Regional News

Sutherland introduces bill to amend background check provisions for concealed pistol license holders

Feb 05, 2019

Rep. Robert J. Sutherland, R-Granite Falls, has introduced a bill establishing an exemption from background check requirements for firearm sales or transfers between concealed pistol license (CPL) holders.

Under current statue (RCW 9.41.113), if a CPL holder wants to sell or transfer a firearm to another CPL holder, a secondary background check must be conducted.

Sutherland's bill would amend current statute to allow Washington state residents who hold concealed pistol licenses to sell or trade firearms amongst each other without an additional background check.

“Second amendment rights, and ensuring these rights aren't infringed upon, are one of my main priorities. This bipartisan bill is about lifting the redundant background check provision in current law,” said Sutherland. “Currently, if you go to a friend's house and you both hold a CPL, it's illegal for you to transfer a firearm amongst each other. I'd like to get rid of this regulation. CPL holders are law-abiding citizens who have already successfully proven they are fit to have a firearm. It is totally unnecessary to have them go through a redundant background check just to sell or transfer a firearm amongst one another.”

Sutherland believes that by amending current statute, law enforcement will be less burdened by conducting redundant background checks on law-abiding citizens and can focus their attention on those people who need to be primarily vetted through the background process.

House Bill 1649 has been referred to the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee where it awaits a public hearing.

The 105-day 2019 legislative session is scheduled to end April 28.