Washington State Gun-Control Law Bans High-Capaciy Ammunition Magazines Starting July 1

The sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds will be banned in Washington starting July 1, the Everett Herald reported.

The news outlet added that importing, manufacturing, and distributing them will also be banned.

Back in March, far-left Democrat Governor Inslee signed Senate Bill 5078, which “prohibits the manufacture, possession, distribution, importation, selling, offering for sale, purchase, or transfer of large-capacity magazines with the capability of holding more than 17 rounds of ammunition, unless the possession falls within one of the stated exceptions including prior possession.”

“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 new law stated.

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.

The law will take effect on July 1. A violation is a gross misdemeanor offense, meaning violators will be penalized by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term of up to 364 days, or by a fine of not more than $5,000.

“Washington residents can continue buying larger magazines until the law takes effect. Any owned as of July 1 are unaffected by the law,” AP reported, “the Second Amendment Foundation and other gun rights organizations filed a federal lawsuit this month claiming the new law violates constitutional protections under the Second and Fourteenth amendments. They’ve sought to block the law with an injunction but no hearing had been set as of Friday.”