Anti-gun lawmakers in Washington State are rushing through a bill that would require the same background check for certain rifles and shotguns with “tactical features” as is now required for handguns and a public hearing is scheduled Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.
SB 6620 is sponsored by Senators Andy Billig, Reuven Carlyle, Jeannie Darneille, Manka Dhingra, David Frockt, Karen Keiser, Patty Kuderer, John McCoy and Kevin Ranker. All are Democrats.
Under this measure a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with “tactical features” means:
(a) A semiautomatic rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has one or more of the following:
(i) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(ii) A thumbhole stock;
(iii) A folding or telescoping stock;
(iv) A second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the nontrigger hand;
(v) A flash suppressor, muzzle break, muzzle compensator, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle break, or muzzle compensator;
(vi) A grenade launcher or flare launcher;
(b) A semiautomatic, centerfire, or rimfire rifle with a fixed magazine, that has the capacity to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition;
(c) A semiautomatic, centerfire, or rimfire rifle that has an overall length of less than thirty inches; (d) A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:
(i) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip;
(ii) A folding or telescoping stock; or
(iii) An ability to accept a detachable magazine;
(e) A shotgun with a revolving cylinder; or
(f) A conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from which a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with tactical features can be assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person. “Semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with tactical features” does not include antique firearms, any firearm that has been made permanently inoperable, or any firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action.
“Detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be loaded or unloaded while detached from a firearm and readily inserted into a firearm.
Also under this legislation, a person age 18-20 could possess a pistol, semi-auto rifle or shotgun with “tactical features” only in a person’s place of abode, fixed place of business or real property under his or her control. There are some exemptions that apparently include hunting, under RCW 9.41.042, but that statute applies to “Children—Permissible Use of Firearms.”
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Under this statute, children under age 18 are protected for hunting and other activities.
So, which is it now? Are 18-20 year-olds “children” or “adults?” If they are children, they shouldn’t vote. If they are old enough to vote, and join the military, should the not be able to own and/or possess a modern sporting rifle or shotgun?
