Washington state residents will have to pay $126 for a state-issued permit to purchase a firearm beginning May 1, 2027, adding another financial requirement to the gun-buying process.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will issue the permits, according to information confirmed by the agency. The total fee consists of $90 for the permit and $36 for a fingerprint-based background check.

Radio host Jason Rantz highlighted the additional costs buyers will face beyond the required fee. Applicants must also complete a state-certified firearm safety course to qualify for a permit, bringing potential expenses higher once training and related costs are included.

“Course fees, ammunition, range time and travel all come out of the buyer’s pocket on top of the $126,” Rantz said.

The requirement adds another layer to Washington’s already extensive gun-control laws. Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun-control organization affiliated with billionaire Michael Bloomberg, ranks Washington ninth nationally for the stringency of its firearm restrictions.

The state already requires universal background checks for firearm purchases and imposes a 10-day waiting period on gun sales. Other measures include concealed-carry permit requirements, red flag laws, firearm storage regulations, restrictions on so-called assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and regulations targeting privately made firearms commonly known as ghost guns.

Washington also maintains a registry of handgun sales, prohibits bump stocks and restricts schoolteachers from carrying firearms for classroom defense.

With the new permit requirement, prospective gun owners will have to account for the state fee and the additional expenses associated with mandatory training before completing a purchase. The policy is scheduled to take effect May 1, 2027.