Washington’s Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson on May 20 signed an arguably unconstitutional bill into law that will require state citizens to acquire a permit to purchase and undergo live-fire testing in order to purchase a firearm.
The measure, House Bill 1163, created a permit-to-purchase scheme that requires 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.
Since implementing the measure is expected to cost nearly $60 million, Democrat lawmakers plan to recoup that loss by charging gun owners for fingerprinting and for the permit—in other words, taxing them to practice a constitutional right. Permits will need to be renewed every five years—at additional expense to the lawful gun owners, of course.
The law states: “In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, no dealer may deliver a firearm to the purchaser or transferee thereof until: (a) The purchaser provides proof of completion of a recognized firearm safety training program within the last five years that complies with the requirements in RCW 9.41.1132, or proof that the purchaser is exempt from the training requirement or transferee produces a valid permit to purchase firearms under section 2 of this act.”
The law gets off in the deep weeds concerning the various aspects that must be included in training for a lawful citizen to receive a permit to purchase a firearm.
“A person applying for a permit to purchase firearms must provide a certificate of completion of a certified firearms safety training program within the last five years that, at a minimum, includes instruction on: (a) Basic firearms safety rules; (b) Firearms and children, including secure gun storage and talking to children about gun safety; (c) Firearms and suicide prevention; (d) Secure gun storage to prevent unauthorized access and use; (e) Safe handling of firearms; (f) State and federal firearms laws, including prohibited firearms transfers and locations where firearms are prohibited; (g) State laws pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense; (h) Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution; and (i) Live-fire shooting exercises on a firing range that include a demonstration by the applicant of the safe handling of, and shooting proficiency with, firearms.”
The live-fire training requirement is also quite extensive.
“The training required for issuance of a license under this section must be from a concealed carry firearms safety training program certified under section 4 of this act that includes live-fire shooting exercises on a firing range that include a demonstration by the applicant of the safe handling of, and shooting proficiency with, firearms, including a minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition firing training at a firing range under the supervision of an instructor,” the law states.
In addition to all of the other requirements, Washingtonians will be required to pay the government a $32 fee in order to receive the arguably unconstitutional permit.
As we reported earlier when the measure was first introduced, the permit and live-fire requirement will only hurt lawful gun owners while not affecting how violent criminals acquire their guns.
“Law-abiding firearm owners will continue to be the only ones impacted by another gun-control law in Washington,” NRA-ILA said in a legislative alert at the time. “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.”
Ultimately, it’s likely that gun-rights organizations will begin targeting the new law in court once it takes effect. Of course, getting it overturned because it runs counter to the most fundamental aspect of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms is likely to take years.
ILLANNOY likely will do something like this. Just passed “safe storage ” BS mainly for those who have under 18 year old kids. I expect compliance to be near zero like the “safe act” boondoggle.
The San Francisco safe storage law applies even if you live alone–hearkening back to the law overturned in Heller except that the gun does not have to be unloaded, disassembled, with the ammo kept in a separate room/
Illinois already has it and it is the FOID card. The FOID has been around for more than 50 years in Illinois.
Yes Illinois has an FOID but this is ten times worse. Now the aged little old lady who has mobility issues and lives alone can’t buy a firearm for protection unless she can go to a gun range for training and show she is proficient in firearm handling and can shoot well enough to please the politicians. Just plain horrid feel good legislation that won’t do a darn thing to prevent violent thugs from obtaining firearms.
grump – it ‘almost’ sounds like you don’t ‘believe’ that criminals will comply with this latest infringement – oh wait, they don’t follow current laws, never mind ‘-)
The author is confused “arguable” it is NOT. The correct wording is CLEARLY unconstitutional bill. That a prog asserts some BS does not make the issue “arguable”.
AS: It not “arguable” that the US has been overrun by illegal aliens.
And once again saying it’s Unconstitutional did not cut it. Until Center X is Gun Control expect the usual results…thanks to Gun talking blowbags failing to lay the History of Gun Control on the table…Give democRats something to choke on otherwise you are peeing in the wind.
Perhaps peeing into the wind does give Democrats something to choke on?
Works great in your backyard of New Orleans where they know the history and never pass gun control…..oh wait that’s right they don’t care and need to be forced by the state to follow the law. Blowbag indeed but your insecurities have been evident for months.
Aside from the shooting, all of this stuff can be learned in an hour. The thing I don’t get is how are you supposed to learn how to shoot and practice shooting if you can’t get a permit to purchase BEFORE taking the shooting portion. Finger guns?
Rental or loaner guns. Most instructors bring guns for students that don’t have theirs or many ranges have rental guns. This isn’t like that one state (NY or CT?) where it’s illegal to even touch a handgun unless you have a handgun permit.
That would be NJ as well. If you are out of state, you cannot even buy ammo.
What do you do if you’re a first time gun buyer? You don’t have a gun to shoot for your 50rd qualification which you need to get your permit to purchase. In WA it’s illegal to loan a firearm to someone else unless it’s your spouse. I guess you’re S.O.L.
Is it illegal to rent guns as well? Is there an exception for firearms instructors to loan guns while training?
I’d bring my flintlock for the qualification. Probably would be an all day event to shoot 50 rounds with required cleanings.
I was born in WA during WW2. Lived the early part of my life in western WA. Joined the Marines in the early ’60’s and spent the next 20+ years on active duty. Went to work for Boeing after that. It was a nice place until the mid ’90’s when things started rapidly going downhill. Left for good in 2000. Retired to the free State of MS.
I mourn for the population of WA who are stuck there with the tyranny that gets more oppressive every year.
If they come for mine they will find out that I don’t waste ammo I don’t miss the target!
Well shocker..
Washington is on the nauty list now. Yet another communist nation slipping in under the beloved Red White and Blue.