In 2025, Washington passed a law requiring individuals who purchase or receive firearms to obtain a permit to purchase. Effective May 1, 2027, this new law will require a person to apply for a permit to purchase firearms with the Washington state patrol by submitting a permit application with fingerprints and a certificate of completion of a firearms safety training program. No gun dealer may transfer a firearm to a person unless that person displays a permit.¹

The Washington state patrol will conduct a background check and generally has 30 days to issue or deny the permit. If an application for a permit to purchase firearms is denied, the Washington state patrol must send the applicant a written notice of the denial stating the specific grounds on which the permit to purchase firearms is denied. The Washington state patrol must verify on an annual basis that persons who have been issued a permit remain eligible to possess firearms. If a person is determined to be ineligible, the Washington state patrol must revoke the permit.² A person whose permit is revoked or denied can seek review of the decision in a court. The permit is otherwise generally valid for five years. Every year, the Washington state patrol must submit to the state legislature a report about these permits.³

The requires safety training course must at a minimum, include instruction on: