Washington looks to close gun show loophole

OLYMPIA – Washington may soon join 17 other states in passing common sense legislation that requires unlicensed gun dealers to perform background checks at gun shows.

“A background check is required under federal law to buy a gun in a retail store. So why on earth do we let people avoid background checks by purchasing firearms at a gun show?” asked Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5197. “Closing the gun show loophole will help us better enforce our current gun laws.”

Under current law, Washingtonians can buy and sell firearms at gun shows from unlicensed dealers who are not required to perform background checks that screen for felonies and domestic violence convictions. Such screening is mandatory in retail stores, and SB 5197 would extend the current background check requirement to include gun show dealers.

“Seventeen states now offer this protection to their residents,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, who chairs the committee that will hear the bill. “It’s time that Washington joined their ranks to cut down on the purchase of guns by those who have no business owning them. We need to keep guns out of the hands of those whose criminal backgrounds pose a threat to public safety.”

“It’s fair to say that criminals have gotten more sophisticated, and have learned to go shopping where no questions are asked,” said Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, a cosponsor of the bill. “It’s time we asked questions.”

Approximately 70 gun shows take place in Washington each year, and between 25 percent and 50 percent of participating vendors are not required to perform background checks.

The Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee will hold a public hearing on SB 5197 at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in Senate Hearing Room 4 of the John A. Cherberg Building in Olympia. The committee plans to hear testimony from two panels in favor of the bill, and two panels opposed to it.

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