As Washingtonians continue to scrutinize the state budget and high-profile legislative efforts, many have overlooked a sweeping piece of gun legislation recently signed into law by Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson. According to William Kirk with Washington Gun Law, this new law fundamentally transforms the nature of gun ownership in the state.
Joining The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Kirk sounded the alarm about the serious infringement on constitutional rights.
“These laws don’t stop bad actors. They only serve to make it harder for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.”
William Kirk from @GunWashington discusses @GovBobFerguson's new restriction on the Second Amendment & how onerous laws didn't prevent the DC shooting pic.twitter.com/PPvm289mSw
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) May 26, 2025
Gun Rights Become Government Privileges
“The new law relegates the right to bear arms to a government-granted privilege,” Kirk stated. “Beginning May 1, 2027, anyone who wants to exercise what used to be a right will be forced to pay for mandatory training, prove their ‘worthiness,’ and obtain a permission slip from the state before they can legally own a firearm.”
Kirk emphasized that when access to a constitutional right requires so many preconditions, it ceases to be a right at all.
Training Mandates: Well-Intentioned or Strategic Obstacle?
Playing ‘Devil’s Advocate,’ Hoffman asked, “What’s wrong with having people get more training?” noting that many other areas of public safety rely on education and certification.
Kirk clarified that no one opposes voluntary training. He recommends it as a responsible first step for any new gun owner. “Anyone who understands lawful and responsible gun ownership knows there’s no such thing as being overtrained,” he said. “But rights aren’t conditional. You don’t have to pass a test to exercise your freedom of speech or religion—or even to vote.”
In a tongue-in-cheek moment, Kirk added, “Frankly, with the way elections go in this state, maybe people should be trained before they vote—but that’s not how constitutional rights work.”
Weaponizing Bureaucracy to Discourage Gun Ownership
Both Kirk and Hoffman agreed that the law appears designed to frustrate potential gun owners into giving up. “This is death by a thousand cuts,” Kirk explained. “It will now cost people thousands of dollars and take nearly a year to get through the process. That wears people down until they just give up.”
Washington, he noted, is now among a group of about a dozen states he referred to as “the dirty dozen,” which have implemented what he called “civilian disarmament strategies” through bureaucratic burdens.
And while gun ranges might see a temporary bump in business from mandatory training classes, Kirk pointed out the ultimate winner is the government. “Only one entity truly profits from licensing regimes—and that’s the state,” he said.
A Case Study in Ineffectiveness: The D.C. Shooter
Kirk also addressed the recent mass shooting in Washington, D.C., allegedly carried out by Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Kirk used the incident to highlight the futility of restrictive gun laws.
“If this individual had followed every legal requirement, he would have needed a FOID card in Illinois, passed a psychological screening, undergone fingerprinting, obtained a concealed carry permit, and then registered his firearm with the D.C. police,” Kirk explained. “But clearly, none of those steps prevented this tragedy.”
The far more likely scenario, Kirk said, is that Rodriguez ignored every one of those laws, demonstrating the ineffectiveness of such regulations in preventing criminal behavior.
“These laws don’t stop bad actors,” Kirk stated bluntly. “They only serve to make it harder for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.”
Conclusion
As Washington State prepares to implement its new licensing and training requirements, Kirk warned that the legislation sets a dangerous precedent. “Imagine if we did this to any other constitutional right,” he said. “It would never stand.”
William Kirk continues to advocate for gun owners across the state, calling attention to what he sees as a coordinated attempt to erode the Second Amendment through legal red tape and financial barriers.
“We’re not talking about public safety anymore,” Kirk concluded. “We’re talking about control.”
Listen to The Ari Hoffman Show, weekdays 3-6 PM Pacific on Talk Radio 570 KVI, 101.5 FM HD-3, KVI.com & the KVI app. Subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast platform.
