Three variations of the AR-15 assault rifle are displayed on Aug. 15, 2012 at the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,file)

Three variations of the AR-15 assault rifle are displayed on Aug. 15, 2012 at the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,file)

State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again

Senators debated and voted for a second time, after the House rejected what they passed April 8.

OLYMPIA — For the second time in 10 days, the state Senate has approved legislation aimed at banning the sale of assault-style weapons.

The Democrat-controlled Senate on Tuesday passed House Bill 1240 banning the manufacture, distribution and sale of certain semiautomatic firearms on a nearly party-line 28-21 vote. One Democrat, Sen. Kevin Van De Wege of Lake Sutherland, joined all Republicans in opposing the measure.

Senators spent nearly 3½ hours debating and passing the measure the day before Easter, then sent it to the House for final action.

But the House didn’t concur, ruling changes made by the Senate out of order and sending it back — prompting Tuesday’s redux.

This time, majority Democrats rejected every amendment proposed by Republican senators including removing the emergency clause, the presence of which prevents a referendum. Then they voted again.

“America has a gun violence problem. It has a gun violence epidemic. It’s time we act like the responsible adults people demand we act like,” said Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, who sponsored the same bill in the Senate. “We have to be willing to put people before profit and people before guns.”

Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, a retired U.S. Navy commander who dissented, lamented the Senate rejected language to study the effect of the legislation to reduce gun violence.

“It’s not going to make a difference. It’s not going to change anything,” he said.

The bill now goes back to the House for its expected concurrence, then to Gov. Jay Inslee for his expected signing.

Under the bill, 61 specific firearms, defined broadly as semiautomatic pistols and semiautomatic rifles with detachable ammunition magazines, would be outlawed. Among them are AK-47s in all forms, Uzi 9 mm carbines, AR-15s, M16s and Beretta AR70 and S70 semiautomatics.

There are exceptions for manufacture and sale to law enforcement and the military. It does not bar the possession of assault weapons. Once the bill is signed, gun dealers will have 90 days to sell any stock purchased before Jan. 1, 2023, to people outside of Washington.

Washington is poised to join eight states with similar assault weapon restrictions. Like elsewhere, Washington’s legislation is almost certain to be challenged in court. To date, bans in those other states have withstood legal challenge, according to Washington’s attorney general’s office.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.