Washington is aggressive on telling the country that something has to change to end mass shootings and overall gun violence. House Bill 1240 recently passed 27-21. The bill bans the sale, manufacture and import of assault weapons in Washington state. It does not, however, ban the possession of an assault weapon. Another loophole in the bill is that it allows for ownership by law enforcement and military service members in addition to an exception in cases of inheritance.
Not all in Washington is happy with the steps to ban guns. Senate Republicans pushed back against the bill with 20 amendments, but as the minority, only two passed. One floor amendment allows for gun manufacturers to sell inventory already in stock prior to an established date, and only to out-of-state clientele, for 90 days after the bill goes into effect.
The main bill is going back and forth. The bill was amended in the Senate, so now it must go back to the House for further consideration. The 2023 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, April 23. If the bill receives final passage, Washington will join nine other states and Washington, D.C., in banning assault weapons.
This bill is a historic piece of legislation. House Bill 1240 marked the first time the bill passed off a chamber floor in the Washington Legislature. Another bill, one that would require a 10-day waiting period and gun safety training for anyone buying a firearm, also passed off the Senate floor on April 7. House Bill 1143 would prevent a gun dealer from transferring any firearm until the purchaser or transferee provides proof of completion of a safety training program, passes a background check and waits 10 days.
But, will the legislation pass legal muster. Pro-gun advocates want the Supreme Court of the United States to weigh in on the constitutionality of these bills that will soon become law. In 2018, Washington voters approved Initiative 1639. That set a requirement of a 10-day waiting period and safety training for people purchasing semi-automatic rifles. House Bill 1143 extends similar measures to all firearm purchases.
