AP

Washington governor signs bills tightening gun rules

Mar 23, 2022, 2:07 PM | Updated: Mar 24, 2022, 12:03 pm

              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, left, speaks at the podium with supporters and lawmakers behind him before signing a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee wears a mask as he listens to questions from reporters after he signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Pens bearing the signature of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee rest on a tray before Inslee signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, rear-center, poses for a photo with lawmakers and supporters after he signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Kim Gatbunton, center, holds a photo of her son Josh Gatbunton, who was shot and killed during a 2008 robbery at an apartment in Tacoma, Wash., as she talks with reporters along with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., after Inslee signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Kim Gatbunton, center, holds a photo of her son Josh Gatbunton, who was shot and killed during a 2008 robbery at an apartment in Tacoma, Wash., as she listens to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, lower left, speak Wednesday, March 23, 2022, before signing a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee hands a pen to his wife Trudi after he signed one of three bills in a package of measures to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at the podium with supporters behind him before signing a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, right, gestures towards Gov. Jay Inslee, left, during a ceremony where Inslee signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks before Gov. Jay Inslee signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee walks with his wife Trudi after he signed a package of bills to tighten gun laws in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs a bill that bans the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., as his wife Trudi, center-right, and other supporters applaud. The measure was one of three in a package of bills tightening the state's gun laws that were signed Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
            
              Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs a bill that bans the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition in Washington state, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The measure was one of three in a package of bills tightening the state's gun laws that were signed Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a package of bills Wednesday tightening the state’s gun laws, including a measure that bans the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Washington joins nine other states, including California and New Jersey, that restrict magazine capacity size.

“We are not willing to accept gun violence as a normal part of life in the state of Washington,” Inslee, a Democrat, said at a news conference in the Capitol’s state reception room, where he was surrounded by lawmakers and other supporters of the new laws.

The Capitol was closed to the public for several hours before and after the bill signing. A spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol said that there was no specific threat, but that the temporary closure was a “prudent precaution.”

Washington’s measure, which takes effect July 1, does not prohibit the possession of such magazines. It also includes exceptions to magazine limits for law enforcement and corrections officers, members of the armed forces, Washington’s National Guard and licensed firearms dealers who sell to those institutions.

Violations would be a gross misdemeanor, which in Washington is punishable by up to 364 days in county jail, a maximum fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The measure was requested by Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who said that a 2016 shooting at a party in Mukilteo — in which a 30-round magazine was used, killing three teens and seriously injuring another — and his conversations with the parent of a survivor motivated him to push for the bill every year since.

“It’s individuals who are directly impacted by gun violence. When they speak, politicians respond,” Ferguson said.

The new law also makes selling a prohibited magazine or offering one for distribution or sale a violation of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act, which allows the attorney general’s office to take action on alleged violations of the act to get restitution and civil penalties.

In a statement issued after the bill signing, the Sacramento, California-based Firearms Policy Coalition said that it plans to lead a lawsuit over the new law, saying that it “condemns this latest act of state aggression and will not allow this law to go unchallenged.” The group said it was looking for Washington residents who could be potential plaintiffs in the planned action.

Ferguson said that he was confident that the ban was constitutional and that his office could successfully defend any potential litigation. He pointed to appellate history with other states with bans, including California, where the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a ruling by two of its judges and upheld California’s law in November.

Inslee also signed a measure that prohibits people from knowingly bringing weapons — either openly carried or carried with a concealed pistol license — to ballot counting sites and on-campus school board meetings. The new law also bans openly carried firearms at local government meetings and election-related facilities such as county election offices, off-campus school board meetings and local government meetings, though people who have concealed pistol licenses would be allowed to carry their concealed weapon in those locations.

Firearms are already prohibited at several designated places statewide, including restricted areas of jails, courtrooms, taverns and commercial airports. And last year, lawmakers approved a ban on openly carrying guns and other weapons at the Washington state Capitol, part of the Capitol campus and public protests statewide.

“No one — no one — should be prevented from accessing their government due to fear of armed intimidation,” said Democratic Rep. Tana Senn, the bill’s sponsor.

Law enforcement is exempt from the restrictions, as are any security personnel hired at a location.

Violation of the law would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000. Second or subsequent violations would be a gross misdemeanor.

Additionally, any person convicted would have their concealed pistol license revoked for three years.

Under the measure, a person must knowingly be in violation of the law in order for the criminal penalty to apply.

A third measure signed by Inslee on Wednesday adds further restrictions to the law on the manufacture, sale, or possession of so-called ghost guns by prohibiting people from possessing components to build an untraceable firearm, as well as possessing any firearms built after 2019 that don’t have serial numbers. Hobbyists will be able to continue making guns at home, but under the new law they must use components with serial numbers.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

File - People shop at an Apple store in the Westfield Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, New Jerse...
Associated Press

A key inflation gauge tracked by the Fed slowed in February

The Federal Reserve's favored inflation gauge slowed sharply last month, an encouraging sign in the Fed's yearlong effort to cool price pressures through steadily higher interest rates.
2 days ago
FILE - The OpenAI logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen displaying output fr...
Associated Press

Musk, scientists call for halt to AI race sparked by ChatGPT

Are tech companies moving too fast in rolling out powerful artificial intelligence technology that could one day outsmart humans?
3 days ago
starbucks...
Associated Press

Starbucks leader grilled by Senate over anti-union actions

Longtime Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz faced sharp questioning Wednesday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
4 days ago
FILE - The overdose-reversal drug Narcan is displayed during training for employees of the Public H...
Associated Press

FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan; here’s what it means

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling naloxone without a prescription, the first over-the-counter opioid treatment.
4 days ago
FILE - A Seattle police officer walks past tents used by people experiencing homelessness, March 11...
Associated Press

Seattle, feds seek to end most oversight of city’s police

  SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department and Seattle officials asked a judge Tuesday to end most federal oversight of the city’s police department, saying its sustained, decade-long reform efforts are a model for other cities whose law enforcement agencies face federal civil rights investigations. Seattle has overhauled virtually all aspects of its police […]
5 days ago
capital gains tax budgets...
Associated Press

Washington moves to end child sex abuse lawsuit time limits

People who were sexually abused as children in Washington state may soon be able to bring lawsuits against the state, schools or other institutions for failing to stop the abuse, no matter when it happened.
5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Compassion International...

Brock Huard and Friends Rally Around The Fight for First Campaign

Professional athletes are teaming up to prevent infant mortality and empower women at risk in communities facing severe poverty.
Emergency Preparedness...

Prepare for the next disaster at the Emergency Preparedness Conference

Being prepared before the next emergency arrives is key to preserving businesses and organizations of many kinds.
SHIBA volunteer...

Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options!

If you’re retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you!
safety from crime...

As crime increases, our safety measures must too

It's easy to be accused of fearmongering regarding crime, but Seattle residents might have good reason to be concerned for their safety.
Comcast Ready for Business Fund...
Ilona Lohrey | President and CEO, GSBA

GSBA is closing the disparity gap with Ready for Business Fund

GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund.
SHIBA WA...

Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help!

The SHIBA program – part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner – is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions.
Washington governor signs bills tightening gun rules