OLYMPIA, Wash. — A ban on the sale, manufacture and import of assault weapons in Washington state has passed through the Legislature and is now headed to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk.
The House concurred with a floor amendment to House Bill 1240 that was added in the Senate, voting 56-42 to approve it. The amendment will allow gun manufacturers to sell inventory already in stock prior to Jan. 1, 2023, and only to out-of-state clientele for 90 days after the bill goes into effect.
The bill does not ban the possession of assault weapons and allows for ownership by law enforcement and military service members, with an exception in cases of inheritance.
Inslee and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson both took to social media to celebrate the passage of the bill, with Inslee tweeting, "WA does not and will not accept gun violence as normal. Banning the sale of assault weapons, our bill to enact training requirements and a wait period, and the bill to improve accountability of manufacturers and retailers will save lives."
Gun advocates have vowed to challenge the bill in court, arguing the ban violates the second amendment.
In states that have passed similar laws to HB 1240, litigation has followed.
In Oregon, Measure 114, approved by voters, is currently held up in court. That law bans high-capacity magazine sales and requires a permit for purchasing firearms.
A rush to buy assault weapons before bill takes effect
HB 1240 applies to all future sales of assault weapons, so customers are rushing to make their purchases before the law goes into effect.
“Everyone is trying to get in at the last minute. We’re receiving orders from out of state, people shipping in and people trying to get their paperwork in prior to this going into effect,” said Chris Ohnemus, co-owner of Pintos Guns in Renton.
Those opposing the legislation said it’s sweeping and more focus needs to be put on mental health.
Supporters of the legislation like the Alliance for Gun Responsibility have been fighting for this in Olympia for years and said it will save lives.
“It's a huge victory. I was in Olympia the day it was initially voted off the Senate floor. That was just an incredible and moving moment of history, I will genuinely never forget what that evening felt like,” said Victoria Muzyk, Communications Director, Gun Alliance for Responsibility.
Backers of the bill cite a federal study that showed if the federal assault weapons ban stayed in effect it would have prevented mass shootings.
“Until we see DC take nation-based action I think it will fall on individual states to really right the direction of what our future looks like so that we can prevent tragedies like these,” said Muzyk.