Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, continues to voice strong opposition to House Bill 1163, calling the proposed firearms permitting law “a blatant and dangerous assault on constitutional rights.” Despite his broader objections to the bill, one amendment sponsored by Fortunato was adopted by the Senate.
HB 1163 would require Washington residents to obtain a permit to purchase any firearm. The application process includes live-fire safety training, fingerprinting, submission of personal data, a background check, and the payment of multiple fees. Fortunato argues the bill violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as stronger protections found in the Washington State Constitution.
“This is not just bad policy, it’s unconstitutional,” Fortunato said. “The government cannot convert a fundamental right into a privilege that must be bought, licensed, and approved by bureaucrats. If you have to ask for permission, it’s not a right.”
Under the bill, the Washington State Patrol would administer the permitting system, issue permits or denials, and track permit holders over time. The legislation includes annual eligibility reviews and mandates data sharing between health institutions, law enforcement, and the background check program.
Fortunato’s amendments to exempt concealed carry holders and to reimburse costs should the bill be ruled unconstitutional, similar to what was done in the Blake decision, were rejected by the other side of the aisle.
“This bill won’t stop criminals. It will only make it harder for law-abiding citizens, especially victims of domestic violence and working-class Washingtonians, to protect themselves,” said Fortunato. “Criminals don’t wait for permits or take classes. This is about control, not safety.”
Fortunato raised concerns that the measure would disproportionately impact low-income residents and put additional burdens on victims of domestic violence where access to certified firearms instructors is limited and time off for mandated training can be burdensome.
Of the 15 Republican amendments offered to address the burdensome training, only one Fortunato amendment was accepted to exempt armed private investigators and armed security guards who already have to pass similar training requirements as police officers.
“The Legislature is playing politics with public safety while ignoring the real drivers of gun violence, crime, not legal gun ownership,” he said. “If they were serious about protecting people, they’d be funding law enforcement and fixing the broken court system.”
Fortunato also warned that HB 1163 could open the door to expensive legal challenges, citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that overturned similar laws in other states.
“This kind of overreach gets struck down in court and wastes taxpayer money,” Fortunato added. “Washingtonians deserve better than unconstitutional showboating from Olympia.”
