After years of stalled efforts, state lawmakers approve ban on high-capacity magazines
Mar 4, 2022, 11:24 PM | Updated: Mar 5, 2022, 7:47 am
Thousands of protesters at a rally following a march in favor of gun control at the Seattle Center on March 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
After multiple years on the legislative agenda for Washington Democrats, a ban on high-capacity magazines has finally been passed by the state Legislature.
Gun safety advocates push Olympia on high capacity magazines
Various versions of a ban on high-capacity magazines have been on the agenda for state Democrats dating back years, but have each failed in turn to win passage. While earlier versions centered on restricting possession, 2022’s iteration focused on the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of high-capacity magazines. And unlike drafts proposed in previous sessions, SB 5078 will make it a violation of the Consumer Protection Act rather than a gross misdemeanor.
“Today is the fulfillment of years of hard work from so many,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a press release. “More than five years ago, I stood with the parents of shooting victims, legislators, mayors, police chiefs and representatives from faith communities to say enough is enough, and proposed banning the sale of high-capacity magazines in Washington state.”
“Today, our Legislature chose public safety over the gun lobby, and I am deeply appreciative of their service,” he added.
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In practice, SB 5078 will ban the sale of magazines with more than 10 rounds. In previous years, Democrats had floated versions that would have set the limit at magazines with no more than 15 rounds, each time failing to make it all the way to full vote thanks to a variety of delay tactics from opponents in the Legislature. To wit, in 2020, Republicans ran out the clock by proposing over 100 amendments.
But in 2022, supporters expressed confidence in their ability to push their proposal across the finish line early on in the legislative session, citing the prevalence of large capacity magazines in mass shootings across the United States. That saw the bill get passed late Friday night by a 55-42 margin in the state House. It will next head to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for final approval.
