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The Washington state House passed a ban on bump stocks Friday, Feb. 22. Bump stocks are a gun modification that allows certain weapons to fire more rapidly, and gained wide recognition about the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Lawmakers debated the ban in the shadow of last week’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Democratic Representative Laurie Jinkins said people are asking that lawmakers take action.
“No single thing we do will end it but there are many many steps we can take that will advance our ability to curb gun violence,” Jinkins said.
But Republican Representative Jay Rodne said banning bump stocks won’t work.
“We are going to trample on the rights of law abiding citizens, criminalize lawful conduct for a bill that will do nothing to address gun violence in our culture,” Rodne said.
The amended bump stock ban will head back to the Senate before going to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk. Meanwhile a Democratic state Senator is reintroducing a new version of a bill that would require that people be 21 to purchase a military-style rifle. Right now, you only have to be 18. It would also require stronger background checks.
The new bill introduced will also create a way for students to anonymously report potential threats and provide school districts with grants to improve their emergency response systems.
Copyright 2018 Northwest News Network
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