A landmark ruling in Washington state has declared the high-capacity magazine ban unconstitutional, marking a major legal victory for gun rights advocates and sparking intense debate over firearm regulations. On April 8, 2024, Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Gary Bashor struck down the 2022 law that prohibited the sale, manufacture, and distribution of magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
This decision comes as Washington joins several U.S. states grappling with the constitutional limits of gun control laws in the wake of the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. That decision redefined how courts evaluate Second Amendment protections and has since fueled numerous legal challenges to firearm restrictions across the country.
The Washington high-capacity magazine ban was originally passed by Democratic lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee in 2022. It aimed to reduce the lethality of mass shootings by limiting access to magazines that allow a shooter to fire repeatedly without reloading. Supporters of the law argue it helps prevent mass casualty events by slowing down potential attackers. However, Judge Bashor ruled the law infringes upon constitutional rights by banning firearm accessories that are widely owned and used for lawful purposes.
The ruling came after a legal challenge filed on behalf of Gator’s Custom Guns, a Kelso-based firearms retailer sued by the Washington Attorney General’s Office for continuing to sell high-capacity magazines after the ban took effect. Judge Bashor’s opinion stated that the state failed to demonstrate a historical precedent for such restrictions and that the ban violates both the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions.
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson condemned the ruling and filed an emergency motion with the Washington Supreme Court to block its implementation. The court granted the stay, meaning the ban remains enforceable as the legal battle moves forward on appeal.
This case is now seen as a pivotal moment in the broader legal struggle over gun control laws in the United States. Legal experts say the final outcome may influence similar laws in other states, shaping the national standard for what kinds of firearm regulations are constitutionally permissible under the Second Amendment.
As the legal appeal proceeds, Washington’s high-capacity magazine ban continues to stir public debate, highlighting the deep divide between efforts to improve gun safety and protect constitutional gun rights.
