By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
With the Democrat-controlled Washington Legislature set to convene Jan. 8 at the state capitol in Olympia, more than 20 Democrats have already pre-filed a bill to require would-be gun purchasers to first obtain a permit-to-purchase, after first taking a firearms safety course involving a live fire exercise.
House Bill 1902 does not have a single Republican sponsor. In addition to the permit-to-purchase mandate, the legislation would create a “state firearms background check system account” to be “the custody” of the state treasurer. Translation: This will add costs to gun buyers and build revenue for the state background check.
Sponsors of HB1902 are Representatives Emily Alvarado, Liz Berry, Lisa Callan, Lauren Davis, Beth Doglio, Davina Duerr, Darya Farivar, Joe Fitzgibbon, Roger Goodman, David Hackney, Sharlett Mena, Greg Nance, Strom Peterson, Gerry Pollet, Julia Reed, Kristine Reeves, Cindy Ryu, Tana Senn, Tarra Simmons, Monica Jurado Stonier, Chipalo Street, Jamila Taylor, Hy-Linh Thai, and Amy Walen.
There are already predictions the bill, if it becomes law, will be quickly challenged in court on constitutional grounds.
Rep. Berry, a Seattle Democrat, proposed a permit bill earlier this year but it was pulled. At the time, she was quoted by the Daily Olympian justifying her proposal by equating the right to bear arms with driving or sport fishing, both of which are regulated state privileges.
“We require training and a license to drive a car or go fishing, it’s just common sense to require a license for purchasing a firearm,” she said. “Permit to purchase helps to make sure that guns are only purchased by responsible individuals by requiring an identity verification, completed background check and safety training.”
Article 1, Section 24 of the Washington state constitution says, “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this Section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
Opposition is already building among grassroots Second Amendment activists at the Facebook page for the Washington 2024 Legislative Action Group, which has more than 12,500 members.
A companion bill has also been pre-filed. House Bill 1903 is a much shorter piece of legislation, requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours after their loss has been discovered. This bill includes a fine of up to $1,000 for violating the reporting deadline. In addition to many of the same sponsors as HB 1902, this one is also sponsored by Reps. Shelley Kloba and Mary Fosse.
