*By Julie Barrett, Founder of Conservative Ladies of Washington and Conservative Ladies of America
We are just a couple short weeks away from the prefiling for Washington’s 2026 legislative session. Each session hundreds of bills are proposed by legislators, and because Washington operates on a “biennium”, those passed in the first year of the biennium are automatically carried over to the second year. Many anti-2A bills were filed in 2025 that are still in play for the 2026 session.
In this post, we will give you a brief summary of each bill and our predictions on the likelihood of these bills passing.
Keep in mind, while all of these restrictions on firearm rights are unconstitutional, efforts to get the courts to overturn them in the past have, unfortunately failed. Our justice system has been captured and apparently the constitution is simply a piece of paper that can be ignored if it suits the agenda.
HB 1504 — Mandatory Firearm Insurance / “Financial Responsibility”
HB 1504 would require gun owners to carry liability insurance or prove they have at least $25,000 in cash or securities per firearm. This creates a direct financial barrier to exercising a constitutional right. For many Washington residents, the costs alone could make gun ownership out of reach — essentially turning lawful possession into a privilege based on income.
Chance of passing: I give this one a low chance of passing. I think there are a lot of moving parts here that will make it cumbersome for the state to implement and enforce this. I’ll give it a 4/10
HB 1386 — Ammunition Tax
HB 1386 adds a new excise tax on ammunition and firearm products, increasing the cost of training, practice, and self-defense. Supporters frame this as violence-prevention funding, but in practice it’s a tax on lawful gun owners, particularly those who already struggle to afford regular range time.
Chance of passing: I think this one is highly likely to pass. It’s another burden for firearm owners, but more importantly, it will generate much-needed revenue for Washington. There are many advocacy groups calling for more funding of gun violence and community safety programs and with a budget crisis, they will need to fund that somehow…this would be the key. I’ll give it a 9/10.
HB 1132 — Bulk Firearm Purchase Limits
This bill limits individuals to one firearm purchase per 30-day period and places caps on monthly ammunition purchases. While marketed as an anti-trafficking measure, Washington already has some of the strictest background checks in the country. The real effect is restricting freedom for lawful buyers, collectors, and sport shooters.
Chance of passing: I give this one a low chance of passing as well. While the fiscal impact is minimal, I don’t see democrats expending political capital on a bill that will have minimal impact on their anti-gun agenda. I’ll say 2/10
SB 5099 — New Operational Rules for Licensed Firearms Dealers
SB 5099 imposes major new requirements on Washington firearms dealers — including $1 million insurance policies, stricter security measures, employee background checks, and expanded state oversight. These kinds of mandates disproportionately harm small, locally owned gun shops. Fewer dealers means fewer access points for law-abiding citizens, while doing nothing to deter criminal activity.
Chance of passing: This bill expands on the “KILL THE FFL” bill that passed in 2024. WA democrats really want to put FFLs out of business. I think this is once that has a possibility of passing. I’ll say 6/10.
SB 5098 — Expanded “Gun-Free Zones”
SB 5098 adds broad new areas to the state’s list of prohibited locations for weapons, including:
- Public parks and playgrounds
- Public buildings
- County fairs
- Sports and recreation facilities
Although some exemptions exist for concealed pistol license holders, the bill still creates large zones where lawful carry becomes difficult or impossible. These restrictions mainly affect parents, families, and responsible concealed carriers, not criminals.
Chance of passing: This bill is an expansion of a bill that was passed in 2024. It passed through the Senate in 2025 but did not pass out of the House. This is another priority for the “gun control” advocacy groups (especially in education) and it has minimal fiscal impact, so it won’t cost the state much to implement this. I give this a likely chance of passing – 9/10
HB 1152 — Mandatory Secure Storage for Homes and Vehicles
HB 1152 requires firearms to be locked in both residences and vehicles, with potential penalties for violations. While promoted as a safety measure, it introduces new legal risk for gun owners and can complicate home-defense readiness. It also places liability on gun owners even when they weren’t negligent or present.
Chance of passing: Another “make life as difficult as possible for gun owners” bill that will cost the democrats serious political capital. I don’t see this one as being a high priority in 2026. I’ll say 4/10.
2026 Legislative Forecast
Considering the bills we already know are in play for 2026, I predict we will see HB 1386, SB 5098, and SB 5099 passed in 2026. Washington has already effectively neutered the second amendment in the state, despite having stronger 2A language in the state constitution than in the federal constitution. I think it’s possible we could see a policy proposed targeting conceal carry regulations, but given the financial crisis WA legislature is facing, they will likely have to focus on “gun control” policies that have minimal fiscal impact. Don’t worry, they’ll find a way to make life even more difficult for law-abiding gun owners.
The fact is: it’s next to impossible to stop these policies in Olympia. They will pass – not if, but when – and the best thing citizens can do is stand up, speak up, to frustrate and slow the process of them taking away your constitutional rights. We’ll keep watching for the new legislation that pops up for 2026 and will keep you informed.
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