Costly, ineffective, and likely unconstitutional overreach

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House Bill 1163 is a deeply flawed proposal that imposes restrictions on law-abiding citizens while doing little to prevent crime or enhance public safety. By adding new permit requirements, excessive recordkeeping mandates, and increased regulatory burdens, this bill disproportionately impacts responsible gun owners without addressing the root causes of firearm-related violence.

Government overreach and data collection concerns: HB 1163 establishes extensive statewide recordkeeping and mandates annual verification of permit holders, effectively creating a de facto gun registry. Such a system could be misused for increased government surveillance and potential firearm confiscation efforts in the future. Gun registries have historically done little to prevent crime but have given the government excessive oversight of lawful gun owners—an intrusion that many Washingtonians rightfully oppose.

Does not address criminal gun activity: This proposal focuses entirely on increasing regulations for law-abiding citizens while ignoring the real issue—violent criminals who obtain firearms illegally. Criminals do not follow permit laws, submit to background checks, or attend mandatory training programs. Instead of making communities safer, this bill diverts resources away from enforcing existing gun laws and cracking down on illegal firearm trafficking.

Likely violates the Washington State Constitution: Washington's state constitution explicitly protects the right to bear arms, stating in Article I, Section 24: "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired." By imposing excessive barriers to firearm ownership—including costly permit fees, training requirements, and an extensive bureaucratic process—HB 1163 could be seen as infringing upon this constitutional right. If challenged in court, the bill may not withstand legal scrutiny under Washington’s constitution.

A massive bureaucratic expansion with a high price tag: The financial burden of HB 1163 is staggering. The total cost of the program is projected at $10,445,000 in the current biennium and $26,258,000 in the next. While the bill does not specify permit fee amounts, it mandates that the entire program must be paid for by firearm owners through permit fees. This effectively creates a hidden tax on constitutional rights, making firearm ownership more expensive and difficult for law-abiding citizens.

Unfair burdens on rural gun owners: The bill requires individuals to complete a certified firearm safety training program before purchasing a firearm. While this may seem reasonable on the surface, the reality is that many rural residents have limited or no access to state-certified training programs. This places an undue burden on gun owners in these areas, effectively restricting their right to self-defense simply because of where they live.

House Bill 1163 is a deeply flawed proposal that imposes restrictions on law-abiding citizens while doing little to prevent crime or enhance public safety. By adding new permit requirements, excessive recordkeeping mandates, and increased regulatory burdens, this bill disproportionately impacts responsible gun owners without addressing the root causes of firearm-related violence.

Government overreach and data collection concerns: HB 1163 establishes extensive statewide recordkeeping and mandates annual verification of permit holders, effectively creating a de facto gun registry. Such a system could be misused for increased government surveillance and potential firearm confiscation efforts in the future. Gun registries have historically done little to prevent crime but have given the government excessive oversight of lawful gun owners—an intrusion that many Washingtonians rightfully oppose.

Does not address criminal gun activity: This proposal focuses entirely on increasing regulations for law-abiding citizens while ignoring the real issue—violent criminals who obtain firearms illegally. Criminals do not follow permit laws, submit to background checks, or attend mandatory training programs. Instead of making communities safer, this bill diverts resources away from enforcing existing gun laws and cracking down on illegal firearm trafficking.

Likely violates the Washington State Constitution: Washington's state constitution explicitly protects the right to bear arms, stating in Article I, Section 24: "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired." By imposing excessive barriers to firearm ownership—including costly permit fees, training requirements, and an extensive bureaucratic process—HB 1163 could be seen as infringing upon this constitutional right. If challenged in court, the bill may not withstand legal scrutiny under Washington’s constitution.

A massive bureaucratic expansion with a high price tag: The financial burden of HB 1163 is staggering. The total cost of the program is projected at $10,445,000 in the current biennium and $26,258,000 in the next. While the bill does not specify permit fee amounts, it mandates that the entire program must be paid for by firearm owners through permit fees. This effectively creates a hidden tax on constitutional rights, making firearm ownership more expensive and difficult for law-abiding citizens.

Unfair burdens on rural gun owners: The bill requires individuals to complete a certified firearm safety training program before purchasing a firearm. While this may seem reasonable on the surface, the reality is that many rural residents have limited or no access to state-certified training programs. This places an undue burden on gun owners in these areas, effectively restricting their right to self-defense simply because of where they live.

Page last updated: 19 Mar 2025, 09:34 AM