Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a background check system for firearms transfers.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Washington state patrol background check unit to serve as a centralized point of contact for dealers to conduct background checks on applicants for firearm sales or transfers required under the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that dealers will be able to contact the Washington state patrol unit through a web portal or other electronic means, or by telephone to request a background check on an applicant (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a fee for dealers to charge each firearm purchaser or transferee in order to perform a background check that does not exceed $18 (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual who has been denied a firearm purchase or transfer as the result of a background check to appeal the denial to the Washington state patrol and to obtain information on the basis for the denial (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Washington state patrol to report every instance when a firearm is denied as a result of a background check to the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the attempted purchase or transfer took place (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a background check system for firearms transfers.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Washington state patrol background check unit to serve as a centralized point of contact for dealers to conduct background checks on applicants for firearm sales or transfers required under the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that dealers will be able to contact the Washington state patrol unit through a web portal or other electronic means, or by telephone to request a background check on an applicant (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a fee for dealers to charge each firearm purchaser or transferee in order to perform a background check that does not exceed $18 (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual who has been denied a firearm purchase or transfer as the result of a background check to appeal the denial to the Washington state patrol and to obtain information on the basis for the denial (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Washington state patrol to report every instance when a firearm is denied as a result of a background check to the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the attempted purchase or transfer took place (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text