Judge Rules Against WA Ban on High Capacity Magazines So Now What?

A Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge has ruled the state's ban on high-capacity magazines is unconstitutional.

THE STATE HAS BEEN GRANTED AN EMERGENCY APPEAL

However the state has been granted an emergency appeal which leaves the law in place while the state awaits a decision in an appeal of the judges decision. Judge Gary Bashor has ruled the ban on magazines that hold 10 or more rounds of ammunition violates the U.S. constitution and the Washington State constitution.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTED FAST AFTER THE RULING

The ban has been in place since 2022. Washingotn State Attorney General Bob Ferguson acted fast and filed an emergency appeal with the Washington State Supreme Court after the ruling on Monday. The Court granted the appeal meaning the ban will stay in place until a ruling is made.

THE RULING BY THE JUDGE IS CONNECTED TO A STORE IN KELSO WA

The ruling is connected to a lawsuit against a small gun store in Kelso called Gator's Guns. Ferguson filed a lawsuit against the store for selling high-capacity magazines despite having a law against the sale of the magazines.

BACKERS OF THE LAW SAY IT COULD HELP IN MASS SHOOTINGS

Lawmakers banned the use of high capacity magazines in 2022. Those behind the law are hopeful the ban will reduce killings in mass shootings allowing officers to stop a shooter because it takes time to reload a gun, something that would be needed in a shooting involving numerous gunshots.