Washington state will likely join nine other states in banning the sale of AR-15 rifles, as well as other “assault weapons,” after the state House passed a ban on sales of ” of assault” by a vote of 56-42.
Gov. Jay Inslee praised the bill’s passage Wednesday, tweeting, “WA does not and will not accept gun violence as normal.”
“Banning the sale of assault weapons, our bill to enact training requirements and a waiting period, and our bill to improve manufacturer and retailer accountability will save lives. #waleg” , added.
The legislation defines “assault weapon” as “any of the following specific firearms, regardless of which company produced and manufactured” the weapon:
AK-74 in all forms Algimec AGM-1 semi-automatic type American Arms Specter semi-automatic carbine AR15, M16 or M4 in all forms AR 180 semi-automatic type LSR Argentine semi-automatic Australian Automatic Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semi-automatic Barrett .50 cal semi-automatic lightweight Barrett .50 cal M87 Barrett .50 cal M107A1 Barrett REC7 Beretta AR70/S70 semi-automatic type Bushmaster Carbon 15 Bushmaster ACR Bushmaster XM-15 Bushmaster MOE Calico models M100 and M900 CETME Sporter CIS SR 88 semi-automatic type Colt CAR K-1 Daewoo CAR 15 Daewoo -2 Dragunov semi-autos Fabrique Nationale FAL in all forms Fabrique Nationale F2000 Fabrique Nationale L1A1 Sporter Fabrique Nationale M249S Fabrique Nationale PS90 Fabrique Nationale SCAR FAMAS .223 semi-autos Galil Heckler & Koch G3 in all forms Heckler & Koch HK-41/91 HK -41/91 -43/93 Heckler & Koch HK94A2/3 Heckler & Koch MP-5 in all forms Heckler & Koch PSG-1 Heckler & Koch SL8 Heckler & Koch UMP Manchester Arms Commando MK-45 Manchester Arms MK-9 SAR -4800 SIG AMT SG510 in all forms SIG SG550 in all forms SKS Specter M4 Springfield Armory BM-59 Springfield Armory G3 Springfield Armory SAR-8 Springfield Armory SAR-48 Springfield Armory SAR-3 Springfield Armory M-21 sniper Springfield Armory M1A Smith & Wesson M&P Mk 15 Sterling 1 Carbine/Rifle Sterling Mk 6/7 Steyr AUG TNW M230 FAMAS F11 Uzi 9mm
The bill prohibits the sale, manufacture and importation of the aforementioned “assault weapons.” Exceptions were included in the bill for military and police personnel.
Earlier this month, Inslee called the “assault weapons” ban an “important step for the state of Washington.”
“Time and time again we’ve seen the carnage these guns allow people to wreak on communities. Time and time again we’ve seen the NRA and politicians defend, normalize and even celebrate these guns. But now it’s the moment when the will of the majority prevails and we put the lives of our children ahead,” he added in a statement.
While lawmakers in 10 states work to restrict Second Amendment rights, 26 other states have enacted “constitutional carry” laws, allowing Americans to carry concealed weapons without a permit.
Nebraska is the latest state to pass constitutional legislation, which Gov. Jim Pillen has said he would sign.