Lynnwood Gun store sees spike in sales ahead of new WA gun regulations

Lynnwood Gun told KIRO 7 it had “record numbers” of firearm sales in the days leading up to a new wave of gun regulations which went into effect Monday under voter-approved Initiative 1639.

A total of 176 guns were sold Friday and 136 guns were sold Saturday, according to owner Tiffany Teasdale. She says that selling 40 guns in one day would normally be considered busy.

“Madhouse,” Teasdale said.

Gun store thinks it has found a loophole in I-1639
How Washington’s gun-buying process actually works

Starting July 1, enhanced background checks and waiting periods will be required for the purchase or transfer of semiautomatic rifles in Washington along with new training requirements for new purchases of those same guns.

Gun owners now face criminal liability for failure to safely secure guns. They are also penalized if an unauthorized user accesses the gun, fires it, or hurts someone with it. New regulations for gun store owners like Teasdale include safety warnings and safe storage requirements.

The first wave of regulations under the law, approved by nearly 60 percent of Washington voters in November, took effect at the beginning of the year and included the ban of semiautomatic rifles to anyone younger than 21. Supporters, pointing to mass shootings and other acts of gun violence, say it will make schools and communities safer.

Nearly a dozen sheriffs have said they would not enforce I-1639.

“People are afraid their guns are going to be taken away,” Teasdale said. “They’re buying more guns, just kind of their own protest.”

There’s currently a lawsuit challenging certain provisions of the law.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson released an explainer of the new regulations.