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We submitted an Eligibility Report to the Legislature. This report is about the eligibility of individuals to possess firearms RCW 9.41.139. We will work with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to collect this data. They are creating a new background check unit and expect to complete it in 2023. We will wait until the unit is complete to collect the data.
We maintain records of firearms transactions. We can’t provide data about how law enforcement is conducting their CPL business. Please contact them by phone or email to:
WSP is looking for volunteers for a focus group on their background check system. If you are a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) or representative and want to volunteer, email NICSRequest@wsp.wa.gov or Kateri Candee.
A new law passed this year (HB 2467) required the Washington State Patrol to create a new centralized background check unit. Because of this, we have made the decision to stop further activity of the FMP. It will allow us to explore a partnership with WSP and their new requirements. We will keep all the pre-FMP data to use for this partnership.
We thank all those who participated in this work.
We're receiving calls about CPLs and Firearm sales during the Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation. Please understand that we're only the record keeper of licenses and data. We have no authority over CPL issuance or firearms. If you have questions about CPLs, please check the website of the issuing Law Enforcement Agency in your county. Many firearm businesses are closed due to the proclamation.
For more information, please visit our Essential Business Q&A page.
We got 2 bills approved by the legislature and impact how we do business:
We concluded our evaluations and look forward to demos by the prospective vendors.
We released a Request for Proposal (RFP) on January 23, 2020 for a new Firearms system. We plan to select a vendor by April. We have completed behind the scenes requirements and business rules. When we sign the contract, our vendor can hit the ground running with our requirements.
Legislative session started in January and runs until March 12, 2020. We are watching some bills related to firearms and will post an update here if any of them pass.
Reminder: Firearm dealers must collect the SAR fee with sales and transfers. This fee must match and balance when you submit paperwork to us.
Thanks to those of you from law enforcement and dealers who offered to test for us. We're building a system to replace Firearms Online. Our goal is to replace the current system with something more robust, versatile, and reliable. Your feedback has been crucial to make a system that meets your needs, as our business partners.
Initiative 1639 (approved by voters in 2018) created a new requirement for us (RCW 9.41.139). We must develop a process for doing routine checks on who's eligible to possess firearms by July 2020.
We have formed a team to address this, including:
Washington voters approved Initiative 1639 in 2018. I-1639 requires firearms dealers to report any transfer of a SAR and collect a fee from customers. Department of Licensing holds records on firearms for law enforcement.
We have a new firearm transfer application for:
The dealer and the buyer must each fill in parts of the form. Dealers can fill in their portion once and reuse an electronic copy with multiple customers. Read our tutorial or review our video (YouTube.com) for help getting started.
Upon transfer of a semiautomatic rifle, dealers must submit the transfer form and a fee to us. The amount of the fee will be finalized after the adoption of rules.
Semiautomatic assault rifle transfers require a paper form, along with the associated fee. Mail completed forms to the PO Box listed on the form. Be sure to select the PO Box for the type of transfer you are reporting.
Visit the Attorney General's list of frequently asked questions.
Email us: firearms@dol.wa.gov
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