Over the past few years, changes to gun laws in the United States have typically highlighted deep political divisions. However, in Washington state, a recent revision to background check regulations stands out as a rare victory, garnering support from every state legislator, regardless of party affiliation.
The journey towards this legislative change began approximately two years ago when Hans Schaufus was cleaning out his late father’s house and stumbled upon a single-shot Remington rifle he had purchased as a teenager in Ohio during the 1950s for a mere $8. Little did he know that this old firearm would play a role in reshaping state law on the opposite side of the country.
Schaufus decided to donate the rifle to the Cowlitz County Historical Museum, a green-roofed building that showcases exhibits related to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, local industries, and the early history of Washington. Joseph Govednik, the museum’s director and a friend of Schaufus, was fascinated by the rifle’s “rolling block” mechanism.
However, there was a legal obstacle in the way: Washington’s law requiring background checks for nearly all gun sales or transfers, enacted as an initiative in 2014. The law created a challenge for museums since there was no practical way to conduct background checks on nonprofit organizations like museums.
As a result, for nearly a decade, Washington museums were unable to accept donated firearms manufactured after 1858. Schaufus’s rifle, made in 1904, fell into this category.
Determined to find a solution, Govednik approached his local state senator, Jeff Wilson (R-Longview), who introduced a bill in 2022 aimed at exempting museums from background check requirements. Unfortunately, the bill faced obstacles in the House that year.
Undeterred, they made another attempt in the following year, garnering support from Democratic lawmakers who typically advocate for stricter gun control. The bill was eventually crafted to allow gun transfers to museums without requiring a background check, with the condition that these firearms must pass through a licensed firearm dealer if they are returned to their original owners.
This new measure received unanimous approval from the Legislature, marking a rare bipartisan achievement in the realm of gun legislation.
Govednik expressed his joy for the bipartisan collaboration, stating that it left him “floating the rest of the day.”
The significance of this change extends beyond firearms; it opens doors for museums to receive historical donations that include guns and other artifacts. Before the law was modified, museums had to reject valuable donations due to the absence of an ethical and legal framework for accepting firearms. Such rejections have hindered the preservation of a community’s shared history and could result in valuable items being auctioned off to private owners.
For example, Sadie Thayer, the director of the Kittitas County Historical Museum in Central Washington, had to decline a donation that included a firearm because there was no lawful way to accept it. This experience highlighted the importance of local donations for museums and their role in preserving historical items.
While the Remington rifle from Cowlitz County won’t be on immediate display, it has become a part of the museum’s collection, which consists of around 40 firearms. Govednik anticipates that the rifle may feature in future exhibits, exploring topics such as hunting, rural life, or civic engagement. Moreover, this legislative change serves as a testament to the power of civic engagement and the impact it can have on shaping state laws.
As Govednik reflects on this experience, he hopes that lawmakers will continue to consider the implications of legislative changes on museums when regulating material culture. Museums play a vital role in preserving history, and their ability to receive historical artifacts should be a key consideration in policy decisions.