Headline Roundup • April 25th, 2023
Washington Gov. Signs Bill Banning Certain Semi-Automatic Rifles
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) signed three gun control bills on Tuesday.
Details: The first bill prohibits the manufacture, importation, and sale of certain semi-automatic firearms, including AR- and AK-style rifles. This bill does not outlaw semi-automatic rifle ownership for residents who purchased a now-prohibited style of rifle type before the bill was signed. The second bill imposes a 10-day waiting period on firearm purchases and imposes required safety training measures prior to gun purchases. The third bill requires gun manufacturers and sellers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent dangerous individuals from acquiring guns. This bill allows for manufactures and sellers to be sued for damages by the attorney general or victims of gun violence.
Key Quotes: Inslee signed the bills surrounded by gun-control activists, stating, “Just because they don’t solve all the problems does not mean the state of Washington does not take action. Inaction against gun violence is unacceptable.” The semi-automatic rifle ban is already facing a legal challenge from the Second Amendment Foundation. Alan M. Gottlieb, founder of the foundation, released a statement accusing the Washington legislature of putting “politics ahead of constitutional rights,” stating the bills are “penalizing law-abiding citizens while this legislation does nothing to arrest and prosecute criminals who misuse firearms in defiance of all existing gun control laws.”
How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the bill signings lightly. Fox News placed the term assault weapons in quotation marks. The Associated Press cited national mass shooting statistics.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Jason Redmond / AFP via Getty Images / File
The mood at the Washington State Capitol was jubilant Tuesday as Gov. Jay Inslee signed a trio of gun control bills, one of which immediately bans the manufacture, purchase or importation of so-called assault weapons.
"Party safely tonight," the governor told supporters after signing the bills.
Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, both Democrats, pushed for the gun control package.
With the governor's signature, Washington becomes the 10th state to adopt an "assault weapons" ban.
"No one needs an AR-15 to protect your family," Inslee said while surrounded by family...
Elaine Thompson – Pool/Getty Images
Washington became the latest state to ban the sale of assault rifles on Tuesday, when Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed into law a series of gun safety bills.
“No one needs an AR-15 to protect their family,” Inslee said at Tuesday’s signing. “You only need it to kill other families. And for that reason, we are taking action today.”
He signed into law a trio of bills immediately banning the sale of at least 60 types of assault weapons, establishing a 10-day waiting period and safety training requirement to purchase...
AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a trio of bills meant to address gun violence Tuesday, one banning the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles, one imposing a 10-day waiting period on firearms purchases, and one clearing the way for lawsuits against gun makers or sellers in certain cases.
A crowd of gun-control activists and Democratic lawmakers broke into cheers as Inslee signed the measures, which he said would not solve all gun violence but would save lives.
“Just because they don’t solve all the problems does not mean the state of...
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