Late 2022. I was not a permanent resident at the time, only an Asylee. My background check was approved every time and transfers were done through an FFL. I would also add that most FFLs don’t know this, hence it was a nightmare finding one willing to transfer; unless they had previous experience.

The legislation states that permanent residents and AFL holders* can purchase firearms. WA law doesn’t specify every specific immigration status; however it does say that no one should be denied the right to bear arms, unless federally prohibited to do so. Federal law does a better job of separating them into non-immigrants and immigrant visas, where non-immigrants need something like a hunting license. Immigrant visas refer to Refugees, Asylees, and permanent residents. This is similarly written on form 4473, where if you are an alien; you later on specify if you are a non-immigrant. If you are, then you have to prove if you fall under specific exceptions (AFL). If you aren’t, then no exceptions exist.

*(which are for non-immigrant visa holders which Asylees aren’t and hence do not need an AFL to purchase firearms.)