WA House passes bill banning sale of assault weapons

For the first time, an assault weapons ban has passed a chamber of the state legislature. The House passed it Wednesday night and it now goes on to the Senate.

The passage of House Bill 1240 represents the first time a proposal to ban the sale of assault weapons has passed a chamber of the Washington Legislature. The bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, and import of such weapons in the state while allowing certain exemptions for law enforcement and the military.

The legislation does not prohibit people from possessing assault weapons.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson first proposed a ban on the sale of assault weapons in 2017, following a deadly 2016 shooting at a Mukilteo house party in which the shooter used a military-style assault rifle and high-capacity magazine.

“The House today put public safety above the interest of the gun lobby,” Ferguson said. “The devastation of mass shootings extends far beyond the casualties and injuries. Mass shootings traumatize entire communities. We must stop selling these weapons of war in Washington.”

“Assault weapons have contributed to some of the deadliest shootings over the last decade, and keeping more of them out of our communities will make Washington a safer place,” Gov. Inslee said. “I applaud the bill sponsors and the Attorney General’s Office for helping advance this crucial public safety measure.”

Republicans said they don’t see any support for the bill among their caucus in the Senate and also say it will not actually reduce crime and make people safer. They said the focus should be on making sure people are punished for the crimes they commit and dealing with fentanyl and dangerous drugs.

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