House Bill 1501 Will Strengthen the Background Check System in Washington by Giving Law Enforcement More Tools to Keep Guns Out of the Hands of People Who Are Not Allowed to Have Them
SEATTLE – The Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today stood with Governor Inslee as he signed House Bill 1501, legislation that will make sure law enforcement is notified each time a person who is not allowed to have guns tries to purchase one and fails the background check – providing law enforcement with the information they need to arrest unlawful purchasers before they can get a gun another way. Victims of domestic violence will also have the opportunity to be notified if their abuser attempts to purchase a gun.
STATEMENT FROM SHAWN TERJESON, VOLUNTEER WITH THE WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“I’m proud of Governor Inslee’s decision to sign this bill, one that will make a real difference in the lives of many Washingtonians. Until today, when a person who’s not allowed to have guns attempted to buy one but was stopped by a background check – that information usually went nowhere. Now, House Bill 1501 will require law enforcement to be notified when unlawful purchasers try – and fail – to buy a gun. This information could help law enforcement prevent felons and domestic abusers from obtaining guns in other ways. I hope Washington’s elected officials in all levels of government follow Governor Inslee’s lead and continue to stand up for public safety.”