House Bill 1240, which prohibits the purchase and sale of assault weapons in Washington, was approved by the Senate 27-21 Saturday afternoon. The bill was introduced by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, and co-sponsored by 25 other Democratic House members at the urging of Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
“Young people are taking to the streets and will hold us accountable if we don’t do something,” said Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue. “When we’re talking about mass shootings and the killing of people quickly and without warning, we’re talking about assault weapons. And that’s why we’re here today, we’re here to say: enough is enough.”
Before Gov. Jay Inslee can sign the law, it must return to the House chamber where it originated for agreement on Senate amendments. The law has an emergency clause that would make it effective immediately upon the governor’s signature.
Bill 1240 would make it illegal to “produce, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any assault weapon.” The legislation includes some exclusions for licensed firearm manufacturers and dealers, allowing law enforcement organizations to continue purchasing from firearms dealers and manufacturers, for example.
The Washington gun market may be significantly impacted by the prohibition on rifles. According to information from the FBI, the federal government performed more than 46,000 background checks on those trying to purchase long firearms in the first three months of this year.
Washington State Senate debates proposed bill on assault weapon regulation and its effectiveness in reducing gun violence
There are exceptions for those who inherit an assault weapon, and the bill does not regulate possession for Washington residents who already own an assault weapon. Violations of the proposed legislation would be considered a severe misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The bill was debated for more than two hours on Saturday, with numerous Republicans speaking out against it. Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, told the Senate that state lawmakers have enacted 37 laws to decrease gun violence since 2015, but none of the legislation has reduced gun violence or crime. He claims that such restrictions aren’t working and that violence in Washington isn’t just about guns; it’s also about drugs and reckless driving.
“The one thing that I see that lacks in this legislation today is bipartisanship to solve the problem,” Muzzall said. “Why? Because we’re focusing on some firearms that we consider to be scary.”
Senate committee passes amendment on importation of assault weapons in Washington State
On Saturday, the Senate Law and Justice Committee passed an eye-catching amendment that clarified the concept of importation. Those who live in Washington but travel back and forth from other states with the assault weapons they now own would not be subject to the definition, according to the clarification.
With the exception of one amendment presented by Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, more than 20 amendments were proposed, largely by Republicans. Randall’s proposal would make an exception for weapons dealers, allowing them to sell or transfer existing stock out of state for up to 90 days after the law takes effect. Republicans opposed the measure because they felt it did not go far enough, but Senate Democrats supported it.
An amendment presented by Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Wooley, that would provide exceptions for military retirees moving to the state and active duty military members on orders to Washington was also adopted by Senate lawmakers.
Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham, proposed an amendment that would have deleted the bill’s emergency language, but it was defeated by Democrats.
“Gun violence is an emergency,” said Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue. “Kids getting shot in schools is an emergency.”
The following are the weapons that would be prohibited under the bill:
- AK-47 in all forms
- AK-74 in all forms
- Algimec AGM-1 type semiautomatic
- American Arms Spectre da semiautomatic carbine
- AR15, M16, or M4 in all forms
- AR 180 type semiautomatic
- Argentine L.S.R. semiautomatic
- Australian Automatic
- Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semiautomatics
- Barrett .50 cal light semiautomatic
- Barrett .50 cal M87
- Barrett .50 cal M107A1
- Barrett REC7
- Beretta AR70/S70 type semiautomatic
- Bushmaster Carbon 15
- Bushmaster ACR
- Bushmaster XM-15
- Bushmaster MOE
- Calico models M100 and M900
- CETME Sporter 4CIS SR 88 type semiautomatic
- Colt CAR 15
- Daewoo K-1
- Daewoo K-2
- Dragunov semiautomatic
- Fabrique Nationale FAL in all forms
- Fabrique Nationale F2000
- Fabrique Nationale L1A1 Sporter
- Fabrique Nationale M249S
- Fabrique Nationale PS90
- Fabrique Nationale SCAR
- FAMAS .223 semiautomatic
- Galil
- Heckler & Koch G3 in all forms
- Heckler & Koch HK-41/91
- Heckler & Koch HK-43/93
- Heckler & Koch HK94A2/3
- Heckler & Koch MP-5 in all forms
- Heckler & Koch PSG-1
- Heckler & Koch SL8
- Heckler & Koch UMP
- Manchester Arms Commando MK-45
- Manchester Arms MK-9
- SAR-4800
- SIG AMT SG510 in all forms
- SIG SG550 in all forms
- SKS
- Spectre M4
- Springfield Armory BM-59
- Springfield Armory G3
- Springfield Armory SAR-8
- Springfield Armory SAR-48
- Springfield Armory SAR-3
- Springfield Armory M-21 sniper
- Springfield Armory M1A 7Smith & Wesson M&P 15
- Sterling Mk 1
- Sterling Mk 6/7
- Steyr AUG
- TNW M230
- FAMAS F11
- Uzi 9mm carbine/rifle
New York State defines assault weapons and enacts a waiting period for gun transactions
The legislation further defines assault weapons as “semiautomatic rifles with an overall length of less than 30 inches; conversion kits and parts that can be used to assemble an assault weapon or convert a firearm into an assault weapon, if the parts are in the possession of or under the control of the same person; semiautomatic centerfire rifles that have the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and have one or more additional features listed in the bill; semiautomatic centerfire rifles with a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds; semiautomatic pistols that have the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and have one or more additional features listed in the bill; semiautomatic shotguns that have one or more additional features listed in the bill.”
Folding or telescoping stocks, flash suppressors, muzzle brakes, and thumbhole stocks are among the various features included in the legislation. The bill’s passing came just one day after Senate members approved a 10-day waiting period for all gun transactions in the state.
According to the Giffords Law Center, general assault weapons bans have been enacted in nine other states, including Hawaii, California, and New York, as well as the District of Columbia. The legislative session concludes on April 23.
