Background:

A firearm magazine can hold several rounds of ammunition and is detachable from the firearm.  Washington law does not impose regulations relating to ammunition or ammunition magazines, aside from a requirement that firearms dealers must obtain a license to sell ammunition.  In 1994, Congress enacted a ban on the manufacture, transfer, and possession of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition, but exempted assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices that were manufactured before the law became effective.  This law was subject to a sunset provision and expired in 2004.

 

Nine states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws that prohibit or place restrictions on large capacity magazines, typically defined as magazines capable of accepting more than ten or 15 rounds of ammunition.  Some of these state laws completely ban the manufacture, transfer, or possession of large capacity magazines, while others exempt large capacity magazines that were possessed prior to the law's effective date. 

 

Gross Misdemeanors.  Every person convicted of a gross misdemeanor defined in law shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term, fixed by the court, up to 364 days, or by a fine, in an amount fixed by the court, of not more than $5,000, or by both.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

A large capacity magazine is defined as an ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 17 rounds of ammunition, or any conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from which such a device can be assembled if in the possession of the same person.  A large capacity magazine does not include:

• an ammunition feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 17 rounds of ammunition,
• a 22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device, or
• a tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.

 

A person may not manufacture, possess, distribute, import, transfer, sell, offer for sale, purchase, or otherwise transfer a large capacity magazine except as specifically authorized.  

 

The ban does not apply to the following:

• any person who legally possessed the large capacity magazine prior to the effective date of this law;
• any person who inherits the large capacity magazine on the death of the former owner who legally possessed it;
• any government officer, agent, or employee, or contractor hired to provide firearms training to law enforcement if authorized in connection with official duties;
• a licensed firearms manufacturer for the purpose of sale to any branch of the armed forces or to a law enforcement agency;
• a dealer properly licensed for the purpose of sale to any branch of the armed forces or to a law enforcement agency;
• a dealer properly licensed to acquire a large capacity magazine from a person legally authorized to possess it for the purpose of selling or transferring the large capacity magazine to a person who does not reside in this state;
• a federally licensed gunsmith for the purposes of service or repair;
• law enforcement or corrections officers within the scope of official duties;
• law enforcement officers retired from service or for physical disabilities;
• members of the armed forces of the United States or state of Washington, or national guard or military reserves if authorized within the scope of official duties;
• any person lawfully engaged in shooting at a licensed shooting range; and
• any person for the purpose of permanently relinquishing it to law enforcement, which must be destroyed.

 

A person who legally possessed the large capacity magazine prior to the effective date of this law, or other person who legally inherits a large capacity magazine must comply with the following:

• the person must not sell or transfer the magazine to any other person in this state other than a licensed dealer, federally licensed gunsmith for repair, or to a law enforcement agency for permanent relinquishment; and
• the person must possess the large capacity magazine only on property owned or controlled by the person, at a licensed shooting range, during lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, and in transit to and from those locations provided the large capacity magazine is stored unloaded and in a separate locked container during transport.

 

A violation is a gross misdemeanor offense.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

• Adds intent language distinguishing the bill from the California law challenged in Duncan v. Becerra.
• Changes the definition of a large capacity magazine to a magazine that holds more than 17 rounds of ammunition.
• Provides a presumption for a person who legally possessed a large capacity magazine prior to the effective date with photo evidence of that possession.
• Removes an exception for retired law enforcement.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO:  I believe that our 2nd amendment constitutional rights have to be balanced with our underlying right to life and liberty.  High capacity magazines make it easy for shooters to inflict maximum damage by allowing more shots to be fired without pausing to reload.  These accessories are favored by mass shooters.  All six of the deadliest shootings have involved large capacity magazines.  This bill sets out a reasonable framework for protecting our safety while recognizing and respecting our constitutional rights.

 

This legislation is not meant to be punitive but responsive to a real public safety threat continuing to trend in a dangerous direction - mass shootings.  That's why there is a grandfather clause and a range of thoughtful exceptions.  This bill will look at prospective sales.  Law abiding people can possess large capacity in authorized places.

 

CON:  The actions of this bill could be moot.  The court has already ruled in a California case that a law limiting the capacity of a magazine is unconstitutional.  The California law is materially similar to this bill.  You could be voting for an unconstitutional law. 

 

There are seven million new gun owners since last year in these times of urban unrest.  Many are women who are victims of crime and they have a right to defend themselves.  This bill disproportionately punishes women, the disabled, the elderly.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Gayle Davis, citizen; Pat Griffith, League of Women Voters of Washington; Kevin Lewis, citizen; Kristen Ellingboe, citizen; Nelago Nuunyango, citizen; Stacy Andersen, citizen; Jim and Ann Marie Parsons, citizen; Yasmin Trudeau, Attorney General's Office; Fred Rivara, doctor; Cherie Rowe Proctor, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence; Ami Strahan, citizen; Mike Van Dyke, doctor; April Schentrup, citizen; Ben Carr, citizen; Gwen Loosmore, citizen; Paul Kramer, citizen; Matt Vadnal, citizen; Emily Cantrell, citizen; Colin English, citizen; Jay Ward, citizen; Zach Elmore, citizen; Jane Weiss, citizen; Leanne Kennedy, citizen; Kim Gatbunton, citizen.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: PRO: Cheryl Berenson, Alliance for Gun Responsibility; Stephen Paolini, citizen; Jeannie Shu, citizen; David O'Connor, citizen; Jennifer Dolan-Waldman, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence; Nicole Schiewetz, Xenia; Lisa Losh, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence; Carol Fish, citizen; Nicolas Duchastel de Montrouge, citizen; Sophia Moser, citizen; Abe Rios, citizen; Alexander Gray, citizen; Julia Hurd, citizen; Samantha Eden, citizen; Hazel Brown, citizen; Laura Hurtado-Webb, citizen; Kevin Collins, citizen; Eileen Alexander, citizen; Patrick Inniss, citizen; Maureen McGregor, citizen; Janette Ambauen, citizen; Chelsey Wright, citizen; Asukaa Jaxx, citizen; Dylan O'Connor, citizen; Jordan Jeffers, citizen; Jordan Waits, citizen; Renee Hopkins, citizen; Willa Jeffers, citizen; Sara Reyerson, citizen; Tiara Jewell, citizen; Arkley Arkley, citizen; Eva Johnson, citizen; Laurie Valliancourt, citizen; Kathy Jones, citizen; Bruce Becker, citizen; Laurie Brockmann, citizen; Sara Julin, citizen; Delight Roberts, citizen; John Kennedy, citizen; Ian Baldiwn, citizen; Sundae Delgado, citizen; Kennedy Leanne, citizen; Lenea Fritz, citizen; Paula Barnes, citizen; Laurie Werner, citizen; John Kingslight, citizen; Virginia Bearson, citizen; Jeff Panagos, citizen; Nyla Fritz, citizen; Sandra Bensky, citizen; Max Booher, citizen; Stacey Sanner, citizen; Megan Koznek, citizen; Judy Bentley, citizen; Daniel Kraus, citizen; Paul Benz, citizen; Sandy Krauss, citizen; Joe Kunzler, citizen; Dominick Bergeron, citizen; Anita Latch, citizen; Carolyn Benhard, citizen; John Lederer, citizen; Bharti Bharani, citizen; Deborah Leslie, citizen; Nancy Boespflug, citizen; Glenn Lestz, citizen; Antoinette Bonsignore, citizen; Lynne Levine, citizen; Zachary Locken, citizen; Katherine Boyette, citizen; Shannon Mayo, citizen; Kevin Branon, citizen; Susan McBain, citizen; Jason Breeze, citizen; Stacey Stanner, citizen; Sabryna McNally, citizen; Cinnamon Brown, citizen; Heidi Rutledge, citizen; Ellen Menshew, citizen; Claire Cunningham, citizen; Dawn Petricciani, citizen; Kristen Michelle Donovan, citizen; Zach Silk, citizen; Jeannie Mitchell, citizen; Ray Moser, citizen; Mathew Bellew, citizen; Tim Burns, citizen; Tim Moses, citizen; Elizabeth Heath, citizen; Coralie Burr, citizen; Andrew Kaplowitz, citizen; Roberta Nestaas, citizen; Beth Call, citizen; Justin Camarat, citizen; Rachel Van Gelder, citizen; Timothy Noonan, citizen; Tamara Ritchie, citizen; Zachary Carstensen, citizen; Edward Humble, citizen; Roger Nystrom, citizen; David O'Connor, citizen; Andrew Caughie, citizen; Richard Osborn, citizen; June Campell, citizen; Patricia Otley, citizen; Jenny Clauson, citizen; Linda Clifton, citizen; Michael Paolini, citizen; Judith Cohen, citizen; Patrick Parisot, citizen; Susan Paro, citizen; Ann Cook, citizen; Leeroy Perkins, citizen; Yanah Cook, citizen; Patricia Perron, citizen; Malcolm Cumming, citizen; Annie Phillips, citizen; Brian Cutler, citizen; Pop Octavian, citizen; Sophia Damelio, citizen; Mike Ramey, citizen; David Dittemore, citizen; David Ringlee, citizen; Katherine Roscher, citizen; Jesse Thompson, citizen; Nancy Salovich, citizen; Alyssa Dayley, citizen; Sean Dittrich, citizen; Susan Schulkin, citizen; Erin Senge, citizen; Charles Domingue, citizen; Jean Marie Dreyer, citizen; Goldie Silverman, citizen; Tina Simcich, citizen; Nicolas Duchastel, citizen; Susan Simon, citizen; Melissa Dunbar, citizen; Luisa Recalcati, citizen; Nancy Hevly, citizen; Tamara Sloan Ritchie, citizen; Treyvon Dunbar, citizen; Kyra Humphrey, citizen; Erin Sloane, citizen; Jennifer Estroff, citizen; Thaddeus Smith, citizen; Mary WillAllen, citizen; Jeff Snow, citizen; Jon Younger, citizen; Susan Wilson, citizen; Marilyn Ellis, citizen; Raven Wilson, citizen; Gregory Sorlie, citizen; Aileen Willmoth, citizen; Ashley Sternberg, citizen; Joanne Engquist, citizen; Roger Williams, citizen; Donna Stringer, citizen; Connie Williams, citizen; Tamara Erickson, citizen; Justine Stromberg, citizen; Frederic Webster, citizen; Erika Fairman, citizen; Shawn Stromme, citizen; Christine Warren, citizen; Gail Warren, citizen; John Fairman, citizen; Diane Studley, citizen; Winston Walker, citizen; Xander Waits, citizen; Summers Cherry, citizen; Niles Fairman, citizen; Eva Wahl, citizen; Elizabeth Sward, citizen; David Fish, citizen; Deborah Viertel, citizen; Mardel Tanquist, citizen; David Varnau, citizen; David Turnoy, citizen; Wesley Francis, citizen; Roger Tanquist, citizen; Michell Turley, citizen; Ian Taylor, citizen; Adrianna Hulscher, citizen; Richard Gellman, citizen; Debbie Hollyer, citizen; Margaret Graham, citizen; Janet Hoffman, citizen; Stephanie Gianarelli, citizen; Ana Hobson, citizen; Greg Hauth, citizen; Elizabeth Hauser, citizen; Kennedy Gwin, citizen; Richard Gibson, citizen; Amy Harmala, citizen; Maurice Hanks, citizen; Nancy Gilbert, citizen; Alice Goss, citizen; Meredith Goldstein, citizen; Matt Vadnal, citizen.