SPOKANE, Wash. — A new law in Washington State mandating stringent security and insurance reforms is placing a heavy financial burden on local firearm dealers, including Jeremy Ball, the owner of Sharp Shooting Indoor Range and Gun Shop.
Since the enactment of House Bill 2188, which took effect in July 2025, Ball has reported substantial costs and delays in his business operations. The legislation requires firearm retailers to implement enhanced safety measures, including comprehensive employee background checks, round-the-clock surveillance systems, and a minimum liability insurance coverage of $1 million for each incident.
As Ball discusses the changes at his shop, he points to the latest security upgrades—a stark contrast to his previously untroubled operations. “All these cases are thick steel and feature reinforced laminated glass,” he explained, emphasizing the impossibility of removing firearms from display cases.
For many firearm dealers across the state, compliance with these new regulations is mandatory. The aim of Bill 2188, formally titled “Protecting the Public from Gun Violence by Establishing Additional Requirements for the Business Operations of Licensed Firearms Dealers,” is to curb gun thefts and prevent illegal purchases, known as straw purchasing.
Having invested approximately $150,000 in necessary upgrades, Ball expresses skepticism about the law’s effectiveness. “It was a lot of money,” he lamented. “These new measures are unlikely to deter crime, especially when we’ve not faced problems in the past.”
This financial strain has delayed Ball’s plans for business expansion, including significant renovations to his indoor shooting range. “We were positioned to make major improvements, but those plans are now on hold,” he admitted.
Despite the difficulties, Ball remains committed to maintaining high service quality for his customers. He is hopeful that the upcoming legislative cycles will not introduce additional restrictions on gun retailers in Washington.
Attempts to reach State Representatives Amy Wallen and Liz Berry, who sponsored the legislation, have not yielded responses. Meanwhile, fellow Representative Jim Walsh has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the bill, criticizing it as ineffective for reducing criminal activity.
Although Ball and other dealers face mounting pressures, they continue to navigate these changes with an eye on the future, hoping for a more favorable legislative environment.
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