By Dave Workman
A restrictive Washington gun control bill introduced in 2025 and still very much alive during this year’s 60-day session of the State Legislature in Olympia is reportedly moving, and could create major headaches for gun owners, the president of Washington Gun Law is warning in a new video.
Senate Bill 5098 passed out of the Senate last session, but gathered dust in the House of Representatives. But Washington Gun Law President William Kirk says in his video, “It is alive and well, it is ready to go and it will significantly and forever change where you can defend your life.”
If enacted in to law, the measure creates several new “gun-free” zones including “playgrounds or children’s play areas, sports fields, swim beaches or water play areas, teen centers, community centers or performing arts centers, skate parks, and other recreational facilities likely to be used by children or youth.”
Current language in the bill specifically exempts armed citizens with valid concealed pistol licenses (CPL), which Kirk carefully notes in his 6-minute message. He cautions that if the anti-gun Democrat-controlled Senate can move the bill within the first couple of weeks of the session, “there will be ample time to move it through the House,” and get it to Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk.
The original bill’s sponsors are Senators Javier Valdez, Rebecca Saldaña, Manka Dhingra, Noel Frame, T’wina Nobles, Tina Orwall, Jamie Pedersen, Jesse Salomon, Derek Stanford, Lisa Wellman, and Claire Wilson). All are Democrats.
Places which would not be covered by the prohibition are Washington State Department of Transportation properties and facilities such as:
- ferry terminals;
- ferry holding lanes;
- safety rest areas; and
- train depots used primarily by the general traveling public.
The state ferry system is part of the state highway system, and therefore guns cannot be banned. In such areas weapons must remain in locked cases or remain in a locked portion of a vehicle, but it does not appear this applies to a person with a valid CPL who is carrying his/her concealed sidearm.
A synopsis of the bill notes, “Exemptions. The newly added weapons prohibitions at park facilities where children are likely to be present, state or local public buildings, and county fairs do not apply to the activities of color guards and honor guards related to burial or interment ceremonies and permitted events where military rifle honors are customarily conducted or individuals who maintain a valid concealed pistol license.”
Also in the synopsis is this notation: “Weapons are prohibited on the premises of county fairs and county fair facilities during the hours of operation in which the fair is open to the public. “County fair” means fairs organized to serve the interests of single counties and are under county commissioner jurisdiction. This prohibition does not apply to gun shows operating on county fairgrounds.”
Kirk has another warning, pertaining to CPLs. He reminds viewers that a change in law last year with House Bill 1163 mandates that, starting May 1, 2027, anyone applying for a CPL must first take a safety course to include a live fire exercise. The same restriction will apply to anyone wanting to purchase a firearm in the state, which will require getting a permit to purchase from the State Patrol.
Kirk is incensed about this, explaining that HB 1163 “is going to convert your inalienable God-given right of self-preservation into a privilege that you must first get permission from the government.”
“It is offensive,” says Kirk, “that a person would have to pay a fee and undergo mandatory training and prove their worthiness before they could exercise their Second Amendment right when that is not required of any of our other civil liberties.”
What might derail all of this? On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Wolford v. Lopez, which challenges even tougher restrictions on guns in Hawaii. A ruling should come in late June.
Evergreen State gun rights activists are keeping a keen eye on the Facebook page for the 2026 Legislative Action Group for updates on all gun control legislation.
