SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1903
As of February 19, 2024
Title: An act relating to reporting lost or stolen firearms.
Brief Description: Reporting lost or stolen firearms.
Sponsors: House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Berry, Taylor, Stonier, Fitzgibbon, Reed, Street, Callan, Walen, Peterson, Fosse, Reeves, Simmons, Kloba, Mena, Senn, Hackney, Goodman, Thai, Ryu, Cortes, Tharinger, Alvarado, Ramel, Duerr, Ramos, Bateman, Ormsby, Fey, Rule, Macri, Gregerson, Doglio, Orwall, Bergquist, Berg, Farivar, Ortiz-Self, Lekanoff, Nance, Riccelli, Pollet and Davis).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/9/24, 57-40.
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/19/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates a civil infraction for the failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm to law enforcement within 24 hours.
  • Requires law enforcement to enter lost and stolen firearms into the national Crime Information Center database.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Staff: Joe McKittrick (786-7287)
Background:

A person is guilty of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm if the person stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a prohibited person may gain access to the firearm, and thereafter a prohibited person gains access and possession of the firearm and:

  • causes the firearm to discharge;
  • carries, exhibits, or displays the firearm in a public place in a manner that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons;
  • uses the firearm in the commission of a crime; or
  • causes personal injury or death.

 

It is a defense to the crime of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm if the prohibited person gains access to the firearm as a result of unlawful entry and the unauthorized access or theft of the firearm is reported to a local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the unauthorized access or theft occurred within five days of the time the victim should have known the firearm had been taken.
Summary of Bill:

The owner or person in lawful possession of a firearm who suffers the loss or theft of the firearm must report the loss or theft to the local law enforcement agency where the loss or theft occurred within 24 hours after the person first discovered the loss or theft unless good cause exists for a delay in reporting.

 

The report to law enforcement must include, to the extent known:

  • the caliber, make, model, manufacturer, and serial number of the firearm;
  • any other distinguishing number or identification mark on the firearm; and
  • the circumstances of the loss or theft, including the date, place, and manner.

 

Any person who fails to report a lost or stolen firearm commits a civil infraction and is subject to a fine of up to $1,000. 

 

A law enforcement agency that receives a report of a lost or stolen firearm must enter the provided information into the national Crime Information Center database. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.