By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has lobbied in the past for bans on so-called “assault weapons” and “large-capacity magazines,” is scheduled to “take action” Tuesday on House Bill 1163, the controversial “permit-to-purchase” legislation which gun rights groups have already vowed to challenge in court.
Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1163 as passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature, requires new gun buyers to show proof of having completed a certified firearms safety training program within the previous five years. The training course must include:
- Basic firearms safety rules;
- Firearms and children, including secure gun storage and talking to children about gun safety;
- Firearms and suicide prevention;
- Secure gun storage to prevent unauthorized access and use;
- Safe handling of firearms;
- State and federal firearms laws, including prohibited firearms transfers and locations where firearms are prohibited; State laws pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense;
- Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution; 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.
Gun rights organizations including the National Rifle Association, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and others contend requiring a permit to exercise a constitutionally-protected fundamental right is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.
The 39-page bill will take effect on May 1, 2027, presumably to provide time for citizens in the state to seek and obtain the required training, which could cost several hundred dollars. Opponents argue this mandate places the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms beyond the financial ability of low-income wage earners and retired persons.
The training requirements will also apply to those persons applying for or renewing their concealed pistol licenses. The state currently shows more than 700,000 active CPLs in the state.
According to the bill text, “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.”
As word of this bill signing ceremony spread across social media, gun owners expressed their fury and frustration with Democrats.
