Washington’s Gov. Jay Inslee (D) on Tuesday, signed into Law a Ban on most Sales of Assault-style Weapons.
House Bill 1240, prohibits the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution, and Sale, of Assault-Style Weapons in Washington, with an Exception for Sales made to Armed Forces and Law Enforcement.
The Bill includes the popular AR-15 Rifle and Dozens of other Semi-Automatic Rifles.
Inslee, speaking at Washington’s Capitol, said “AR-15s should not be idolized, they should be prohibited, and that’s what we’re doing here today.”
The Bill passed the State House last week in a 56 to 42 Vote, after the State Senate passed it days earlier in a 28 to 21 Vote, both Votes fell largely along Party Lines.
“The legislature finds and declares that gun violence is a threat to the public health and safety of Washingtonians,” the Bill says. “Assault weapons are civilian versions of weapons created for the military and are designed to kill humans quickly and efficiently.”
Inslee also signed into Law Measures enacting a 10-day “waiting period and training requirement for all gun purchases” and “empowering consumers with the ability to sue firearm manufacturers or retailers for irresponsible conduct,” according to a Statement from Inslee’s Office.
The State level action comes as Americans grapple with how best to address Gun Violence. The U.S. has already logged 173 Mass Shootings so far this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a Mass Shooting as One in which at least Four People are Shot, excluding the Shooter.
The Ban makes Washington the 10th State to enact broad Restrictions on Assault-Style Weapons, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Washington, DC, also has Restrictions for the Weapons on its Books.
“We are very pleased that this long overdue legislation passed,” Mike Faulk, Inslee’s Press Secretary aid last week.
“The governor has been advocating for this policy since he voted for the federal ban in Congress in 1994. It will save lives working in tandem with other gun reforms moving this session.”
Washington’s Senate Republicans said in a Twitter post last week that, “banning certain weapons is not the solution to gun violence. We must deal with those who are using guns and other weapons to commit violent acts.”
The State’s Republican Party said in a Twitter Post that the Law “is poised to face legal challenges - wasting state resources, while failing to address the root causes of gun violence.”
Legal Challenges have already tied up an Illinois Law Banning certain Firearms and High-Capacity Magazines, after it was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) earlier this year, an example of the hurdles Gun Control Advocates face in their efforts to cut down on the Weapons.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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