The Washington state Senate has passed House Bill 1240, a measure to ban the sale, manufacture and distribution of so-called assault weapons in Washington state.
The bill passed 27-21.
If the bill receives final passage, Washington will join nine other states and Washington, D.C., in banning assault weapons.
The bill itself is simple. It bans the sale, manufacture, and import of assault weapons in the state. It does not ban possession of an assault weapon and it allows for ownership by law enforcement and military service members and an exception in cases of inheritance.
A floor amendment allows for gun manufacturers to sell inventory already in stock prior to Jan. 1, 2023, and only to out-of-state clientele, for 90 days after the bill goes into effect.
Because the bill was amended in the Senate, it must return to the House for further consideration.
