Individual gun restrictions advance, assault rifle ban stalls

Democrats in the Washington Legislature are advancing new targeted gun restrictions, but so far have left out their broadest measure — a ban on assault weapons — SB 5540

A handful of proposals to tighten gun laws in piecemeal fashion had all advanced by Tuesday, but twin bills banning assault weapons missed a key deadline, following a national trend toward narrower restrictions over sweeping legislation.

Restrictions aimed at domestic violence perpetrators, individuals found incompetent to stand trial, and subjects of restraining or protective orders had all moved toward full-chamber votes in the Legislature, along with a proposal restricting undetectable plastic guns.

But a proposed assault weapons ban appeared close to failing for a seventh consecutive year after its Senate sponsor said it was likely dead over technical issues. Bills sponsors are Kuderer, Dhingra, Carlyle, Hunt, Keiser, Nguyen, Saldaña, Wellman.

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