Semi-automatic rifles fill a wall on Oct. 2, 2018 at a gun shop in Lynnwood. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Semi-automatic rifles fill a wall on Oct. 2, 2018 at a gun shop in Lynnwood. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Democrats advance assault weapons ban, new rules for gun buyers

The measures passed a House committee without Republican support. They are part of a broader agenda to curb gun violence.

OLYMPIA — A push to curb gun violence gained momentum Friday when a Democrat-controlled House committee advanced bills to ban the sale of assault weapons and require people to complete a safety training course before they are allowed to buy a firearm.

“While this bill will not cure the scourge that is happening across this country, it is part of the solution,” Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, said before the committee vote on the assault weapons bill. “It will keep our communities safe.”

He has sponsored the legislation for seven years, driven by the memory of three people slain at a Mukilteo house party in 2016 by a man armed with an AR-15-style semiautomatic weapon that would be banned under the bill.

“It’s hugely impactful in the 21st District I represent because of that shooting,” he said.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson started requesting the prohibition in 2017.

“For the first time in seven legislative sessions, our proposed ban on the sale of assault weapons passed out of committee today,” he said Friday. “This is a very positive first step to help keep our communities safer. We have a long road to get this to the governor’s desk. We will push hard to make this happen, because this legislation will save lives.”

Peterson senses a different mood this session.

“The makeup of our caucus is more receptive to common sense gun legislation,” he said following the vote.

Mass shootings at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs last year and in California this month are on his colleagues’ minds. Passage last year of a new state law banning high-capacity ammunition magazines showed they can pass tough policies.

The two measures passed Friday in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee received no Republican votes.

Those bills, along with one allowing people to sue gun manufacturers that passed a Senate panel last week, are major pieces of the agenda Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Democratic lawmakers are pursuing this session.

There’s been a measurable rise in incidents involving guns in Washington since the start of the pandemic. Each year between 2017 and 2021, an average of 852 people were killed by firearms, rising to 896 in 2021, according to data compiled by Inslee’s staff.

House Bill 1240 bans the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of an assault weapon. The bill covers several types of firearms including semiautomatic rifles and semiautomatic pistols that can take detachable magazines, or semiautomatic rifles with a fixed magazine with the capacity of more than 10 rounds. Any violation would constitute a gross misdemeanor.

Antique firearms are excluded. And licensed firearms dealers can still sell assault weapons to state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the military.

“We are a strong no on this policy,” said Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, the committee’s ranking minority member. “Violence is a scourge and we need to do more to prevent violence in our society. But restricting the tool that violent minds use to make mayhem isn’t the right solution. The right solution is to try to reach the violent mind.”

House Bill 1143 requires a person obtain a permit from the Washington State Patrol to buy a gun. And it extends the waiting period to get the gun to 10 days.

To get a permit, a person must undergo a background check and provide proof they completed a certified firearms safety training program within the past five years. These programs must include live-fire training and discussion of subjects such as safe handling and secure storage of guns. Law enforcement officers and active-duty military members are exempt from having to complete the training.

Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, the committee chair, said the requirements are intended to prepare people for the “extraordinary responsibility” of owning a firearm.

“I think these are sensible safety precautions that we should do,” he said.

Walsh said the U.S. Constitution provides a person the right to keep and bear arms and a permit requirement impairs that right.

“This is a bright line for us,” he said. “We will not support impairment of foundational constitutional rights.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

More in Local News

News logo for use with stories about Mill Creek in Snohomish County, WA.
Mill Creek house fire leaves 1 dead

The fire was contained to a garage in the 15300 block of 25th Drive SE. A person was found dead inside.

Firefighters respond to a house fire Wednesday morning in the 3400 block of Broadway. (Everett Fire Department)
3 hospitalized in critical condition after Everett house fire

Firefighters rescued two people, one of whom uses a wheelchair, from the burning home in the 3400 block of Broadway.

The Walmart Store on 11400 Highway 99 on March 21, 2023 in in Everett, Washington. The retail giant will close the store on April 21, 2023. (Janice Podsada / The Herald)
Walmart announces Everett store on Highway 99 will close on April 21

The Arkansas-based retail giant said the 20-year-old Walmart location was “underperforming financially.”

Michael Tolley (Northshore School District)
Michael Tolley named new Northshore School District leader

Tolley, interim superintendent since last summer, is expected to inherit the position permanently in July.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
New forecast show state revenues won’t be quite as robust as expected

Democratic budget writers say they will be cautious but able to fund their priorities. Senate put out a capital budget Monday.

Everett Memorial Stadium and Funko Field on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drive to build new AquaSox ballpark gets $7.4M boost from state

The proposed Senate capital budget contains critical seed money for the city-led project likely to get matched by the House.

Granite Falls
Two suspects charged in motorhome shooting near Granite Falls

Bail was set at $2 million for each of the suspects, Dillon Thomas, 28 and David Koeppen, 37.

Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).
‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

Heybrook Ridge Trail packs stunning views and a moss-covered forest in a 3.3 mile round-trip package.

Angelica Montanari and daughter Makena, 1, outside of the Community Health Center of Snohomish County Everett-Central Clinic on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providers at Community Health Center of Snohomish County vote to form a union

Providers expressed hope for improving patient care and making their voices heard with management.

Most Read