The proposed prohibition in Washington state would apply to dozens of semiautomatic firearms.
An “assault weapons” ban, which would immediately outlaw the sale of several semiautomatic rifles to civilians, is set to be signed into law by the governor of Washington.
No amount of gun violence in Washington state is ever justified. Following the Wednesday passing of House Bill 1240, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee tweeted his approval of the bill.
With the exception of those employed by law enforcement and the armed services, the bill bans the sale, production, and import of “assault weapons,” most of which are semiautomatic rifles. The Senate passed it earlier this month, and the House passed it again today by a vote of 56 to 42.
While supporters of tougher gun legislation have spent years arguing over how to define “assault weapons,” HB 1240 makes it illegal for individuals to own more than 60 different types of guns. Semiautomatic long guns like the AR-15 and AK-47 are included in this category of weapons. Although the Act does not provide an entire list of banned firearms, it may outlaw semiautomatic pistols and shotguns that have specified qualities.
The ban will go into force as soon as Inslee signs it into law.
According to the legislation, “assault weapons” meant for civilian use are “watered-down” versions of weaponry “designed to kill humans quickly and efficiently.”
Fox News cited firearms instructor Jane Milhans as claiming that there is a lot of “misinformation” in the debate over gun control.
Although “people have the assumption that these rifles are military rifles and they just aren’t,” she said that semiautomatic weapons, which need two hands to fire, would put service members at a severe disadvantage in battle.
This restriction is a significant aspect of Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s push for tighter gun laws this legislative session. A 10-day waiting period for all gun sales and mandatory firearms safety training were established by the legislation earlier.
Inslee tweeted that his plan to “ban the sale of assault weapons,” “enact training requirements and a wait period,” and “improve accountability of manufacturers and retailers” will “save lives.”
The Senate amendment to HB 1240 would allow gun stores to sell weapons to clients from other states for 90 days after the measure is signed into law if the firearms were in stock prior to January 1, 2023.