Bill would add hefty requirements for WA firearms dealers
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, February 29th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Legislation passed by majority Democrats in the Washington Senate would require firearms dealers, including pawn shops and in-home gunsmiths, to add several expensive security enhancements and sets minimum insurance-coverage requirements.
House Bill 2118 forces these businesses to install costly audio/video surveillance systems with months of data storage, require employees to undergo yearly background checks and carry $1 million in liability insurance.
Sen. Perry Dozier (R-Waitsburg) believes these requirements will make it very difficult for the smaller firearms dealers to be able to stay in business. He explains just getting insurance alone is difficult, costly, and comes with a chance of being denied.
“That’s an automatic strike against you if you can’t get insurance,” he said.
Dozier also said no other industry in Washington is subject to the restrictions in this bill.
“Not even our pot shops that are out there, so this is an attack on one sector of our business,” he adds.
Dozier said this legislation is just another attempt by Democrats to take away Second Amendment rights.
“This isn’t where these firearms are coming from that are committing the crimes,” he said. “They aren’t stealing them from our small businesses.”
Because House Bill 2118 was changed in the Senate, it must return to the House, which must decide whether to agree with the change.
