A showdown is looming in the Washington State Senate, where Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1163 has been sent following passage by the House on a party line vote of 58-38 over the weekend.
This measure, if it becomes law—which seems likely at this point—will require proof of state-approved firearms safety training, including a live fire exercise, in order to obtain a permit-to-purchase a firearm in the Evergreen State. The same requirement will apply to people applying for a concealed pistol license (CPL), after the law would take effect Nov. 1, 2026.
Grassroots Second Amendment activists are furious, with many insisting this is unconstitutional under both the U.S. Second Amendment and Article 1, Section 24 of the State Constitution.
During floor debate, State Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Grays Harbor) declared, “First, it violates your due process rights. That’s Article 1, Section 3 of the Washington State Constitution. Second, it violates your privacy rights. That’s Article 1, Section 7, and third, it violates your rights to defend yourself with a firearm.”
According to the Washington State Standard, HB 1163’s supporters insist it will prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands. The Standard quoted bill sponsor Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle) insisting, “We know this policy works.”
Her colleague, Rep. Darya Farivar, another Seattle Democrat, asserted the measure, if it becomes law, “will bring a greater sense of safety to neighborhoods,” as reported by the Standard.
“They keep us up,” she said of gunshots in her neighborhood. “They confine us to our homes as an unofficial curfew. This legislation will lift that unofficial curfew and let us sleep.”
As noted by MyNorthwest.com, “Prospective gun owners must also complete a state-recognized firearm safety training course within the past five years to qualify for a permit. In addition, the bill mandates enhanced background checks conducted through the Washington State Patrol’s firearms background check program, which will consult both state and federal databases to determine an applicant’s eligibility.”
If the bill passes and is signed into law, two things will likely happen. First, it will likely be immediately challenged in court. Indeed, the law could face multiple lawsuits, based on state and federal constitutional provisions.
Secondly, it will put pressure on the state to create an approved safety training course and make sure there are instructors and facilities available to handle possibly 100,000 people, and likely more, who need to take the course in a timely manner.
Also, according to MyNorthwest.com, “Under the bill, firearm dealers must maintain detailed records of all firearm transfers and report permit and licensing information to state authorities. Law enforcement agencies will be given the ability to delay firearm transfers in cases where additional background verification is deemed necessary.”
This might be interpreted as establishing a state gun registry.
The Washington State Standard noted, “In 2024, the state patrol got about 250,000 requests for firearm background checks. Of those, troopers denied about 3,400. Approximately half were appealed. Two-thirds of those appeals were successful.”
The Washington 2025 Legislative Action Group discussion became heated from the start. Members left observations such as this: “This is why we need (but will never get) a federal law that anytime an unconstitutional law gets passed every single lawmaker that signs it, state or federal, votes for it get removed from office immediately with loss of all pensions they would have had. Violate constitution, lose everything you gained by being in office. Yes, I know I’m dreaming!”
Another man stated, “From now till November 1st 2026 watch the amount of weapon sales and CPL’s with renewals skyrocket. I will definitely be renewing immediately and upgrading.”
A third asserted, “All gun laws not only an infringement, they only make more & more VICTIMS.”
And a fourth person predicted this law will be tied up in court for years.
