Washington lawmakers approve gun permit bill, send it to governor
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Washington state lawmakers have approved a measure that requires people to obtain a permit before buying a gun.
The big picture: The permit-to-purchase bill builds on recent gun control measures passed in Washington state, which have included bans on selling high-capacity firearm magazines and so-called assault weapons.
State of play: The gun permitting measure, which won final approval in the Washington state House on Tuesday, now heads to the desk of Gov. Bob Ferguson.
- It was the highest-priority gun control policy this year for top legislative Democrats, who control both the state House and state Senate.
What's inside: The legislation, House Bill 1163, would require most people in Washington to have completed a certified firearms safety training course within the previous five years before they can get a permit to buy a firearm.
- Prospective gun owners would have to apply for the permit and pay a fee to the Washington State Patrol, which runs firearm background checks.
- If the required training has been completed, the State Patrol would have to grant permit applications unless someone is restricted from owning a firearm for another reason, including having an outstanding arrest warrant or being subject to a no-contact order.
- Military members and police officers can be exempted from the training requirement, as can private investigators and armed security guards.
What they're saying: State Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle), the bill's lead sponsor, told Axios the bill "will make sure that the wrong people don't get access to firearms and that guns aren't diverted to the black market and crime."
- "If this policy saves one life, it's worth doing," Berry said.
- The legislation passed on a party-line vote, with all Republicans in the chamber voting no.
The other side: State Sen. Jeff Holy (R-Cheney) said during a floor debate earlier this month that the measure affects people's ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights and is sure to face legal challenges.
- He compared the bill to "a poll tax for access to your constitutional guarantees."
What's next: Ferguson could choose to sign the legislation as is, let it become law without his signature, or veto all or part of it.
- A spokesperson for the governor's office didn't immediately respond to a question from Axios on Wednesday about Ferguson's plans for the bill — but Berry said she expects he will sign it into law.