New Gun Restrictions Move Forward In Washington Legislature

OLYMPIA, WA — A proposal to ban firearms from city council, county council and school board meetings is making its way through the Washington State Legislature.

The House of Representatives on Monday approved HB 1630, which prohibits the open carry of firearms at city council and county council meetings, and carrying any firearms — open or concealed — at school board meetings and ballot counting centers.

“This bill is about public safety and access to democracy. Guns do not belong at school board meetings, ballot counting locations or local council meetings,” said sponsor Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island). “Local officials and election workers deserve to feel safe when serving their communities. And all Washingtonians deserve safe participation in civic engagement without intimidation and fear.”

If approved by the state Senate and Gov. Jay Inslee, the bill would make violations a gross misdemeanor. In Washington, gross misdemeanors are punishable by up to 364 days behind bars and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

HB 1630 follows a similar piece of legislation from last year, which banned the open carry of weapons at permitted protests and on the Capitol campus. That move came as a reaction to post-election clashes, including two shootings in December 2020.

Supporters of the new bill say broadening the open carry ban will help protect elected officials, and point to a recent survey from the National League of Cities, which found that 81 percent of elected local officials reported having experienced harassment, threats and violence. The survey also found that 87 percent said they had seen an increase in attacks on public officials.

“Guns have no place in our civil discourse,” Senn said. “Nobody needs a gun to make their voice heard in our democracy, and nobody should face armed intimidation.”

Opponents of the bill argued that it may be unconstitutional, The News Tribune reported. As with the Senate's recent vote to ban high-capacity magazines, opposition largely falls along political lines, with Republicans opposing the proposed restrictions.

“Remember, people who seek to do harm won’t obey this bill as written — in most cases, they’re going to obtain weapons illegally and do harm,” said Rep. Bob McCaslin (R-Spokane Valley). “So if this bill becomes law, it is going to keep people who could legally defend others and themselves in these areas from doing so.”

Washington state law already bans guns in jails, courthouses and schools. Supporters argue adding legislative meetings and ballot processing centers may help safeguard democracy.

“I strongly support this bill because it helps keep our election workers safe, protecting our democracy on its most local level in the same way we protect our courthouses and public schools,” said Rep. April Berg (D-Mill Creek).

HB 1630 passed the House on a vote of 57 to 41. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.