Attorney General Nick Brown has advocated for the passage of a permit to purchase legislation aimed at gun buyers in Washington. The proposed bill, known as HB 1163, was discussed before the Senate Committee on Law & Justice. Brown emphasized that the legislation could prevent illegal gun purchases under existing laws.
“This policy gives us the tools we need to ensure gun buyers aren’t doing so illegally under existing state and federal laws,” Brown stated during his testimony. He highlighted that background checks, training, and other safety measures could be effectively used between a buyer's decision to purchase a firearm and its acquisition.
The bill is scheduled for a committee vote on Thursday. It proposes enhanced permitting requirements for firearms purchasers, mandating State Patrol-certified safety training. This includes instruction on firearm safety procedures, responsible handling, and live-fire exercises to ensure proficiency.
Senate Law & Justice Committee Chair Manka Dhingra expressed support for the bill: "Research and data clearly show that permit-to-purchase programs reduce gun-related deaths, curb gun trafficking, and improve law enforcement officer safety. This bill will save lives.”
HB 1163 also introduces comprehensive background checks for permit issuance, at the point of purchase, and annual re-checks to maintain eligibility. These measures aim to quickly identify individuals prohibited from owning guns.
House Rep. Liz Berry shared her personal connection to the issue: "Gun violence is the number one cause of death for our kids... As a mom of two little kids, and having lost someone I love to gun violence, this is personal to me.” She called for action by stating that fear of gun violence should not be part of daily life.
The bill draws inspiration from Connecticut’s similar legislation enacted three decades ago which resulted in a 40% reduction in gun homicides over ten years according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.
Senator Marko Liias added his support: “This bill builds on our commonsense requirement that background checks be part of the process for buying firearms in Washington.”
Previously passed by the House with a vote count of 58-38, HB 1163 now awaits further consideration in the Senate committee.