Sales of AR-15s and a large number of other weapons the state has designated as assault weapons are currently prohibited in Washington State.
The governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, signed a bill into law on Tuesday that forbids the sale, manufacture, and transfer of more than 50 different kinds of semiautomatic weapons.
All semiautomatic rifles shorter than 30 inches are also covered by the ban, in addition to other semiautomatic weapons with features like thumbhole stocks and extra hand grips.
What they’re saying: “Inaction against gun violence is unacceptable in the state of Washington,” Inslee said shortly before signing the bill.
He also addressed opposition from the National Rifle Association, which has supported lawsuits in other states alleging that such bans are unconstitutional.
“We are not intimidated by the NRA,” Inslee said.
Of note: Shortly after Inslee signed the ban into law, the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit challenging it as unconstitutional.
The NRA announced Wednesday it had also filed a lawsuit, as it called the new law “blatantly unconstitutional.”
