Ten’s the Limit? An Attempted Washington Magazine Ban

Ironic that the state bearing the very name of our first president (and his face on their flag) would seek to deny a fundamental American freedom. But they are, and they’re pushing an attempted Washington magazine ban hard. 

“A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined…” George Washington

(George, not the State)

Attempted Washington Magazine Ban

SB 5078 – 2021-22

Addressing firearm safety measures to increase public safety.

The following is an excerpt from a statement released by the Washington State of the Office of the Attorney General.

OLYMPIA — Today, the Washington state Senate passed Attorney General Request legislation sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, banning the sale of high-capacity magazines in Washington by a 28-20 vote. The bill prohibits the sale of magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds. This is the sixth session the Attorney General has proposed this legislation. Today’s vote marks the first time a limit on magazine capacity has passed a chamber of the Washington Legislature.

Senate Bill 5078 prohibits the sale, attempted sale and distribution of high-capacity magazines. It does not prohibit the possession of high-capacity magazines. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

“The Legislature put public safety above the interest of the gun lobby,” Ferguson said. “This historic vote represents an important step toward combating mass shootings. The devastation of mass shootings traumatizes entire communities. The research is clear — bans on the sale of high-capacity magazines saves lives. It’s time for the House of Representatives to act, and send this public safety bill to the Governor.”

“My community lost three beautiful souls to a mass shooter nearly six years ago,” Sen. Liias said. “These tragedies are all too common in America, but they can be prevented through reasonable gun safety legislation. The only use for large-capacity magazines is to inflict the maximum amount of injury in the shortest amount of time, which makes them a favored tool for mass shooters. These are weapons of war and they do not belong in our communities.”

Ferguson first proposed a limit on magazine capacity in 2017.

Nine states restrict high-capacity magazines. More than 93 million people live in states that block sales of magazines with more than 10 rounds.