OK....I’m a major gun enthusiast...but I’ve also gotten too old and too tired to keep up with these things. I thought all gun transfers (except father to son) required a background check as a result of Federal laws.
In simple English....what did this new law change, please?
You can’t even let a friend hold your gun ... it’s considered a transfer under the initiative and therefore a background check must be made.
Not true.
Private transfers and most gun show transfers did not require a background check prior to this new law in WA State. However, private transfers are continuing off the radar pretty much as always.
This is what I was told by a lawyer: Vertical transfers (father to son, daughter to grandma, etc.) are allowed. But horizontal transfers (son to nephew, etc.) are not.
It says a lot about federal law that there is so much murkiness here.
Per Federal Law: any interstate transfer (with few exceptions) must go through a FFL. Any sale by an FFL must be accompanied by a 4477. Private sales/transfers are not regulated by Federal law.
The Washington law was intrastate and was over and above the Federal statute, further regulating the transfer of firearms within the state.
No, the transfer of firearms between private citizens DOES NOT and NEVER HAS required a background check.
“Transfers” must now go through a Federally Licensed Dealer, and background check performed.
So, if I hand my gun to a friend in the woods, we’re both felons.
The Feds only require a background check on guns bought at retail gun shops and inside gun shows in some states. Private sales between individuals no.