Washington state forges ahead with three of the most extreme gun control bills in the nation

The Washington State Senate is considering passing three of the most extreme gun control bills in the country.

Assault Weapons Ban/Ban on Most Semi-Automatic Rifles

SB 5217 would establish a traditional Assault Weapons Ban, which includes modern sporting rifles, such as the AR-15.

What makes this bill even more extreme is it bans most semi-automatic rifles.

According to the bill, all “assault weapons” and their “copycats” are banned. Notice

“‘Copycat weapon’ means a semiautomatic, centerfire firearm that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine” as well as one other feature, such as a suppressor, threaded barrel, muzzle brake, or grenade launcher.

“High-capacity” Magazine Ban

SB 5078 would create a “high-capacity” magazine ban. To skirt the Ninth Circuit’s ruling in Duncan v. Becerra, which struck down California’s “high-capacity” magazine ban, Washington State would grandfather in those that already own these magazines.

“The legislature does not intend to create a blanket ban, but only to limit the prospective sale of large capacity magazines, allowing existing legal owners to retain large capacity magazines for the purposes of defending themselves and their homes and using those large capacity magazines in other authorized locations,” the bill reads.

Interestingly enough, the bill also redefines what constitutes as a “high-capacity” magazine. Traditionally, anti-gunners consider magazines that hold 10 rounds or less as “normal” and 11+ rounds as “high-capacity.” SB 5078 changes the definition to 12+ rounds.

“Ghost Gun” and Bump Stock Ban

HB 1705 is rather redundant to federal legislation. It bans new “ghost guns” from being built. Those that own these firearms must have serial numbers before selling to an FFL, which is already federal law.

The bill also outlaws bump stocks, which are deemed a “machinegun” under the Gun Control Act and National Firearms Act. The ATF changed the bump stock designation after the Route 91 shooting in Las Vegas.