Washington Becomes Latest State to Enact Permit-to-Purchase Law
Thirteen states plus Washington, D.C. have now passed some form of Firearm Purchaser Licensing.
Photo: ©Josh Fields via Canva.com
Washington has officially become the latest state to enact a permit-to-purchase law, also known as Firearm Purchaser Licensing.
Photo: TVW, Washington's Public Affairs Network
Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1163 into law today, establishing a system based in research evidence designed to ensure that only individuals who meet clear safety standards can buy firearms in the state. This progress follows tireless work from state lawmakers and years of advocacy from gun violence prevention organizations including the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, a member of the Safer States Initiative Network.
Washington now becomes the thirteenth state plus Washington, D.C. to pass some form of Firearm Purchaser Licensing. These systems are not only effective at reducing gun violence within a state, but they also help prevent the diversion of firearms to surrounding states and the illegal gun market. By creating accountability for both buyers and sellers, Firearm Purchaser Licensing laws address firearm access at a critical point: before the gun is purchased.
“The data consistently shows that Firearm Purchaser Licensing will save lives,” said Center co-director Cass Crifasi, PhD ‘14, MPH. "Today, Washington followed the science to make the state a safer place for all."
The Center’s team collaborated with state advocates and lawmakers by sharing translated research and data to support this policy. Crifasi joined Delaware Attorney General, Kathy Jennings, at a roundtable hosted by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility to answer questions about the legislation for lawmakers. Members of the team including Crifasi, Alex McCourt, PhD, JD, MPH, and Elizabeth Wagner, ScM offered testimony in favor of the bill.
Research suggests that states that have adopted similar Firearm Purchaser Licensing laws show significant reductions in gun violence. One study from researchers at the Center found that Connecticut’s licensing law was associated with a 28% reduction in firearm homicide and a 33% reduction in firearm suicide.
“If Washington had adopted a law like Connecticut’s in 1995, an estimated 1,200 gun deaths could have been prevented over a ten-year period,” Wagner stated in her testimony.
In February, the Center released Firearm Purchaser Licensing: Research Evidence to Inform State Policy. Using available data from research studying the impact of these policies, the report laid out five recommendations for effective Firearm Purchaser Licensing laws: proof of firearms safety training, an in-person step, submitting fingerprinting, comprehensive background checks and waiting periods. Washington’s law satisfies all recommendations. It is scheduled to take effect in May 2027.
“Washington’s new law reflects the commitment of local advocates to a public health approach to gun violence prevention,” said Kelly Roskam, JD, director of law and policy at the Center. “Firearm Purchaser Licensing is one of the most effective tools we have for reducing gun deaths.”
Public opinion strongly supports these measures. National polling conducted by the Center shows that 72% of Americans support handgun purchaser licensing laws, including more than 60% of gun owners.
The Center applauds the efforts of Washington’s lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and public health professionals who helped bring this law to life. This is a major step forward in the movement to build safer communities both in Washington and nationwide.
To support permit-to-purchase laws and other effective gun violence prevention strategies in your state, connect with local organizations through our Safer States Initiative Network.
