Gov. Jay Inslee, left, with First Lady Trudi Inslee at a press conference advocating for laws to prevent gun violence. (Provided by the Washington State Governors’ Office)

Gov. Jay Inslee, left, with First Lady Trudi Inslee at a press conference advocating for laws to prevent gun violence. (Provided by the Washington State Governors’ Office)

House Democrats push Washington closer to assault weapons ban

Their bill outlawing the manufacture and sale of certain guns passed the state House. No Republican voted for it.

  • By Jerry Cornfield jcornfield@soundpublishing.com
  • Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:38pm
  • NewsNorthwest

OLYMPIA — Washington moved a step closer to outlawing the sale of assault weapons Wednesday.

A Democrat-sponsored bill banning the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of those weapons, defined broadly as semiautomatic pistols and semiautomatic rifles with detachable ammunition magazines, cleared the state House on a party-line 55-42 vote.

House Bill 1240 contains exceptions for manufacture and sale to law enforcement and the military. It does not bar the possession of assault weapons. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

This is the seventh straight year Democratic lawmakers sought such a ban, and the first time a version passed either legislative chamber.

Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, has been the sponsor each year. It’s because of the 2016 mass shooting in his district, in Mukilteo, where an armed young man killed three people and wounded a fourth before running out of bullets. The shooter used an AR-15-style semiautomatic weapon that would be banned under the proposal.

“We have a crisis of gun violence in this country, and it is only escalating,” he said in a statement. “We need to continue to take real, tangible action to curb gun violence in our state. Getting this bill to the governor’s desk will be a major step forward.”

Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, first called for a ban in 2017 in the wake of the Mukilteo shooting.

“The devastation of mass shootings extends far beyond the casualties and injuries,” Ferguson said in a statement. “Mass shootings traumatize entire communities. We must stop selling these weapons of war in Washington.”

Republicans contend the measure infringes on an individual’s constitutional right to own firearms. They also argued that outlawing their sale will not lead a reduced level of gun violence and crime.

Eight states had adopted similar legislation banning these weapons. Multiple federal courts upheld these public safety laws as constitutional, according to Ferguson’s office.

This is the third significant gun bill passed this session by Democrats, who hold majorities in the House and Senate.

On Tuesday, the House passed legislation requiring a person complete a firearms safety training program before they can make a purchase. It also imposes a a 10-day waiting period that would start on the day the dealer submits a request to the Washington State Patrol for a background check of the customer.

Last week, the Senate approved a bill allowing people to sue gun makers and sellers if one of their products harms someone.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
Schools, housing, salaries score big in Senate Dems $70B budget

The proposed spending plan also spends money to fight climate change, help abortion providers and study police pursuits

t
SeaTac girl pleads guilty to hit-and-run murder of Maple Valley man

Judge sentences the 17-year-old to remain in custody until she turns 21; maximum allowed by law

File photo.
Audit finds accountability issues in King County’s equity and social justices programs

Auditors say the county lacks progress tracking, clearly defined roles and accountability measures.

t
Northwest Kidney Centers opening Panther Lake location in Kent

Open house set for 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 30

Courtesy Photo, Metro Creative Graphics
Kent man faces murder charge in 2022 Auburn case of man found shot

The two men apparently were friends; man found inside vehicle

State Capitol Building in Olympia, WA. File photo
New forecast show state revenues won’t be quite as robust as expected

Democratic budget writers say they will be cautious but able to fund their priorities. Senate put out a capital budget Monday.

Elements of the city’s interactive space-themed park being lowered in. (Screenshot from Kent Youtube page)
Aerospace industry among Kent’s top economic boosters

Mayor said the Kent Valley is home to about 250,000 jobs.

Aerial view of Clark Lake and surrounding natural area. (Screenshot from City of Kent Youtube page)
Kent’s parks undergo renovations and reimagination

Mayor Dana Ralph outlines recent and future projects.

Most Read