OLYMPIA, Wash. – Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson are putting heat on lawmakers to toughen the state’s gun laws.
They are insisting that the legislature pass a ban on the sale of assault weapons and open the gun industry up to liability if its products are misused in Washington state.
Ferguson’s office says research shows assault-style weapons are much more likely than handguns to be used in mass shootings or against law enforcement.
Their proposed bill would ban the sale, manufacture and import of assault weapons to Washington but would not ban possession of them.
Their other proposal would require the firearm industry to establish rules for the safe manufacture, distribution and sale of guns.
Industry members could be held financially responsible if they fail to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous persons.