Washington is moving toward a new step for firearm purchases: a state-issued permit-to-purchase that comes with a stated price tag. Beginning May 1, 2027, residents will have to pay $126 to acquire the permit required to buy a gun. Radio host Jason Rantz has noted the permit-to-purchase will be issued by the Washington State Patrol.
If you are trying to understand what this change does in day-to-day terms, the basics are straightforward: the permit becomes an upfront step, and the fee is the first out-of-pocket cost tied to that requirement.
Join the Discussion
What the $126 covers
The Washington State Patrol has confirmed the overall fee will be $126. The fee is itemized as “$90 for the permit and $36 for the fingerprint background check.”
Those numbers describe the permit charge itself and the fingerprint background check portion. In other words, the permit is not presented as a single flat line item. It is split into two stated parts.
Other costs to plan for
The $126 is not the only expense people may encounter while trying to qualify for the permit. Applicants must pass a state-certified safety course, and Jason Rantz highlighted added, practical costs tied to meeting that requirement, including training and ammunition.
Rantz said, “Course fees, ammunition, range time and travel all come out of the buyer’s pocket on top of the $126.”
How it fits Washington rules
Washington already has a long list of firearm-related rules on the books. Everytown for Gun Safety ranks Washington No. 9 among states for gun control stringency.
Policies associated with Washington’s current approach include universal background checks for handgun purchases, a ten-day waiting period on gun sales, a concealed carry permit requirement, a red flag law, gun storage laws, an assault weapons ban, a high-capacity magazine ban, a bump stock ban, a registry of all handgun sales, ghost gun regulations, and a ban on K-12 teachers being armed for classroom defense, among other measures.
Key takeaways
The permit-to-purchase requirement adds a defined cost and additional steps before a person can buy a gun in Washington. The timeline is clear, with a start date of May 1, 2027. The price is also clear: $126 total, consisting of $90 for the permit and $36 for the fingerprint background check, with other out-of-pocket costs potentially attached through training, ammunition, range time, and travel.