Last month, a judge reaffirmed Washington’s 2023 “Assault Weapons” Ban, which prohibits the sale, manufacture, distribution or import of certain semi-automatic firearms — though not their private ownership.
The lawsuit was filed by individual gun sellers and other plaintiffs who argued the ban violates the Washington State Constitution’s right-to-bear-arms provision.
The state’s Attorney General countered that policymakers may regulate weapons particularly prone to mass shootings, asserting such firearms pose unique dangers and aren’t suitable for self-defense.
Ultimately, Christine Schaller of the Thurston County Superior Court ruled in favor of the state.
But the plaintiffs behind the legal challenge insist the right to bear arms should remain meaningful under the state Constitution — and says they will appeal.
Meanwhile, other federal courts in Washington have denied similar preliminary challenges to the law, though those cases are on hold pending an appeals court ruling in a comparable case from California.
Across the country, courts remain sharply divided. Some appeals courts have upheld “Assault Weapon” Bans, while others — and conservative justices on the United States Supreme Court — have shown interest in revisiting the issue.
With additional restrictions, such as a new “permit-to-purchase” law scheduled to take effect in 2027, state officials expect further legal challenges ahead.
Read more at Washington State Standard.
