New Gun Laws in 2024 for Washington

The State of Washington is going to implement the following new gun laws in 2024 aimed at reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety. These measures reflect broader national debates on the balance between Second Amendment rights and the need for public safety measures.

Background

With the increasing threat of mass shootings, domestic violence incidents involving firearms, and unintended shootings in Washington, the advocacy movement for stricter gun laws has gained momentum. The advocacy groups for gun control tend to emphasize that stricter laws are the only way to slow down the rising gun violence rate and safeguard society. On the opposite side of the same argument, the proponents of gun rights show that such measures violate the Constitution and unfairly punish law-abiding gun owners.

Key Provisions of the New Laws

The new legislation encompasses several critical areas, aiming to tighten controls around the ownership, sale, and use of firearms in the state:

• Universal Background Checks: Expanding background checks to cover all gun sales and transfers, including private transactions and gun shows, to ensure that individuals prohibited from owning guns cannot legally acquire them.
• Red Flag Laws: Enhancing the state’s “red flag” laws, which allow courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), temporarily confiscating guns from individuals deemed a significant risk to themselves or others.
• Assault Weapons Ban: Implementing a ban on the sale, manufacture, and importation of assault-style weapons, defined by specific features that increase a firearm’s lethality.
• Magazine Capacity Limits: Restricting the sale and possession of magazines that hold more than a certain number of rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement and military personnel.
• Safe Storage Requirements: Introducing laws that mandate secure storage of firearms when not in use to prevent accidental shootings and access by unauthorized individuals, particularly children.
• Waiting Periods: Establishing mandatory waiting periods between the purchase of a firearm and its transfer to the buyer to help prevent impulsive acts of violence.

Implications for Residents

Therefore, for Washington residents, these laws will necessitate adjustments in how they purchase, store, and handle firearms. Gun owners will need to go through more demanding background checks and might have to amend or forfeit certain weapons or accessories which now will be banned or will be subjected to new restrictions. In addition, gun buyers will face longer waiting periods and may have to navigate additional legal requirements to legally obtain firearms.

Reactions and Responses

The new gun laws have been shown to provoke different responses among state residents. Gun control proponents view this law as a vital step to promote the decrease of gun violence and save lives. They argue that these measures are common-sense approaches to gun safety that respect the rights of gun owners while protecting the public. However, opponents of the new laws argue that they infringe on Second Amendment rights and penalize responsible gun owners for the actions of a few criminals. Some groups have vowed to challenge the legislation in court, arguing that it violates constitutional rights.

Other Gun Laws in Washington

In addition to the new gun laws, Washington passed laws in 2023 to hold gun industry members accountable when their actions result in harm, ban the sale and manufacture of assault weapons, and require background checks for all gun sales, including private transactions. The state is seeing an uptick in crime, and gun restrictions have been imposed in the last few years. However, concealed pistol license holders are the most law-abiding citizens in the country, and restricting the law-abiding person’s ability to defend themselves will never curb criminal activity.

Impact on Neighboring States

Washington’s new gun laws will impact people on both sides of the state line. Those buying a gun in Washington will be required to wait 10 days and complete a gun safety training program. Washington and Idaho both have laws that address how these new restrictions apply to a Washington resident buying a gun in Idaho, and to an Idaho resident buying a gun in Washington. Washington’s RCW 9.41.124 focuses on firearm purchases by out-of-state residents.

While it allows out-of-state residents to buy rifles and shotguns sold in Washington, they are also subject to Washington firearm purchasing laws. This includes the 10-day waiting period, background check, and safety training program. If a Washington resident wanted to buy a firearm in Idaho, they would still be subject to Washington’s 10-day waiting period. That’s because Idaho law says out-of-state residents are subject to both Idaho purchasing laws and laws from the state they currently live in.

Proposed Legislation

Washington Democrats are proposing several new pieces of legislation aimed at reducing firearm violence in the state. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, a public hearing on five of the measures was conducted in a packed room before the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee. More than 1,000 people signed in opposition to the bills, while more than 800 people signed in support of the proposals.

Conclusions

The new gun laws in Washington State, set to be introduced in 2024, represent a significant step towards addressing the complex issue of gun violence and enhancing public safety. These measures, including universal background checks, red flag laws, assault weapons ban, magazine capacity limits, safe storage requirements, and waiting periods, reflect the state’s commitment to tightening controls around the ownership, sale, and use of firearms.

While these laws have been hailed by gun control advocates as common-sense approaches to gun safety, respecting the rights of gun owners while protecting the public, they have also faced opposition from those who argue that they infringe on Second Amendment rights and penalize responsible gun owners. The impact of these laws extends beyond Washington, affecting neighboring states such as Idaho, where individuals buying a gun in Washington will be subject to a 10-day waiting period and a gun safety training program.

The broader implications of these laws, including their potential influence on future gun control efforts in other states, mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing national debate about gun safety. The mixed reactions and ongoing legislative proposals in Washington underscore the deeply divisive nature of this issue and the challenges in finding a balanced approach that addresses concerns about gun violence while respecting constitutional rights.