SPOKANE, Wash. — The way you buy a gun in Washington might soon change if the Governor signs a new bill into law.
Washington already enforces some of the toughest gun laws in the country, including background checks, waiting periods, and mandatory safety training.
House Bill 1163 aims to make gun laws stricter by requiring people to secure a permit and complete live-fire training before they can buy a gun.
The bill has been heavily scrutinized, with many arguing it violates constitutional rights by allowing the government to determine who can own a firearm.
“If somebody has to get a permit, somebody’s got to make the determination of if you are qualified? And how do you know that you’re qualified? What’s the procedure to get the training? Where are you going to get the training? It just gets really confusing,” said Tom Nihoul, President of the Spokane Gun Club.
Critics also claim it could leave those in rural areas and low-income individuals out of reach of owning a firearm.
“It makes it pretty impossible for people that can’t afford the training, that can’t take the time off work to do the live training, or to travel to a facility where there is live training,” said State Representative Suzanne Schmidt (R-Spokane Valley).
Supporters of the bill argue it would prevent guns from reaching criminals and ensure safe handling and storage by buyers, potentially saving lives. They claim that Washington has already implemented parts of a robust permitting system, which this bill would enhance.
However, Nihoul is not convinced. He said the bill could push people to find other ways to get guns.
“So maybe I go to my friend that’s got a gun and say, ‘Hey, won’t you sell me one of your guns?’ and go from there. That’s not the way of doing things either. So, I think they’re making it too hard for people that are good, upstanding citizens that want to have a gun,” he said.
A gun shop in Spokane said it anticipates further changes to the state’s gun laws with each legislative session.
Employees said they are currently prioritizing catching up on the updated laws from the past legislative session.
The bill has already passed both the Senate and House. It’s now on Governor Bob Ferguson’s desk for him to either sign it into law or send it back to the legislature.
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