After Mass Shootings, AG Renews Call For Gun Control Reforms

OLYMPIA, WA — The recent mass shootings have reignited the debate over gun control legislation. Now, some of Washington state's top elected officials weighing in.

Last Tuesday, a gunman went on a rampage at three Atlanta-area massage parlors, killing eight people. Monday saw another mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado, when a gunman opened fire in a crowded grocery store, killing 10.

Though those two drew the most national attention, the Boulder incident actually marked the seventh mass shooting in America in just seven days.

In response to this string of tragedies, the Evergreen State's lawmakers are asking themselves, and the public, if there is anything that can be done to stop these tragic incidents from recurring.

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson released a statement on the issue Wednesday, saying that now was the time to act and save lives.

"The media is reporting that a 21-year-old mass shooter in Boulder used an AR-15 style rifle to kill 10 individuals, including a police officer. An entire community is traumatized and the nation is griving," Ferguson said. "An AR-15 style assault weapon remains legal to purchase in Washington state. That needs to change."

The attorney general is pointing to several bills his office has requested and which have made it onto this year's legislative agenda, including a proposal to place limits on high-capacity magazine sales. The bill would limit magazines sold in Washington to 10 rounds, except for police officers, military uses and at shooting ranges. As the attorney general's request notes, nine states already have similar laws on the books, and six of those have a lower rate of gun violence than Washington.

Another proposal, SB 5217 / HB 1229, would ban military-style assault weapons outright. The proposal defines assault weapons as semi-automatics with one or more military-style feature, like a telescoping stock, pistol grip or detachable high capacity magazine.

While similar efforts have failed in the past, Ferguson says both of these are a serious possibility for Washington.

"Washingtonians need to understand that their Legislature could enact constitutional, common-sense policies that will make our communities safer from mass shootings, including banning the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, but refuses to do so," Ferguon said. "Enough is enough. I will continue fighting for these reforms until they pass."

Perhaps more importantly, other state lawmakers are signaling that they are on board. Both of the above-mentioned bills were requested by Ferguson's office, but each found multiple sponsors willing to take them to the state legislature. In addition, Gov. Jay Inslee has also joined Ferguson in calling for reform.

"As a state, we have taken important steps to protect our citizens from gun violence, but there is still much to be done," Inslee said. "Now is the time to act to protect the people of this country."

The assault rifle ban has been introduced in the state House and Senate, and both versions are headed to committee. The Senate version of the high capacity magazine ban has stalled, but it remains under consideration in the House.