• Weekly Report 1.22.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 1.22.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 1.29.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report   2.5.23— Read Here 
• Weekly Report  2.12.23—No report this week
• Weekly Report 2.19.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 2.26.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report   3.5.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 3.12.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 3.19.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 3.26.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report   4.2.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report   4.9.23— Read Here
• Weekly Report 4.16.23— Read Here
• Session Wrap-Up 4.30.23— Read Here

Bill Descriptions

HB 1143 Concerning requirements for the purchase or transfer of firearms, would require an approved safety training course within five years, fingerprinting, and background check in addition to a 10-day waiting period before a dealer can hand over a firearm. These requirements are similar to those for a concealed weapons permit. Fourteen states have similar requirements and have found that they have reduced fatalities by 14%. The requirements could also interrupt suicide attempts, which are often impulsive decisions. Suicides constitute 75% of gun deaths in Washington. Opponents say the requirements violate Second Amendment protections.

HB 1240 Establishing firearms-related safety measures to increase public safety, would essentially ban the manufacture, distribution, and purchase of assault-type weapons which have been used in most mass shootings. The weapons specified in the bill are variations of military weapons designed to kill as many persons as possible in the shortest time period. Washington would become the tenth state to ban assault weapons if the bill passes. This is the sixth year a ban on assault weapons has been proposed by the Attorney General.

HB 1562 Reducing the risks of lethality and other harm associated with gun violence, gender-based violence, and other types of violence. This bill concerns procedures regarding restoration of right to purchase firearms after period of revocation.

HB 1600 Providing access to sealed juvenile records for firearm purposes would allow any law enforcement agency access to sealed juvenile records but only for background check purposes regarding prior convictions and mental health checks before a person could purchase or transfer a firearm.

SB 5078 Protecting public safety by establishing duties of firearm industry members. This bill would allow individuals to sue gun manufacturers to sue for harm caused by a firearm. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to declare a product a public nuisance.

Bills That Died

HB 1144 Enhancing requirements for the purchase or transfer of firearms, would require background checks go through the Washington State Patrol rather than local law enforcement agencies.

HB 1178 Concerning local government authority to regulate firearms, would grant local government authority to regulate firearms and where they can be present. This would change the current pre-emption of firearms regulation. Opponents say that the bill would create a patchwork of regulations and gun owners would need to research restrictions in multiple jurisdictions. On the Pro side, different cities and towns have differing conditions regarding use of firearms.

HB 1195 Prohibiting the open carry of certain weapons in public parks and public hospitals.

SB 5232 Companion bill to HB 1144 above.

SB 5446 Companion bill to HB 1178 above.

SB 5265 Companion bill to HB 1240 above.

How To Be Involved

Please follow the weekly legislative newsletter and any action alerts. Contacting legislators as an individual can be impactful. If you are interested in researching and following a particular issue, please contact Pat Griffith at pgriffith@lwvwa.org.