Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee
HB 1132
Brief Description: Enhancing public safety by limiting bulk purchases and transfers of firearms and ammunition.
Sponsors: Representatives Farivar, Ormsby, Ryu, Ramel, Berry, Mena, Alvarado, Reed, Parshley, Fitzgibbon, Callan, Macri, Obras, Doglio, Gregerson, Simmons, Peterson, Street, Goodman, Wylie, Pollet, Berg, Davis, Fosse, Salahuddin, Hill and Tharinger.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits firearm dealers from delivering more than one firearm to a purchaser or transferee within any 30-day period.
  • Prohibits firearm dealers from delivering more than 100 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition or more than 1,000 rounds of any other caliber of ammunition to a purchaser or transferee within any 30-day period.
Hearing Date: 1/21/25
Staff: John Burzynski (786-7133).
Background:

Washington regulates the purchase and transfer of firearms and ammunition, as well as the conduct of firearm dealers.? State law does not establish any maximum number of firearms or ammunition a dealer may deliver within a specific time period.

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A "dealer" is a person engaged in the business of selling firearms at wholesale or retail who has, or is required to have, a federal firearms license.? A person who does not have, and is not required to have, a federal firearms license, is not a dealer if that person makes only occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or sells all or part of his or her personal collection of firearms.?

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Federal law provides that no person may engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or importing or manufacturing ammunition, until the person has filed an application with and received a license from the Attorney General of the United States.
Summary of Bill:

Firearm dealers are prohibited from delivering more than one firearm, or more than 100 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition or more than 1,000 rounds of any other caliber of ammunition, to a purchaser or transferee within any 30-day period.?

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These restrictions are subject to exceptions and do not apply to qualifying:? (1) law enforcement agencies; (2) correctional facilities; (3) private security companies; (4) peace officers obtaining firearms or ammunition for law enforcement purposes; (5) the criminal justice training commission; (6) firearm dealers and importers obtaining firearms or ammunition for resale; (7) persons engaged in transfers exempt from background check requirements under state law; (8) firearm exchanges within 30 days of sale; (9) the return of a firearm to its owner; (10) receipt of a firearm by operation of law upon the death of the former owner; (11) private party transactions to relinquish all firearms pursuant to state law or court order; (12) certain private party transactions involving the transfer of a deceased person's firearms; and (13) licensed collectors with a current certificate of eligibility issued by the United States Department of Justice.

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A violation of these restrictions is a class 1 civil infraction subject to a $500 penalty.? If a person has been found to have previously violated this restriction, a repeat violation is a misdemeanor.? If a person has been found to have previously violated this restriction two or more times, a repeat violation is a gross misdemeanor.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.