Sales and Transfers of Firearms. In Washington, only licensed firearm dealers may engage in the retail sale of firearms. Dealers must comply with both state and federal background check requirements before transferring firearms to anyone who is not also a dealer. Under federal law, a dealer cannot sell a firearm or ammunition to anyone the dealer knows, or has reasonable cause to know, is federally prohibited from possessing firearms. The consequence of a willful violation of the federal background check requirement is revocation of the dealer's federal firearm license, and imposition of a civil fine. A knowing violation of the federal background check requirement can subject the dealer to criminal prosecution, and up to ten years imprisonment.
Under state law it is a class C felony for a person to transfer a firearm to another person whom the transferor has reasonable cause to believe is ineligible to possess firearms. A first-time knowing violation of this requirement is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, and up to a $5,000 fine.
When neither party to a firearm transfer is a licensed dealer, the parties to the transaction must complete the sale or transfer through a licensed dealer. The seller or transferor must deliver the firearm to a licensed dealer who will then process the transaction as if the dealer was selling or transferring the firearm from its own inventory or stock, including compliance with all requirements of state and federal law for processing the sale or transfer of a firearm.
The requirement that a sale or transfer of a firearm where neither party is a licensed dealer does not apply in certain circumstances, including:
Firearm Background Checks. The firearm background check system consists of two parts. The national instant criminal background check system (NICS) maintained by the FBI, and a state background check, which consists of local law enforcement conducting an individualized check of the databases of the Washington State Patrol (WPS), Department of Social and Health Services, and local mental health agencies.
For pistol and semiautomatic rifles sales or transfers, a purchaser first must complete a purchase application with the dealer. The dealer then forwards the application to the relevant local law enforcement agency to conduct the NICS check, and a state background check.
In 2020, the Legislature passed ESHB 2467 which, in part, created a centralized point-of-contact firearms background check program within WSP. With this change, all background checks for firearm transfers within the state must be processed by WSP. This program is expected to be fully operational by 2024.
Time and Waiting Periods. Washington has not historically had a waiting or cooling-off period before a firearm can be delivered to the purchaser. Currently, except for semiautomatic rifles, a licensed dealer may not deliver any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until the earlier of:
For the sale or transfer of a pistol, if the purchaser or transferee does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state identification card, or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive 90 days, the time period is increased to 60 days.
A dealer may not deliver a semiautomatic rifle to a purchaser or transferee until ten business days have elapsed from the date of purchase application, or, in the case of a transfer, ten business days have elapsed from the date a background check is initiated.
Firearm Training and Safety. To purchase a semiautomatic rifle, the purchaser must provide proof to the dealer that they completed a recognized firearm training program within the last five years. At a minimum the training program must include instruction on:
The training must be sponsored by a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, college or university, firearms training school with certified instructors, or other national recognized organizations that typically offer firearm training. The proof of training must be in the form of a certification that states under penalty of perjury that the training meets the minimum requirements.
A firearms dealer may not transfer any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until the completion of a background check indicating the person is eligible to possess firearms, and ten days have elapsed since the dealer requested the background check. Provisions governing investigative holds on the delivery of a firearm based on outstanding warrants, or open or pending criminal charges are eliminated.
A dealer may not transfer any firearm to a purchaser or transferee unless the purchaser produces a certificate of completion of a certified firearms safety training program within the last five years. The training program requirement does not apply to certified peace officers, or members of the military who have completed firearms training within the last five years as part of service that included training on the safe handling of, and shooting proficiency with, firearms.
The firearm safety training program must be certified by WSP, and at a minimum include instruction on:
Transfer application requirements and the requirement that a dealer must make a record for pistol and semiautomatic assault rifle transfers are made applicable to all firearm transfers.
Effective January 1, 2024, a state background check must be conducted for all firearm transfers. Firearm transfers and background check processes are revised to conform to procedures that will apply upon implementation of the State Firearm Background Check Program, including requiring background checks through the WSP Firearm Background Check Program (program) rather than local law enforcement agencies. A dealer must transmit the information from a firearms purchase application through secure automated firearms e-check (SAFE) to the WSP program. The WSP program must transmit the application information to the Department of Licensing daily. The fee applicable to the purchase or transfer of semiautomatic assault rifles is eliminated.
Beginning January 1, 2024, firearm dealers must use the WSP program to effectuate the necessary background checks prior to delivering any firearm to a purchaser, and may not deliver any firearm after this date unless the dealer is notified in writing by WSP that the purchaser is eligible to possess firearms, and ten business days have elapsed from the date the dealer requested the background check.
At the time of applying for the purchase of any firearm, the purchaser must sign in triplicate and deliver to the dealer an application containing the purchaser's full name, address, place of birth, race, and gender. The application must contain the date and hour of the application, the applicant's driver's license number or identification card number, a description of the firearm including the make, model, caliber, and manufacturer's number, a statement that the purchaser is eligible to purchase the firearm under state and federal law, and a statement that the purchaser has completed a recognized firearm safety training program within the last five years.
PRO: There are two main components of this bill. There is a waiting period requirement which would prevent impulse buying of firearms. Many young people can purchase firearms quickly and use them in mass shootings or impulsive suicides. There is evidence that purchase waiting periods attached to permit requirements reduce impulsive suicides by firearm. Washington requires a waiting period for semi-automatic rifles. This bill would apply the same safeguards for all gun purchases. This bill is necessary to ensure background checks are full and complete. Eight people a day die from unintentional shootings caused by insecurely stored firearms. The gun safety training will ensure that people who own guns do not accidentally shoot other people. There are concerns whether firearm owners are getting the information they need about how to use them safely. Many gun owners access safety training voluntarily, but those who do not still deserve information about how to remain safe. This is a part of a set of bills to impose reasonable regulations. This is not an attempt to ban guns, but to set up a system that has responsibility built in. This will create greater safety for children in this country. The public cannot do the work of ending gun violence without support from legislators.
CON: It is crucial to respect the rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitution. This bill would have required 700,000 live fire courses if enacted last year. The wait times to complete them would be years, and Washington does not have the range space to hold these trainings. Costs of training can be over $200 , and the required number of days for this course load can cause financial burden. The requirements of this bill will restrict law abiding citizens ability to exercise their second amendment right and will not effectively address the root causes of violence. Regulations on responsible gun owners may make communities less safe. The chance of death by firearm in non-suicide related incidents is extremely low. The Blake decision and laws passed in the last several years have restricted law enforcement's ability to protect citizens from criminal behavior. Citizens must be allowed to protect themselves from rampant crime. The requirement of written approval from the chief of police or the sheriff would be a waste of valuable time and resources, especially in rural counties. The focus should be on evidence-based interventions such as improving access to mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, addressing poverty and inequality, and strengthening communities. Violent crime is on the rise in Washington.