As a national ban approaches, Washington State Patrol has begun buying back bump stocks at locations throughout the state, including Vancouver.
The WSP office in Vancouver, 11018 N.E. 51st Circle, hosted buyback events Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As of 1 p.m. Monday, the office had collected 24 bump stocks, Trooper Will Finn said.
A national ban on the equipment takes effect March 26. After that date, those found in possession of bump stocks could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine under federal law, Finn said.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation Thursday to create $150,000 in funding for the program, enough to buy back 1,000 bump stocks. Participants are allowed to bring in up to five bump stocks, and at least one person in Vancouver brought in four, Finn said.
The buyback program allows state residents to turn in bump stocks, operable or inoperable, and receive a $150 voucher per device. Residents can also turn in the devices to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms or other law enforcement agencies and obtain a written receipt for a voucher. The receipt must then be taken to a WSP office during a buyback event.
Once vouchers are processed, a check will be mailed. Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and will not be handed out after funding for the program is exhausted.
A bump stock allows a semi-automatic gun to fire more rapidly than the standard stock and grip, simulating an automatic weapon.
“We know that this is a dangerous piece of equipment. It’s not an accurate one used, so you’ve got rapid fire that’s going all over the place,” Finn said. “There’s really no valid reason (to keep them) that we can see, and that’s why we’re taking them back at this point, giving everybody an opportunity to comply with the law.”
Some who turned in the equipment explained to troopers why they purchased them in the first place.
“Some of them are veterans. They had them while they were in the military, just for unknown reasons,” Finn said.
The WSP office in Vancouver will host two additional events March 24 and March 25. If funding is available from the state, WSP could host additional events, Finn said.
“Hopefully folks are taking advantage of this program and, again, they’ll have an opportunity at the end of the month to take advantage of it again,” Finn said. “Where we see that data can support success, I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t do that again.”
More information on the buyback can be found at: www.wsp.wa.gov/buyback.
