OLYMPIA, Wash –State legislators heard arguments Tuesday for and against a ban on assault weapons.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would ban military-style assault weapons that can fire rapidly and carry a lot of ammunition. It's sponsored by Sen. Adam Kline of Seattle and faces stiff opposition in an election year.
Supporters, including Washington Ceasefire and other gun control groups, cite the recent deaths of police officers, as well as 18-year-old Aaaron Sullivan in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood last summer, as evidence that something needs to be done.
"It is an insult to victims like Aaron Sullivan and (Seattle Police Officer) Timothy Brenton to split hair over semantics over what is and what isn't a semi-automatic assault weapon," Ralph Fascitelli of Washington Ceasefire told the committee. "If it holds more than 10 bullets, in my mind, it is. If it automatically loads and discharges bullets, it is. And if its original design, intent was to kill many humans and not animals, it is."
Opponents, including the National Rifle Association, say gun crimes aren't about the weapons that were used, but the people using them.
"This bill will so confuse and not control. Other states and federal law have resulted in three outcomes: ramapant confusion, unjust prosecution and increased sales. Everybody loses with this bill," said NRA lobbyist Brian Judy.
Similar bans haven't fared well in the past and, in an election year, supporters face a battle to even get the bill out of committee.
Gov. Chris Gregoire says she hasn't reviewed the proposed ban. Instead, she says she is focusing on a group of bills in response to the recent police shootings, including better communication between law enforcement on jail bookings and releases.
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