AG Ferguson speaks in support of two gun control bills

This browser does not support the video element.

State Attorney General Bob Ferguson was in Olympia this morning speaking in support of two bills against so-called untraceable "ghost guns" and large-capacity magazines.

KIRO 7's Rob Munoz gives you the details on those bills, which are facing opposition from gun rights groups.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

"High-capacity magazines make shootings more deadly for obvious reasons. As was pointed out, those high capacity magazines -- you do not need to stop to reload," Ferguson said.

Ferguson is throwing his voice behind a pair of gun control measures being considered by the Law & Justice Committee in Olympia.

"They were used in Newton, Las Vegas, Aurora, Parkland. The Parkland shooting only came to an end when the shooter had to come to a stop to reload," he said.

Senate Bill 5061 seeks to ban so-called ghost guns, which do not have serial numbers and can even be made with plastic on a 3D printer.

Senate Bill 5062 would ban the sale and owning of gun magazines with more than 10 rounds, or "high-capacity magazines."

Today, opponents, including gun rights groups and a home invasion survivor, made the case that the guns are needed for protection.

"I live with this nightmare every single day. I stand before you as a crime survivor and I don't want to be a crime statistic," said Jane Millhauser, who lives in Pierce County.

Supporters of the bills wore orange at today's hearing.

Ferguson's office made Washington a part of a bipartisan group of states suing and getting an injunction against a Texas man who wanted to post gun schematics online.

More than 60 percent of Washington voters approved I-1639, which raised the age to buy a semi-automatic rifle, required enhanced background checks and made it possible to charge gun owners with a crime if their weapon is stolen and they don't report it.

Both bills must be passed out of committee before receiving any official floor votes.