Washington State Gun Control Bills going to the House Floor

Three gun control bills have been sent to the House Rules Committee.  From there they can
can be advanced to the House floor for a vote at any time. 

HB 1132 restricts firearm purchases to 1 gun every 30 days and places arbitrary restrictions on the purchase of ammunition by law-abiding citizens. Violations by licensed firearms dealers is punishable by forfeiture of their license.

HB 1152 requires mandatory locked storage of firearms separately from ammunition in vehicles and within your own home.

HB 1163 establishes a permit to purchase scheme requiring government permission to purchase or transfer a firearm, adds a live-fire training component, and establishes an illegal government registry of firearm owners and their personal information. An amendment was added in the Appropriations Committee that if funding is not appropriated for HB 1163's permit scheme by June 30th, 2025, the bill will be null and void.

The State of Washington is facing a $12 billion deficit. HB 1163’s fiscal note estimates that passage of this bill will cost the state more than $20 million the state does not have to spend. 

Law-abiding firearm owners will continue to be the only ones impacted by another gun-control law in Washington. Washington State Police data shows that the firearms used in crimes originate from three main sources – theft, illicit sources, and straw-purchases, all of which are already illegal means. HB 1163 is another solution in search of a problem, placing additional burdens on the law-abiding while doing nothing to address Washington’s escalating crime problem.

Take action - Contact your lawmakers and tell them to vote no on these three bills.

Click Here for the easy to use form.

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On Wednesday, March 5th, Senate Bill 5098 was passed on the Senate floor by a vote of 28-21. It will now be transmitted to the House for consideration.

Senate Bill 5098 prohibits the possession of firearms in parks, government buildings, and locations where “children are likely to be present.” While the legislation was amended to exempt concealed pistol license holders, the vague language could be interpreted and applied to interfere with hunting and recreational shooting opportunities. This overbroad language is indicative of the disdain anti-gun legislators have for law-abiding citizens and their desire to turn the entire state of Washington into a "gun-free" zone. 

Anti-gun Democrats voted down common sense amendments, including a requirement that the Department of Commerce publish a list of locations where firearms are banned under the bill and providing for an affirmative defense for otherwise lawfully carrying firearms where “gun free zone” signage is not posted, as required under the bill.