Washington legislature votes to ban sales of high-capacity magazines
OLYMPIA, Wash.– Washington lawmakers voted late Friday night to ban the sale of high-capacity magazines in the state.
Senate Bill 5078 prohibits the sale, attempted sale, manufacture and distribution of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds. It was passed on a 55-42 vote in the Democratic-held House late Friday night. It now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk to be signed into law.
The bill does not outlaw the possession of high-capacity magazines. Washington will join nine states that already restrict high-capacity magazines.
Violations of the law would cause a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in county jail, a maximum fine of up to $5,000, or both. It also means the sale and distribution of high-capacity magazines would violate Washington’s Consumer Protection Act, meaning the attorney general’s office could take action to get restitution and civil penalties.
The high-capacity magazine ban has been introduced several times before in Washington’s Legislature and has repeatedly failed to advance. Nearly all Democrats voted in support of the bill while Republicans voted against it.
The legislation was requested by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
PREVIOUS: Will WA ban high-capacity gun magazines in 2022?
PREVIOUS: Washington Senate bill would ban sales of gun magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds
NEW: Legislature OKs limits on sale of high-capacity magazines
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
