Effective May 1, 2027, Washington State will require a Permit‑to‑Purchase for firearms—adding to its growing list of gun control measures
Why It Matters
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Washington joins 12 other states with similar permitting systems, a move backed by Johns Hopkins research linking these laws to lower gun violence
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Supporters say permits will help keep lethal weapons out of dangerous hands.
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Critics—especially gun rights groups—warn of constitutional overreach and plan legal challenges
Key Provisions
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Fingerprints required
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Certified gun safety course, including live fire practice
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Dealers barred from selling firearms without a valid permit starting 2027
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Projected applications: ~200,000 in Year 1, then about 100,000 annually
They will also have to submit a fee and application to the Washington State Patrol.Exceptions to the training requirement will be made for police officers and military members, as well as licensed private investigators and security guards who carry firearms. Once granted, a permit will be good for five years.
The fine print
Under the law, starting May 1, 2027, gun dealers in Washington won’t be able to sell a firearm to someone unless the buyer has a valid purchasing permit.
- The State Patrol will certify which firearms courses meet the training requirements. (They must involve firing at least 50 rounds of ammunition.)
- Once the training has been completed, the State Patrol must approve applications unless the person is restricted from owning a firearm for another reason, like having an outstanding arrest warrant or being subject to a no-contact order.
- Permits will be revoked if a person later becomes prohibited from owning a firearm, such as through a new criminal conviction or a court order.