— Washington
Washington Initiative 1639 is going into effect across the State on July 1, 2019.
The new initiative passed by 14 of the 39 counties in both Eastern and Western Washington. The initiative allows a person between the ages of 18 and 21 to possess a semiautomatic assault rifle if it was purchased or traded or passed down but makes it illegal for a person under the age of 21 to buy a semiautomatic assault rifle.
The new initiative also requires training on safety for people wanting to purchase or acquire a semiautomatic rifle. It also requires an enhanced background check and a waiting period requirement for the purchase or transfer of any semiautomatic rifles in the State of Washington.
As of July 1, 2019, 29 Sheriffs across the State has said they will have their deputies not enforce the initiative calling it “Unconstitutional” with the majority of the counties posing them being in Eastern Washington with 15 counties saying no.
More than 100 counties across the United States call themselves 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Counties with two states being on the West Coast (Washington and Oregon)
Attorney General Bob Ferguson sent a letter to every county in Washington State in February stating that if the county doesn’t enforce the law, the sheriff could become financially liable if they fail to uphold the law. Attorney General Bob Ferguson also stated in an interview with Vice News, “You will see in the State enhanced background checks for all semi-automatic effective July 1. Period full stop. If that means the State has to come in and enforce the background checks, that’s what you will see”.
We have sent an email to local sheriff Tom Jones on what he thinks about the initiative is in full effect and what he would do if Grant County is held liable, but we have not heard back.
Washington's new gun laws are now one of the most strictest and toughest gun laws in the nation right under California.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.
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