At an event in Tukwila on Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced they will jointly request two gun regulation bills they refer to as “common-sense public safety measures.”
One of the proposed bills would ban the sale, manufacturing and importation of “military-style assault weapons” while the other proposal would require gun manufacturers and dealers to take what they consider “reasonable” steps to prevent firearm products from getting into the hands of dangerous individuals, rules they view as similar to what is required of “other purveyors of dangerous goods.”
The bill banning the sale of military-style assault weapons will be sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, and Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds. This bill marks the second time Inslee and Ferguson have called for a ban on the sale of such weapons.
The Firearm Industry Responsibility and Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice Act will be sponsored by Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, and Rep. David Hackney, D-Tukwila. If passed, the law will require firearm manufacturers and sellers to establish, implement and enforce what supporters consider reasonable controls on the manufacture, sale, distribution and marketing of firearms or face penalties. According to a statement released by Ferguson, “the bill ensures that victims have access to justice when the firearms industry fails to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.”
Ferguson’s statement referred to two polls taken in the last year showing what he considers to be “overwhelming” support for banning military-style assault weapons. One poll conducted in July by The Seattle Times, KING 5, the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public and Washington State University’s Murrow College of Communications found over 60% support the action statewide, and a plurality support on both sides of the Cascades, for such a measure. Another poll released in June and conducted by the polling firm Public Policy Polling found 56% of Washington voters support a ban on the sale of assault weapons. The statement also pointed to three ballot initiatives passed by the voters since 2014.
“These policies will save lives and ensure that the gun industry faces real consequences for irresponsible sales and marketing practices,” Ferguson said. “It’s time to act.”
Inslee said he is “proud” to stand with Ferguson on the issue of gun regulations.
“I am sick and tired of the drumbeat of headlines announcing devastating losses of life due to gun violence. I want kids safe at school. I want crowds safe at concerts. I want police safe on the job,” Inslee said.
Nineteenth Legislative District state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, issued a statement on Monday criticizing the proposed legislation. In Walsh’s view, the bills proposed by Inslee and Ferguson are a “waste of taxpayers’ time and money.” Walsh believes the bills would be struck down in federal court if passed, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.
“Washington families have said repeatedly they want Olympia to focus on the immediate problems our state faces: rampant abuse of fentanyl and other hard drugs, skyrocketing property crime rates, out-of-control costs of living, struggling public schools and taxes that are too high. The governor, state attorney general and their allies need to stop wasting state resources and join the rest of us in focusing on what matters,” Walsh said.
Walsh also argued the bills violate Article 1, Section 24 of the Washington state Constitution, which states “the right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired.” In Walsh’s view, any “fair-minded” person would consider the proposed bills a violation of the state constitution.
According to Walsh, the proposed bills don’t make Washington residents better off and instead Inslee and Ferguson should seek to put a school resource officer in every public school building in the state, which he believes would improve school safety.
“Let’s stop wasting time and come together to make Washington a safer, cleaner and more affordable place to live for everyone in this beautiful state,” Walsh said.