The House was busy on the topic of firearms last week, with public hearings for five bills addressing firearms in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary. All five bills are scheduled for a committee vote this Friday.

A bill that would allow local governments to regulate firearms is on the table. HB 1178, sponsored by Rep. David Hackney (D–Seattle), garnered significant support and raised some opponents as well. Its companion bill, SB 5446 sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen (D–Seattle), has not yet been scheduled for committee. The bill would repeal the preemption that currently does not allow local jurisdictions from adopting laws relating to firearms and limiting local regulation of firearms.

HB 1195, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D–Mercer Island), would prohibit open carry in public parks and public hospitals.

The House is also considering an assault weapons ban, which would prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of any assault weapon. HB 1240 is sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson (D–Edmonds) and was requested by the Offices of the Governor and the Attorney General.

The House is also looking at two bills that would require a permit to purchase firearms:

• HB 1143, sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry (D–Seattle), was a Governor request bill and would require a permit to purchase firearms. The permit includes an enhanced background check with a 10-day waiting period and includes a requirement for proof of safety training. It has a companion bill, SB 5211, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D–Edmonds), that has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.
• HB 1144, sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry (D–Seattle), would also require a permit to purchase firearms and includes a requirement that purchasers complete a safety training. Its companion bill, SB 5232, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D–Shoreline), also has not been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate.

In the Senate:

SB 5078, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D–Seattle), was a request bill from the Offices of the Governor and Attorney General. The bill would establish firearm manufacturer responsibility, requiring firearm industry members to establish, implement, and enforce reasonable controls regarding the manufacture, sale, distribution, import, use, and marketing of firearms and related products and would create a private right of action for individuals who suffered harm from a violation of these duties. It would also authorize the attorney general to investigate violations of industry members’ duties. The bill passed out of the Senate Law & Justice committee.

An amended version of SB 5006, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D–Seattle), clarifying waiver of firearm rights was voted on last week. It would create a new civil infraction for having a firearm after filing a voluntary waiver of firearm rights.

A full list of all of the firearms bills introduced this session can be found on the Legislature’s website.

Dates to remember

HB 1143, HB 1144, HB 1178, HB 1195, and HB 1240 are scheduled for executive session in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Friday, January 27 at 10:30 am.