Okanogan County Sheriff Paul Budrow expressed his opposition to a new gun law passed by the state legislature this year and set to go into effect in 2027. Budrow posted his statement on the OCSO’s Facebook page on June 2.
HB 1163 requires a permit, valid for five years, prior to purchasing a gun in the State of Washington. The permit will be obtained through an application to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), which will determine applicable fees. Applicants will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a background check, and show proof of completing gun safety training in the past five years, which must include live fire training. There are exemptions to the training requirement for military personnel and peace officers.
WSP will annually check the eligibility of each permit holder and revoke or suspend the permit if necessary. Courts must notify WSP if a gun holder becomes ineligible due to a criminal conviction, involuntary commitment, or an extreme risk protection order. If a permit is revoked, WSP would notify local law enforcement to ensure that the person is not in possession of a firearm.
WSP must issue the permit unless there are legal grounds for not doing so or the applicant did not provide proof of a gun safety training course.
A previous requirement to show a gun dealer proof of a gun safety training has been transferred to WSP as part of the application for a permit. The responsibility of retaining records of firearm transfers is moved from the gun dealer to the Department of Licensing.
Budrow joins Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner, Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond, and Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete in publicly opposing the new law. Budrow’s, Wagner’s, and Kriete’s statements follow a similar format on their agencies’ respective Facebook pages.
The bill passed on a party-line vote in the state house and senate. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law May 20. It will take effect May 1, 2027.
Objections to the new law include the cost of required courses, cost of the permit, wait times for training classes, and a moral argument that constitutional rights shouldn’t require a permit.
“I cannot support legislation that disproportionately affects law-abiding citizens while failing to address the root issues contributing to gun violence,” Budrow wrote in a statement. “House Bill 1163, in its current form, shifts responsibility away from criminals and onto responsible gun owners. It does not enhance public safety—it complicates the lawful exercise of a constitutional right.”
“The fundamental issue we face is not a lack of legislation—it is the failure of our justice system to consistently hold offenders accountable. When individuals repeatedly violate the law without facing meaningful consequences, public safety is undermined,” wrote Budrow.
Budrow and other sheriffs opposing the law face a possible show down with the governor once the law takes effect. During a town hall meeting May 10 in Twisp, Budrow said he would not enforce legislation passed in Olympia that conflicts with the Washington or U.S. Constitution and referred to gun rights specifically.
Official Statement from Sheriff Paul D. Budrow on Washington State House Bill 1163
As the elected Sheriff of Okanogan County, I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, protect the rights of our citizens, and ensure the safety and well-being of the communities I serve. It is with these responsibilities in mind that I provide the following statement regarding Washington State House Bill 1163.
Accountability Over Additional Legislation
Washington State already has comprehensive laws that prohibit criminals from possessing or using firearms. The fundamental issue we face is not a lack of legislation—it is the failure of our justice system to consistently hold offenders accountable. When individuals repeatedly violate the law without facing meaningful consequences, public safety is undermined. The solution lies in the enforcement of existing laws, not the imposition of new regulations that primarily affect law-abiding citizens. For example, firearm-related crimes should carry mandatory sentencing enhancements to reflect the severity of such offenses.
Concerns Regarding HB 1163
House Bill 1163, set to take effect on May 1, 2027, introduces a range of new requirements for lawful firearm purchases, including mandatory permits, fingerprinting, enhanced background checks, and live-fire training. While intended to promote safety, these requirements place significant burdens on responsible gun owners—particularly in rural areas like Okanogan County, where access to the necessary resources may be limited and costly. These mandates risk treating responsible citizens as potential criminals merely for exercising their constitutional rights.
Unintended Consequences for Law-Abiding Citizens
Under this legislation, individuals with no criminal history could face legal penalties for attempting to purchase a firearm without first obtaining a permit. This approach does little to deter actual criminal behavior and instead creates unnecessary legal obstacles for citizens who are compliant with the law.
My Commitment to Public Safety and Constitutional Rights
I fully support robust enforcement of existing firearm laws and targeted efforts to hold violent offenders accountable. Additionally, I advocate for investments in community-based programs, mental health services, and violence prevention strategies that address the underlying causes of crime.
However, I cannot support legislation that disproportionately affects law-abiding citizens while failing to address the root issues contributing to gun violence. House Bill 1163, in its current form, shifts responsibility away from criminals and onto responsible gun owners. It does not enhance public safety—it complicates the lawful exercise of a constitutional right.
As your Sheriff, I remain steadfast in my commitment to protect the people of Okanogan County, defend individual liberties, and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Sheriff Paul D. Budrow
