OLYMPIA — The Washington state Senate has passed a ban on trigger modification devices that are designed to accelerate a firearm’s rate of fire.
The measure to prohibit the devices, known as bump stocks, passed the chamber Thursday night on a 29-20 vote, with four Republicans voting with majority Democrats. The measure now heads to the House for consideration.
Northwest News Network reports that the ban would make it illegal for anyone in Washington to manufacture or sell bump stocks beginning July 1. In July 2019, it would become illegal to own or possess a bump stock in Washington.
“It aligns current practices with our state laws and our state laws have never allowed for fully automatic weapons,” said Democratic Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, who described himself as a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. “Therefore, I believe our state should not allow bump stocks.”
Democrats accepted an amendment from Republican Sen. Hans Zeiger — who voted for the final bill — that narrowed the definition of a trigger modification device.
The move to ban the devices came in response to last October’s mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and left hundreds more injured.
Republican Doug Ericksen argued that the ban on bump stocks would not stop a “crazy, psycho” person from committing a mass shooting. He also warned that the ban could lead to police entering the homes of otherwise law-abiding citizens to seize the devices.
“What you are doing is you are creating the ability for law enforcement to come into your home,” said Ericksen. “And you will not prevent any kind of activity like what happened in Las Vegas.”
Last week, Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a ban on bump stocks into law, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is currently reviewing bump stocks to determine whether they should be included under a 1986 ban on machine guns.
