(The Center Square) – The cost of a firearm background check fee is expected to climb in Washington if House Bill 2521 passes the Senate.
The bill, which removes the cap on fees the Washington State Patrol can charge for firearm background checks, cleared the House on Feb. 23.
The measure also expands how those fees can be used.
Critics say it could make legal firearm ownership unaffordable for many Washington residents.
During testimony on the bill, WSP Legislative Liaison Kimberly Mathis said WSP’s background check division relies on an $18 fee per application, which she said is not enough to keep up with the high volume of applications
“That fee was based on projections that no longer cover the actual costs of operating the program,” she said.
Mathis noted the agency processes more than 22,000 background checks every month, but without additional funding, the six- to 12-day timeline for processing will be extended.
Jane Milhans, who survived a home invasion several years ago, testified against the bill.
“Because of that I became a certified firearms instructor and volunteer all my time to train women how to protect themselves,” Milhans said, noting she keeps her fees intentionally low. “My students are normally fixed income widows … single moms and other low income people. This bill will create a burden on this lower income group that I teach.”
Milhans also argued the bill is unconstitutional under Article 1, Section 24 of the state constitution, which establishes the right of individual citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves or the state, declaring this right shall not be impaired.
Kirk Evans, President of US LawShield, told The Center Square, he also believes the legislation is unconstitutional and suggests the fees will likely climb beyond just a few dollar increase.
“It sounds great we’re going to have a tiny increase to help pay for the costs of reviewing these permits and doing that will expedite the ability for people to get firearms. That all sounds great, but unfortunately that’s not the way government works and expenses don’t just go up tiny amounts,” Kirk said.
He said beyond the financial implications, there are real-world impacts of the bill that should concern people.
“Let’s take a domestic abuse victim trying to get away from her abuser and makes this step to leave and wants to get a firearm to protect herself and has all these other expenses too … and then you get hit with another expense just to try and protect yourself,” Kirk said. “In the real world this is certain to make it more expensive just to protect yourself.”
Starting May 1, 2027, Washington will require residents to obtain a permit-to-purchase to acquire firearms. That bill passed during the 2025 legislative session. It will require completing a firearm safety training course with live-fire training, submitting fingerprinting, and undergoing two layers of background checks.
There are legal challenges that could delay implementation.
