The Washington House passed a new gun background check bill this week that was surprisingly supported by both the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. The said bill, supported by the opposing advocacy groups, aims to centralize firearm background checks under the Washington State Patrol.

House Bill 2467 passed the Washington House 66-32, with 10 Republicans and all House Democrats but one supporting the bill. The bill is now heading to the Senate for consideration.

If enacted, the bill would essentially overhaul the currently decentralized background check system used in the state. Some critics have called the system as “fragmented” and “too complicated,” resulting in loopholes and mistakes.

Background checks are conducted to prevent people prohibited by law, such as those with warrants, felonies, diagnosed mental health issues, and people under protection orders, from purchasing a firearm.

In Washington, licensed firearm deals have to contact more than 200 different local law enforcement agencies around the state to conduct background checks for potential handgun buyers. People purchasing long guns, shotguns, and lever-action rifles are automatically referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which conducts their own checks using the federal database under the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

According to Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island and sponsor of the bill, a centralized system will be much more efficient and will strengthen the accuracy of background checks. Under the bill, the State Patrol will be establishing its own background check unit to be used specifically for gun purchase checks.

Supporters of the bill claimed that the centralized system would make response times much faster as it would have a much more organized database and better-trained personnel. The system also aims to relieve substantial burden and costs for local law enforcement agencies as they will no longer be required to perform checks for gun dealers.

Also this week, the Washington Senate passed Senate Bill 5434, a bill that essentially aims to bar firearms from licensed child-care centers within the state.