BusinessGeneral NewsID State WireJay InsleeOR State WireOregonPoliticsSacramentoTacomaU.S. NewsWA State Wire Judge rejects attempt to block new Washington state gun restrictions by Lucas Garcia June 6, 2023 written by Lucas Garcia June 6, 2023 5 comments Bookmark 52 In a recent development, a federal judge has dismissed a request to block a newly implemented Washington state law that prohibits the sale of specific semi-automatic rifles. This law, one of three signed by Democratic Governor Jay Inslee, aims to combat gun violence in the region. Governor Inslee’s law, signed in April and effective immediately, restricts the sale, distribution, manufacture, and importation of over 50 types of firearms, including rifles resembling AR- and AK-style models. It’s important to note that the law does not prevent individuals who already possess such weapons from keeping them. Various groups, including the Second Amendment Foundation based in Bellevue, the Firearms Policy Coalition based in Sacramento, and individual gun owners and a dealer, swiftly challenged the law in court. They sought an injunction to temporarily block the law while their claim, asserting a violation of their constitutional right to bear arms, underwent a trial. U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan in Tacoma, ruling on the case, stated, “Considering the exceptional dangerousness of these weapons, the public interest in their regulation by the State outweighs the Plaintiffs’ desire to purchase more assault weapons. In light of recent mass deaths caused by assailants using assault weapons, it is appropriate for governmental bodies to find ways to protect the public from dangerous weapons, within the limits of the Second Amendment.” This decision comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last June, which expanded gun rights and led to debates and uncertainties regarding the remaining legal restrictions. The ruling emphasized the necessity for gun laws to align with the “historical tradition of firearm regulation.” Judge Bryan concluded that Washington state’s ban aligns with the nation’s longstanding history of regulating dangerous weapons, citing previous bans on “trap guns” that could be fired without the owner present during colonial times. Other historically regulated weapons include long-bladed Bowie knives and the Thompson submachine gun, colloquially known as the Tommy gun, which gained popularity among gangsters in the post-World War I era. Governor Inslee and State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, both Democrats, advocated for the ban on many semi-automatic firearms in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. After years of unsuccessful attempts, Washington became the 10th state to enact such legislation. Attorney General Ferguson commented, “This common-sense gun reform will save lives by restricting access to the preferred weapon of mass shooters,” in a news release. The United States has been witnessing an alarming rate of mass killings this year, according to a database maintained by The Big Big News, USA Today, and Northeastern University. Cody J. Wisniewski, an attorney with the Firearms Policy Coalition, expressed disappointment with the court’s decision but remained determined to fight for and defend the people’s natural right to self-defense. The other two laws signed by Governor Inslee establish a mandatory 10-day waiting period for firearms purchases and enable lawsuits against gun manufacturers or sellers in specific cases. Meanwhile, a federal trial is currently underway in Oregon, challenging a voter-approved measure that mandates safety training and a background check to obtain a gun permit. The legislation, narrowly passed in November, also prohibits the sale, transfer, or import of gun magazines with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds, except for those owned by law enforcement or military personnel or acquired before the measure’s passage. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about gun restrictionsWhat is the new Washington state law regarding gun restrictions?Who challenged the Washington state gun restrictions in court?What was the outcome of the court challenge?Are there any other gun-related laws signed by Governor Inslee?How does this ruling align with the U.S. Supreme Court decision on gun rights?More about gun restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about gun restrictions What is the new Washington state law regarding gun restrictions? The new Washington state law bans the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles and went into effect immediately after being signed by Governor Jay Inslee in April. It prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacture, and importation of over 50 types of guns, including AR- and AK-style rifles. However, it does not affect the possession of these weapons by individuals who already own them. Who challenged the Washington state gun restrictions in court? The gun rights advocacy groups, the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition, along with individual gun owners and a dealer, challenged the new law in court. They sought a court order to block the law, arguing that it violated their constitutional right to bear arms. What was the outcome of the court challenge? A federal judge in Tacoma rejected the request to block the new gun restrictions. The judge ruled that the public interest in regulating dangerous weapons outweighed the plaintiffs’ desire to purchase more assault weapons. The court found that in light of recent mass shootings, it is appropriate for the government to seek ways to protect the public within the limits of the Second Amendment. Are there any other gun-related laws signed by Governor Inslee? Yes, besides the ban on certain semi-automatic rifles, Governor Inslee signed two other gun-related laws. One establishes a 10-day waiting period for firearms purchases, and the other clears the way for lawsuits against gun makers or sellers in specific cases. How does this ruling align with the U.S. Supreme Court decision on gun rights? The U.S. Supreme Court decision last June expanded gun rights but also emphasized that gun laws must align with the “historical tradition of firearm regulation.” The federal judge found that the Washington state ban fits within the nation’s history of regulating dangerous weapons, citing examples such as colonial-era bans on “trap guns” and the regulation of other weapons like Bowie knives and Thompson submachine guns. More about gun restrictions Washington State Gun Laws Second Amendment Foundation Firearms Policy Coalition U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington U.S. Supreme Court You Might Be Interested In Israel strikes in and around Gaza’s second-largest city in an already bloody new phase of the war This year’s Hajj was held in sweltering heat, and for those serving pilgrims there was little relief Tempers flare and bills languish as Speaker Johnson confronts the same problems that vexed McCarthy Wind-driven rain pelts shores of India, Pakistan as Cyclone Biparjoy pushes into coast NBA Hands Ja Morant a 25-Game Suspension Due to Second Incident with Gun on Social Media Elf Bar Circumvents U.S. Import Restrictions Through Strategic Rebranding Businessconstitutional rightscourt rulingfirearms policy.General Newsgun controlgun restrictionsID State WireJay Insleemass shootingsOR State WireOregonPoliticspublic safetySacramentoSecond Amendmentsemi-automatic riflesTacomaU.S. NewsWA State WireWashington state Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Lucas Garcia Following Author Lucas Garcia, a seasoned business reporter, brings you the latest updates and trends in finance and economics. With a keen eye for market analysis and a knack for spotting investment prospects, he keeps investors informed and ahead of the curve. previous post Sheriff probes self-defense claim of white woman who fatally shot Black neighbor in front of kids next post Virginia jet crash victims remembered: “I could not love a human being more” You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 5 comments JohnDoe74 June 6, 2023 - 10:30 pm Can’t believe the judge rejected the request to block the new gun restrictions in Washington state! What about our rights to bear arms? This is outrageous! Reply Guns4Life June 6, 2023 - 10:30 pm Finally, someone understands the importance of gun control! It’s about time we prioritize public safety over individual desires. Kudos to the judge for making the right call. Reply FreedomFighter99 June 6, 2023 - 10:30 pm This ruling is just another blow to our Second Amendment rights. The government keeps chipping away at our ability to defend ourselves. We need to stand up and fight for our constitutional rights! Reply SafetyFirst22 June 6, 2023 - 10:30 pm It’s refreshing to see that the judge considered the rising number of mass shootings when making this decision. We must find a balance between individual rights and protecting the public from dangerous weapons. Reply ProudGunOwner June 6, 2023 - 10:30 pm I can’t believe they’re restricting our access to semi-automatic rifles! This is a clear violation of our freedom. What’s next? Total disarmament? We need to push back against this infringement on our rights! 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