WA House votes to ban ‘high-capacity’ magazines, bill now heads to the governor

After more than three hours of debate, Washington House Representatives passed a ban on “high-capacity” magazines in the state late Friday night.

House members voted to pass the measure 55-42. Friday was the cutoff deadline for policy bills to be passed from the opposite house before they can no longer be considered this session.

The bill will now head for Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk. Senate Bill 5078 prohibits the manufacture, importation, distribution, selling, and offering for sale of “ammunition feeding devices” with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The bill will go into effect July 1, if signed by Inslee.

Violations of the new law would result in a gross misdemeanor, which carries a maximum punishment of 364 days in jail and/or a fine up to $5,000.