Over the last few years, Washington state has led the nation in passing evidence-based gun violence prevention policies both at the ballot and through the legislature. Last session, the legislature passed ten gun responsibility priority bills—more than all past sessions combined. 

But gun violence remains a public health crisis in Washington state. This year, the Washington State Legislature has the opportunity to enact more innovative policies that will close deadly loopholes, keep guns out of dangerous hands, and ensure our existing laws are effectively implemented. The Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s 2020 agenda provides a bold roadmap for legislators to continue leading the way on gun violence prevention. Highlights include: 

Restricting Access to High-Capacity Magazines: Large capacity magazines, which can hold more than ten rounds of ammunition, make it easier for a shooter to fire more rounds without pausing to reload, making it easier to shoot more people faster. Recent reviews of mass shootings showed that 50 percent involved high-capacity magazines and, in shootings where these magazines are used, more people are shot and more are killed. Restricting access to high-capacity magazines will reduce the scope of mass shootings in our state and save lives.

Requiring Background Checks on Ammunition Sales: Washington’s background check system helps ensure firearms do not make it into dangerous hands. However, we do not currently address access to ammunition that makes semi-automatic weapons extraordinarily deadly. Requiring background checks on ammunition sales will make it harder for individuals intent on causing harm to do so.

Addressing The Intersection Of Alcohol And Firearm Violence: Emerging research shows a clear link between even a single driving under the influence (DUI) conviction and future violent acts. Today, Washington law prohibits firearms possession after a felony DUI. Adjusting the law to temporarily restrict access to firearms after a second DUI conviction, while incentivizing treatment pathways will help keep guns out of crisis situations.

Funding Community-Based Programs: Research on programs in cities like New York, Oakland, and Milwaukee continues to show the promise of holistic, community-based programs in preventing gun violence. Supporting programs like these in Washington will help interrupt and prevent gun violence.

Facts about gun violence in Washington state: 

• A person is killed with a gun every 12 hours on average in Washington state. 
• Suicide accounts for 75 percent of all gun deaths in the state. 
• Gun violence costs Washington state $3.8 billion a year—$544 per resident. 
• The burden of gun violence falls disproportionately on communities of color in Washington: African Americans make up just 4 percent of the state’s population but approximately 20 percent of gun homicide victims. 
• Firearms are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 in Washington.

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s first Lobby Day will be held Monday, January 20th. More details will be announced soon!

 

---

— Kristen Ellingboe is the Communications Manager for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.