Alongside Moms Demand Action and Student Demand Action Volunteers Washington Leaders Present Common-Sense Gun Safety Bills for 2023 Legislative Session

TUKWILA, WA —Washington Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson presented sweeping gun safety measures for the next legislative session. Alongside Donitta Sinclair and Kate Stockert of Moms Demand Action and Flynn Williamsand Sofie Blazejova from Students Demand Action, Washington leaders announced bills to ban assault weapons, establish a permit to purchase system and clarify pathways for civil liability against gun industry members — all to make Washington a national leader in the fight against gun violence. 

“The bills being introduced this week have a clear goal — to save lives,” said Flynn Williams from Washington Students Demand Action. “I applaud Governor Inslee and Attorney General Ferguson for taking this crucial step. As advocates, it is now up to our common-sense gun safety legislative majority to get to work to   pass these bills into law. We cannot wait for the next tragedy before acting. I am proud to stand alongside our leaders in the fight to eradicate gun violence in Washington.” 

As part of the legislative package, one of the proposals includes the Firearm Industry Responsibility & Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice Act, which seeks to ensure that firearms manufacturers and sellers face liability if they fail to establish, implement and enforce reasonable controls in the manufacture, sale, distribution and marketing of firearms. If passed, the bill will ensure access to justice for survivors when the gun industry fails to keep guns out of the wrong hands. 

In Washington state, the rate of gun suicide increased 11 percent and gun homicide increased 87 percent from 2011 to 2020, compared to a 12 percent increase and 70 percent increase nationwide, respectively. While, the rate of gun deaths has increased 24 percent from 2011 to 2020 in Washington state, compared to a 33 percent increase nationwide.. Additional information on gun violence in Washington state is available here.