GIFFORDS applauds Washington for passing lifesaving permit-to-purchase law

WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, applauded Washington lawmakers and Governor Ferguson for passing a permit-to-purchase bill into law. This lifesaving measure from gun violence prevention champion Rep. Liz Berry will require prospective gun buyers to obtain a permit before purchasing a firearm and will ensure background checks occur before the gun is sold. 

“With a permit-to-purchase bill in place, Washington will be a safer state for everyone,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS. “We know that this commonsense law leads to significant decreases in firearm homicides and mass shootings. It will protect not only citizens but also police in the line of duty. GIFFORDS applauds Washington lawmakers and Governor Ferguson for passing this critical and lifesaving law.”

In states across the country, permit-to-purchase laws have saved countless lives. One study of 80 large urban counties found that this law is associated with an 11% decrease in firearm homicides. Additional research found that when Connecticut passed a permit-to-purchase law, its firearm homicide rate decreased by 28%, and its firearm suicide rate decreased by 33%.