![Photo courtesy Zerbor](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-‘It-is-going-to-get-struck-down-Washington-Legislature-passes-gun-ban.jpg)
House Bill 1240 bans the sale, purchase or importation of rifles, pistols and shotguns deemed to be ‘assault weapons’
TJ Martinell
The Center Square Washington
The Washington Legislature has passed a bill banning the sale, purchase, or importation of rifles, pistols, and shotguns deemed to be “assault weapons,” though legislators voting in opposition argued it won’t survive a legal challenge.
“It’s going to pass [the Legislature],” Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, told colleagues on the Senate floor. “I’m sure it will be signed by the governor. It’s going to be struck down, it’s not going to change anything.”
HB 1240 initially cleared both chambers, but the Senate version was rejected by the House for adding an amendment by Wagoner exempting active military personnel receiving orders to move to Washington or military retirees moving to Washington state. That amendment was ultimately removed from the Senate version before the April 18 vote.
The bill specifically bans more than 60 semi-automatic rifles along with a variety of other semi-automatic rifles based on either length [shorter than 30 inches] or whether it has one or more accessory or feature. The legislation makes similar prohibitions on semi-automatic shotguns and handguns.
Republican lawmakers used the Senate floor vote to once more push for several amendments, including one that would remove the bill’s emergency clause. Due to the clause’s inclusion, the bill takes effect the moment it’s signed by Gov. Jay Inslee and does not allow referendum vote later this year.
Another amendment would have allowed gun dealers to sell or transfer weapons banned under the bill for up to 90 days after the law takes effect.
Opposed was Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, who told colleagues “you have the ability to sell it for 90 days to people outside of Washington. Individuals can continue to sell to law enforcement agencies or military. We also have larger businesses they can transfer these products outside of the state of Washington. They’re not closing down and getting rid of all their products.”
However, Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham, argued that “we’re not talking about one product. We’re talking multiple products. We’re talking about a lot of them. I don’t think they’re [gun shops] going to sell them out of state they’re going to sell them in state. They need to be able to sell their products off.”
The primary argument among proponents of HB 1240 is that it will reduce mass shootings and gun violence in the state, with Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, calling gun violence the “preeminent issue of our time.”
Mass shootings made up two percent of all murders and homicides between 2015-2021, while 74 percent of all firearm-related deaths in Washington state between 2018-21 were suicide-related. According to Harborview’s Firearm Injury and Research Program, suicides are greater than homicides in total firearm deaths in every county except for Yakima.
HB 1240 will now be sent to Inslee’s desk for signing.
Also read:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.