Washington State lawmakers consider several gun-control related bills

While the focus has been on Virgina’s proposed gun-control legislation lawmakers in Wasinghinton State have been busy introducing their own violations of the Second Amendment. The two bans are strongly supported by the governor.

Here is a list of proposed bills:

SB 6077: Bans “large capacity magazines”

Senate Bill 6077 would prohibit any person in Washington state from manufacturing, possessing, distributing, importing, transferring, selling, or purchasing “large capacity magazines.” Exceptions include people who already own such magazines, as well as law enforcement officers. The bill defines “large capacity magazines” as “an ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition.”

HB 2241: Bans “assault weapons”

House Bill 2241 would prohibit the sale or possession of so-called “assault weapons,” such as the AR-15 or AK-47. The bill would not apply to such weapons owned before January 1, 2021.

HB 2467: Creates a centralized background check system

House Bill 2567would create a centralized gun background check system under the purview of the Washington State Patrol. This proposal is expected to have bipartisan support.

SB 6288: Establishing the Washington Office of Firearm Violence Prevention

Senate Bill 6288 would create a new office dedicated to “coordinating and promoting effective state and local efforts to reduce firearm violence.” The office would work with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and pubic health officials across the state on violence intervention and prevention efforts.

HB 2519: Restricts access to ammunition

House Bill 2519 would require background checks on ammunition sales in order to prevent the purchase of ammunition by felons and others prohibited from owning firearms.

HB 1374: Local authority to regulate firearms

House Bill 1374 would “provide local jurisdictions the ability to build upon statewide standards and adopt responsible approaches to firearms regulations to help address the epidemic of firearm violence in their communities by restoring inherent local authority to adopt firearms regulations under the police power to protect public health, safety, and welfare.”