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Bill

HB 1903

Reporting lost or stolen firearms.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Emily Alvarado and 41 co-sponsors

Washington law requires firearm owners to report lost or stolen guns to law enforcement, effective June 2024, with penalties for non-compliance.

Effective date 6/6/2024.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1903

Legislative bill overview

HB 1903 requires Washington firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within a specified timeframe. The bill establishes penalties for failure to report and creates a legal mechanism for tracking missing weapons that could be used in crimes.

Why is this important

Lost or stolen firearms frequently enter the illegal weapons market and are used in violent crimes. Mandatory reporting requirements can help law enforcement trace guns used in crimes back to their original owners and potentially recover stolen weapons before they're used unlawfully.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Gun rights advocates argue mandatory reporting laws create unnecessary burdens on lawful owners and may infringe on constitutional rights
  • Implementation challenges: Questions about reasonable reporting timelines, burden on law enforcement to process reports, and whether penalties are proportionate to the offense
  • Privacy and enforcement: Concerns about how data will be stored, who has access, and whether reporting requirements could be used to create de facto gun registries

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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