Denied Firearms Transactions

During the 2017 Regular Session, the Washington State Legislature enacted SHB 1501, an act relating to protecting law enforcement and the public from persons who illegally attempt to obtain firearms. The legislation took effect on July 23, 2017. We encourage you to read the bill in its entirety. 

SHB 1501 places several requirements on Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs):

  • A dealer shall report to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs information on each instance where the dealer denies an application for the purchase or transfer of a firearm, whether under RCW 9.41.090 or 9.41.113, or the requirements of federal law, as the result of a background check or completed and submitted firearm purchase or transfer application that indicates the applicant is ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law. The dealer shall; report the denied application information to WASPC within five days of the denial in a format as prescribed by WASPC. The reported information must include the identifying information of the applicant, the date of the application and denial of the application, and other information or documents as prescribed by WASPC. In any case where the purchase of a firearm is initially denied by the dealer as a result of the background check that indicates the applicant is ineligible to possess a firearm, but the purchase or transfer is subsequently approved, the dealer shall report the subsequent approval to WASPC within one day of the approval. 

  • Upon denying an application for the purchase or transfer of a firearm as a result of a background check or completed and submitted firearm purchase or transfer application that indicates the applicant is ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law, the dealer shall: 
    • Provide the applicant with a copy of a notice form generated and distributed by the Washington State Patrol under section 3(5) of this act, informing denied applicants of the right to appeal the denial; and
    • Retain the original records of the attempted purchase or transfer of a firearm for a period of not less than six years. 

In order to submit the required information, FFLs will need to login under the "FFL Access (Submit Report)" tab. Each FFL will have one username and password. Once logged in, FFLs will complete the report form. We are not requesting you to upload the completed Form 4473.

Per SHB 1501, the Washington State Patrol has developed the above referenced form notice. Please click here to view the notice. The notice was last updated in February 2021. 

To view some of our frequently asked questions, please click here

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs does not provide legal advice. None of the information provided on this site should be considered legal advice.

Last Updated on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:28 PM