Attorney General Nick Brown made a persuasive argument before the Senate Committee on Law & Justice, testifying in favor of the "permit to purchase" legislation, HB 1163. As reported by Washington’s Attorney General's Office, Brown emphasized the bill's potential to reduce illegal gun purchases by introducing comprehensive safety measures and background checks that align with state and federal laws. "This policy gives us the tools we need to ensure gun buyers aren’t doing so illegally under existing state and federal laws," Brown stated, highlighting the critical period between the decision to buy a firearm and its acquisition.
The proposed legislation aims to enhance firearm safety by mandating applicants to undergo State Patrol-certified training, which includes live-fire exercises designed to ensure practical proficiency. Supporting the bill's urgent need, Senate Law & Justice Committee Chair Manka Dhingra pointed to the data: "Research and data clearly show that permit-to-purchase programs reduce gun-related deaths, curb gun trafficking, and improve law enforcement officer safety. This bill will save lives," Dhingra told the Attorney General's Office.
HB 1163 is not merely about training; it institutes rigorous background checks at the permit acquisition stage and the point of sale, along with an annual review to confirm ongoing eligibility. According to the bill's primary advocate, House Rep. Liz Berry, the legislation is deeply personal and a critical societal issue. "Gun violence is the number one cause of death for our kids. Not disease, not vehicular collisions, not drugs. As a mom of two little kids, and having lost someone I love to gun violence, this is personal to me," said Berry, as reported by the Attorney General's Office.
