Sen. Phil Fortunato has cosponsored legislation in the first week of session to protect the privacy of concealed pistol license holders in Washington. Senate Bill 6173 would clarify state disclosure laws concerning information of concealed pistol license holders. The state Department of Licensing recently asked the less-than-gun-friendly state attorney general for guidance on whether the personal information of concealed pistol license holders is subject to the state’s public disclosure laws.

“I am very concerned that the privacy of law-abiding citizens will be infringed,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “I predicted before the session that anti-gun legislators who now control of all levels of state government could be problematic for gun owners in our state. The fact that a state agency is seeking this guidance when state law is clear necessitates legislative action.”

Current state law “exempts copies or records applications for concealed pistol licenses,” as noted in the Department of Licensing’s letter to the AG.

“If these anti-gun advocates are bent on invading people’s privacy, and the attorney general obliges, I think it is fitting that his personal information should be released,” said Fortunato.