House Bill 1501 Seeks to Strengthen the Background Check System in Washington by Giving Law Enforcement More Tools to Keep Guns Out of 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 applauded the legislature for passing House Bill 1501, legislation that would 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 would also have the opportunity to be notified if their abuser attempts to purchase a gun. The bill now heads to Governor Inslee’s desk.
STATEMENT FROM LAURA LATTA, VOLUNTEER WITH THE WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“House Bill 1501 is common-sense legislation that will protect public safety by enforcing the existing law and giving law enforcement the tools they need to do their job. Currently, when a person who’s not allowed to have guns attempts to buy one but is stopped by a background check – that information may go nowhere. This is a potentially fatal gap. House Bill 1501 would require law enforcement 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. We’re proud of our lawmakers for working to strengthen our gun laws and for standing up for the safety of our families and communities. I urge Governor Inslee to prioritize House Bill 1501 and sign it into law.”