In a bold act of constitutional defiance, Washington State Sheriff Rejects Controversial Permit-to-Purchase Scheme and reaffirms his commitment to protecting the Second Amendment. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank made it clear this week that he will not enforce a newly passed state law requiring a permit to purchase firearms—a policy he deems unconstitutional and politically driven.
Sheriff Keith Swank Defends the Constitution Over State Mandates
The new law, set to take effect in 2027, mandates that Washington residents obtain a state-issued permit, undergo additional background checks, submit fingerprints, and complete live-fire training before they can legally purchase a firearm. While state officials argue the law will reduce gun violence and suicides, critics believe it targets the wrong group—law-abiding citizens.
Sheriff Swank, however, is not staying silent. In a strongly worded public statement, he said, “As the elected sheriff of Pierce County, I am committed to addressing serious criminal activity to ensure the safety of our community and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens.” He went on to criticize the permit-to-purchase scheme as a redundant and politically motivated effort that does little to deter actual criminals.
Swank emphasized that his department would focus on enforcing laws that genuinely enhance public safety—not laws that add bureaucratic hurdles to citizens already complying with rigorous background checks.
Unprecedented Burdens on Gun Owners Spark Resistance
Under the new law, firearm purchasers in Washington must meet a number of unprecedented and burdensome requirements:
- Obtain a permit before purchasing any firearm
- Submit to additional background checks—even if previously cleared
- Provide fingerprints to the state
- Complete a firearms safety training course
- Fire at least 50 rounds on a range as part of the training requirement
These regulations are layered on top of Washington’s already extensive gun control measures. Critics argue they unfairly penalize responsible gun owners while doing little to stop the criminals who ignore gun laws altogether.
Sheriff Swank is not alone in his stance. Many gun rights advocates see the new law as a direct violation of the Second Amendment, and legal challenges are already in the works. Pro-Second Amendment groups argue that no other constitutional right requires similar government-issued permission to exercise—especially not one as fundamental as the right to bear arms.
Proponents of the law claim it will reduce gun violence and suicides, but historical data has shown that such regulations often have minimal impact on crime and tend to burden lawful citizens the most. Lawsuits are expected to challenge the constitutionality of the measure, setting the stage for a lengthy court battle that could make its way to the federal level.
Sheriff Swank’s principled refusal to enforce what he sees as an overreach of state power has made national headlines and positioned him as a prominent figure in the ongoing fight to defend constitutional freedoms. His stand sends a clear message: law enforcement officers are not obligated to enforce laws they believe violate the rights of the people they are sworn to protect.
In an age where government overreach continues to creep into daily life, Sheriff Swank’s resistance is a powerful reminder that the Constitution still matters—and that those in positions of authority can choose to uphold it.
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