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-Land of the Free
Washington Governor Signs AR-15 Ban: ‘No Reason Other Than Mass Murder'
2023-04-26
[NATIONALREVIEW] Washington governor Jay Inslee signed three gun control bills on Tuesday, including a ban on AR-15s and dozens of other semiautomatic rifles, which goes into effect immediately.

In addition to the assault-weapons ban, a ten-day waiting period for all gun purchases will be instituted. There is also a measure to enable the state attorney general or private citizens to sue gun manufacturers and dealers under public-nuisance laws if they negligently allow their guns to be sold to minors or straw purchasers, the Seattle Times reported.

"These weapons of war, assault weapons, have no reason other than mass murder," Inslee said at the signing ceremony. "Their only purpose is to kill humans as rapidly as possible in large numbers."

House Bill 1240 bans the sale, transfer, distribution, manufacture, and importation of 62 gun models it defines as "assault weapons." The ban applies only to gun sales, not to guns people already own.

"The legislature finds and declares that gun violence is a threat to the public health and safety of Washingtonians. Assault weapons are civilian versions of weapons created for the military and are designed to kill humans quickly and efficiently," read the bill.

Washington is the 10th state to institute such a ban. New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois have similar laws on the books.

Opponents of the gun-control package immediately reacted by filing a legal challenge against the assault-weapons ban. Plaintiffs include the Second Amendment Foundation, based in Bellevue, Washington.

"The State of Washington has criminalized one of the most common and important means by which its citizens can exercise their fundamental right to self-defense. By banning manufacturing, importation, distribution, and sale of common semiautomatic rifles, the State has barred law-abiding residents from legally acquiring common rifles and has deprived them of an effective means of self-defense and their fundamental individual right to keep and bear arms," read the legal filing.

House Bill 1143, which institutes a waiting period, also requires a permit to purchase firearms, prohibits firearm transfers prior to the completion of a background check, and requires proof that purchasers of guns have completed gun-safety training.

Senate Bill 5078, the third measure, is aimed at establishing rules for firearm industry members to prevent sales to minors or those who buy a gun for someone else who might not be allowed to — that is, straw purchasers. The bill enables public-nuisance suits, which some groups focused on protecting consumers say are being weaponized to accomplish liberal policy goals.

All three of the bills passed the Washington legislature on largely party line votes.
Related:
Jay Inslee: 2023-04-11 Korean restaurant sues Seattle after suffering losses during deadly 2020 CHAZ occupation
Jay Inslee: 2023-03-24 Washington (state) bill to ban sale of assault weapons goes to Senate
Jay Inslee: 2022-08-27 Washington and Massachusetts to follow California's gas car sales ban
Related:
Ban on AR-15: 2021-02-05 FBI Stats Indicate Americans Buying Guns at ‘Blistering Pace’: Expert
Ban on AR-15: 2019-10-31 Judge Strikes Pittsburgh Ban on Use of AR-15s, ‘High Cap’ Magazines
Ban on AR-15: 2015-03-16 Video: Congressional Democrats demand ATF revive AR-15 bullet ban
Posted by:746

#9  According to their concepts of Democracy, more than half the states have Constitutional Carry, so all states should be Constitutional Carry.

Congratulations, Nebraska.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2023-04-26 18:55  

#8  In most states, .223 is considered insufficient for deer sized game.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2023-04-26 14:23  

#7  My AR isn't an assault weapon. It's great for coyote control. There was a mountain lion/cougar in my pasture last Friday. I won't kill it unless I absolutely have too. AR would do the job there, too. My .45 should be sufficient for a bear. The was a bear attack not too far from me. Inslee is a bugwit.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2023-04-26 14:17  

#6  have no reason other than mass murder

Don't sign it!
-tranny lobby
Posted by: swksvolFF   2023-04-26 13:53  

#5  The entire West Coast isn't a steaming pile of escrement - just around major cities like LA, SF, Portland, Seattle - unfortunately they tend to dominate their respective states. Hence the movement for many Oregon counties to join Idaho...

Plus - I don't think Washington State has had a real election since they implemented mandatory mail-in balloting. Ever since then all major issues have gone left. Every. Single. One.

Glad I'm out of there....
Posted by: CrazyFool in Texas   2023-04-26 13:46  

#4  What whole West Coast is just a steamy pile of sh!t.
Posted by: DooDahMan   2023-04-26 13:11  

#3  Idiot Inslee is the exact reason we need AR-15's.

Weapons of war in civilian hands is the entire point of the second amendment.
Posted by: CrazyFool in Texas   2023-04-26 13:10  

#2  It will not withstand the constitutional challenge.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2023-04-26 08:13  

#1  Actually the reason is to protect ourselves from tyrants like you. Say when.
Posted by: DarthVader   2023-04-26 02:41  

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