wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > HB 1872 > Original Bill
The legislature acknowledges that the Washington state Constitution guarantees a higher level of protection for our civil liberties than does our federal Constitution. Article I, section 3 guarantees that "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."
Moreover, Article I, section 7 states that "No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law," and Article I, section 24 provides that "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired."
Furthermore, the legislature finds that reasonable exemptions from restrictions on firearms rights promote the safe and responsible use of firearms. The legislature also finds that by expanding exemptions from restrictions on firearms rights for persons providing safety classes or engaging in shooting sports, current and retired peace officers, active duty military personnel, veterans, and valid concealed pistol license holders, all contribute to creating safer communities.
Lastly, the legislature concludes that expanding exemptions from restrictions on access to so-called excess capacity magazines and assault weapons, and exempting certain individuals from current law background check waiting periods, who have already been subject to background checks, will serve to promote respect for the appropriate storage, maintenance, handling, and use of firearms, by a well-trained citizenry.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a licensed dealer may not deliver any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until:
The results of all required background checks are known and the purchaser or transferee (a) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under federal or state law and (b) does not have a voluntary waiver of firearm rights currently in effect;
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Ten business days have elapsed from the date the licensed dealer requested the background check; and
(a) of this subsection does not apply to any authorized individual.
No person in this state may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any assault weapon, except as authorized in this section.
Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
The manufacture, importation, distribution, offer for sale, or sale of an assault weapon by a licensed firearms manufacturer for the purposes of sale to any branch of the armed forces of the United States or the state of Washington, or to any law enforcement agency for use by that agency or its employees , or to any authorized individual, or to a person who does not reside in this state;
The importation, distribution, offer for sale, or sale of an assault weapon by a dealer that is properly licensed under federal and state law for the purpose of sale to any branch of the armed forces of the United States or the state of Washington, or to a law enforcement agency in this state for use by that agency or its employees , or to any authorized individual;
The distribution, offer for sale, or sale of an assault weapon to or by a dealer that is properly licensed under federal and state law where the dealer acquires the assault weapon from an individual legally authorized to possess or transfer the assault weapon for the purpose of selling or transferring the assault weapon to a person who does not reside in this state. The purpose of this section is to allow individuals who no longer wish to own an assault weapon to sell their assault weapon and is not intended to allow Washington dealers to purchase assault weapons wholesale for the purpose of selling a stock or inventory of assault weapons online or in person to nonresidents;
The out-of-state sale or transfer of the existing stock of assault weapons owned by a licensed dealer that was acquired prior to January 1, 2023, for the limited period of 90 days after April 25, 2023; or
The receipt of an assault weapon by a person who, on or after April 25, 2023, acquires possession of the assault weapon by operation of law upon the death of the former owner who was in legal possession of the assault weapon, provided the person in possession of the assault weapon can establish such provenance. Receipt under this subsection (2)(e) is not "distribution" under this chapter. A person who legally receives an assault weapon under this subsection (2)(e) may not sell or transfer the assault weapon to any other person in this state other than to a licensed dealer, to a federally licensed gunsmith for the purpose of service or repair, or to a law enforcement agency for the purpose of permanently relinquishing the assault weapon.
For the purposes of this section, "law enforcement agency" means any (a) general authority Washington law enforcement agency as defined in RCW 10.93.020; (b) limited authority Washington law enforcement agency as defined in RCW 10.93.020; or (c) equivalent federal, state, or local law enforcement agency in the United States.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
No person in this state may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any large capacity magazine, except as authorized in this section.
Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
The manufacture, importation, distribution, offer for sale, or sale of a large capacity magazine by a licensed firearms manufacturer for the purposes of sale to any branch of the armed forces of the United States or the state of Washington, or to a law enforcement agency in this state for use by that agency or its employees , or to any authorized individual;
The importation, distribution, offer for sale, or sale of a large capacity magazine by a dealer that is properly licensed under federal and state law for the purpose of sale to any branch of the armed forces of the United States or the state of Washington, or to a law enforcement agency in this state for use by that agency or its employees , or to any authorized individual;
The distribution, offer for sale, or sale of a large capacity magazine to or by a dealer that is properly licensed under federal and state law where the dealer acquires the large capacity magazine from a person legally authorized to possess or transfer the large capacity magazine for the purpose of selling or transferring the large capacity magazine to a person who does not reside in this state.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.