Committee advances proposed substitute for House Bill 1163 to require permit to purchase firearms

The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31 reported out the proposed substitute for House Bill 1163 with a due-pass recommendation, after debate over training requirements, exemptions and appeal remedies.

The substitute would create a requirement for a permit to purchase firearms, specify that the firearm-safety training required for a concealed pistol license (CPL) must have been completed within the previous five years, extend the bill’s court-review provisions to cover revocations of permits to purchase and CPLs, and replace gendered terms in the bill.

Why it matters: supporters said the permit requirement strengthens background checks and clarifies timelines for training and judicial review; opponents said it imposes an unconstitutional impairment on the right to bear arms and burdens low-income residents.

Committee members discussed and rejected several member amendments that would have substantially changed who must show training or pay fees. Representative Walsh’s H0834.1 would have removed the requirement that applicants provide proof of completion of a certified firearm-safety program and retained the current law of requiring training only at the point of transfer; that amendment was not adopted. Other defeated amendments included exemptions for current and former law-enforcement officers (Adam 144), for holders of concealed-pistol licenses (Adam 145), a waiver of permit-related fees for households with gross family income below three times the federal poverty guideline (Adam 146), and a proposal to award prevailing plaintiffs reasonable attorney fees, costs and general damages after successful appeals of denials or revocations (Adam 143).

Debate highlights: Representative Abel, speaking during discussion of the H0834.1 amendment, said the state constitution’s Article I, Section 24 “articulates” a core right to keep and bear arms but indicated he supported reinstating the existing training standard in that amendment. Representative Graham argued against training-based barriers on safety grounds, saying, “I’m gonna on the side of the women that are in dangerous situations and say our state needs to do better.” Vice Chair Farvar, who moved the proposed substitute, said the substitute “focuses on providing clarity around the firearms training timelines and the appeal process” and that “requiring a permit to help keep guns out of the hands of those who threaten our community is our moral imperative.” Representative Walsh urged a no vote on constitutional and equity grounds, saying the permit requirement “is wrong on its face” and would disproportionately burden poorer and underrepresented people.

Action taken: The committee voted by roll call to report the proposed substitute House Bill 1163 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The roll call recorded 8 ayes and 5 nays.

What’s next: With the committee’s due-pass recommendation, the substitute moves forward per standard legislative process; the substitute’s provisions and the record of committee debate and rejected amendments will be part of the bill file entering next-stage consideration.

Votes at a glance: Proposed substitute House Bill 1163 — reported out with due pass recommendation; roll call: 8 ayes, 5 nays.

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