The Washington state legislature has taken a significant step toward tightening gun control by approving a ban on a wide range of semi-automatic rifles on Wednesday, according to a report from The Associated Press (AP).
The move is apparently aimed at curbing the increasing incidence of mass shootings across the United States.
The legislation establishes “firearms-related safety measures to increase public safety by prohibiting the manufacture, importation, distribution, selling, and offering for sale of assault weapons,” among other measures.
Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, is anticipated to sign HB 1240 into law, which will outlaw guns that fire one bullet per trigger pull and automatically reload for the next shot.
Responding to the passage of the bill, Gov. Inslee tweeted that Washington “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 the bill to improve the accountability of manufacturers and retailers will save lives,” he went on to say.
The new legislation will prohibit the sale, manufacture, distribution, and importation of over 50 different gun models, such as the AR-15s, AK-47s, and other similar-style rifles.
However, certain exemptions are provided for sales to law enforcement agencies and the military within the state and the law does not restrict the possession of these weapons by those who currently own them.
State Sen. Lynda Wilson (R-Vancouver) criticized the legislation, stating, “HB 1240 clearly violates our state and federal constitutions, which is why it will end up in court immediately,” AP noted.
