OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson are again calling on lawmakers to ban assault-style semiautomatic rifles this session, the second time they are pushing for this legislation.
Inslee and Ferguson joined legislators and others affected by gun violence in Tukwila on Monday to announce upcoming legislation to reduce gun violence. The legislation addresses assault weapons, permits to purchase guns and holding businesses that sell guns liable.
“We know that Washington state is not passive, and we do not have to surrender to this scourge of gun violence,” Inslee said the news conference.
Their first proposal would ban the sale, manufacture and import of assault weapons in Washington. It would exempt the manufacture and sale for law enforcement and the military. Similar to the high capacity magazine ban last year, the proposal does not ban the possession of assault weapons.
Inslee called assault-style firearms “weapons of war.”
“There are no legitimate reason for them in our society,” Inslee said.
Another proposal would hold firearms manufacturers and sellers liable if they fail to establish, implement and enforce reasonable controls in the manufacture, sale, distribution and marketing of firearms.
A federal law protects gun manufacturers and sellers from liability in some circumstances, such as a gun being stolen from a shop without the owners knowing, but Congress allowed states to pass their own laws regulating sales.
Ferguson’s proposed law would add liability to manufacturers and sellers if they are irresponsible, he said. If these weapons get into the wrong hands as a result of the seller’s actions, then a lawsuit can be brought.
A number of other states, including New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and California, have similar laws in place, Ferguson said.
Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, and Rep. David Hackney, D-Tukwila, will sponsor the bill.
Pedersen said sellers and manufacturers have to accept responsibility for the “dangerous products” that they sell. If they fail to keep them out of the hands of people who are going to do damage, Pedersen said, “they will have their day in court.”
Hackney said retailers need to be held responsible because “more guns do not make my community safer.”
Inslee also proposed permit-to-purchase legislation, which would require a person to have a permit in order to purchase a gun.
“It’s time to ensure you have safe training to purchase a gun,” Inslee said.
The proposed legislation comes after a shooting last month at Ingraham High School in Seattle left a 17-year-old student dead.
Ingraham High School student Sofie Blazejova said it was hard to put into words the amount of fear she felt during the Nov. 8 shooting.
“I demand that we do not lose anymore lives to preventable gun violence,” Blazejova said at Monday’s news conference.
Ferguson had one recent gun victory last session when Inslee signed into law a bill that prohibits the making, selling or distributing of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Ferguson had requested the legislation since 2017.
Ferguson announced earlier this month the first lawsuit for unlawfully selling high-capacity magazines after the new legislation went into effect.
Ferguson sued Federal Way Discount Guns and its owner, Mohammed Reza Baghai, hoping to stop the store from selling the high-capacity magazines. Baghai faces a maximum penalty of $7,500 every time the store offered a high-capacity magazine for sale and $7,500 every time it illegally sold one, according to Ferguson’s office.
The store has since set up a fundraiser to raise money for its legal funds to fight for their Second Amendment rights, according to the shop website.
The Legislature also passed a package of bills last year that limit the use of firearms without serial numbers, or “ghost guns,” and restrict gun usage at ballot counting centers, election facilities and school board meetings.
It’s unclear if Democrats have enough votes to push the legislation through to passage, but Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, said Washington can’t wait for action at a national level on gun legislation.
“It is the responsibility of every lawmaker at every level of government to pass effective gun safety policies to reduce the number of these weapons in our communities,” she said.
Republicans are likely to oppose measures as they have been hesitant to support most gun control bills in the past.
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, called the proposals unconstitutional and “a waste of taxpayers’ time and money.”
“The governor, state attorney general and their allies need to stop wasting state resources and join the rest of us in focusing on what matters,” Walsh said in a statement.
Ferguson said he believes the actions are constitutional and consistent with federal laws. He pointed to other assault weapon bans in other states that have been upheld by federal court. On the proposal surrounding seller liability, Ferguson said the federal law does allow states to implement their own restrictions if they choose to do so.
Inslee also pointed to his proposals to increase mental health resources and to hire and train more law enforcement officers as other ways he is hoping to prevent gun violence.
The Legislature will meet Jan. 9 for its 105-day session.
This will gain support when legislature rejoins next year.
The criminal organization that is first in power is at it again. SOB's do not want competition from the ordinary citizen.
It's all about power and control. To hell with the citizens.
kwg
For liberals and anarchists, power and control is opium, selling envy is the fastest and easiest way to get it. TRR. American conservative. Never trust a white liberal. Malcom X Current NRA member.
I suggest pointing repeatedly to a written copy of the Constitution as you string them up, and livestreaming the whole thing. It's amazing how few rights the corpses of tyrants and traitors can violate.
Clearly, the lawmakers of Washington State have never read the Bruen Decision, or they'd know such legislation is dead in the water.
Doesn't matter to them. They and other liberals in this state will pass a law pay no regard to the cost to over turn. Then pat themselves on the back doing so.
Clearly, the lawmakers of Washington State have never read the Bruen Decision, or they'd know such legislation is dead in the water.
Doesn't matter to them. They and other liberals in this state will pass a law pay no regard to the cost to over turn. Then pat themselves on the back doing so.
And the lawyers smile and order another case of dom perr'N yacht
monkey grabbed a hot skillet, ain't constipated no-mo
PRESIDENT TRUMP 2024/2028 !!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Bristoe The people wringing their hands over Trump's rhetoric don't know what time it is in America.
If there is no legitimate reason for them in our society, as he says, then put your money where your mouth is. Go take them.
If on the other hand, Inslee hates the idea of the people having the necessary means to defend against authoritarian tyrants, then this is more anti American posturing to appeal to what he sees as the populace of the future Soviet States of America.
Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan
For why should my freedom be judged by another man's conscience? - 1 Corinthians 10:29
A bit tougher than Oregon but I still like the odds of a positive outcome.
Good Luck WA as it matters everywhere.
Wrong. What matters isn't what these legislators do. What matters is what WE do. Government at every level has already demonstrated a repugnance toward the rule of law, the Constitution, and toward the Republic. Fuuck 'em all. As soon as they fear us, there will be liberty. That's the reality.
You just keep advocating circle jerks as if they accomplish anything.
