even have enough shooting ranges in Washington to handle the influx of permits this bill would require.”

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What’s next?

HB 1163 has passed the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee and needs the approval of the House Appropriates Committee for a potential vote by all House lawmakers.

If passed, it would move to the Senate, where a similar bill stalled last year due to opposition from rural lawmakers. Given the Democratic control of the Washington State Legislature, the bill has a strong chance of moving forward, but legal challenges from gun rights groups seem inevitable.

Matt Markovich is the KIRO Newsradio political analyst. Follow him on X. 

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