VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Following Advocacy from Washington Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, Governor Jay Inslee Signs Gun Safety Bills Into Law 

OLYMPIA, WA. — The Washington chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement applauding Governor Jay Inslee for signing gun safety bills into law, including a measure requiring gun dealers to secure their inventory against theft, have general liability insurance, and maintain sales records to aid investigations of gun crimes. 

“These bills will make Washington families safer,” said Kate Stockert, a volunteer with the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Across his three terms, Governor Jay Inslee has honored his word of protecting Washingtonians from gun violence. Under his leadership, our state has become a national leader in gun safety, and by signing these bills into law today he cements his legacy as one of the strongest governors against gun violence. We thank him for his continued commitment to the safety of Washington families and look forward to working for the comprehensive implementation of these measures.” 

What to know of the measures signed into law: 

• HB 2118: Legislation creating a robust code of conduct for licensed gun dealers in Washington State, to ensure they take steps to keep guns off the illegal market and out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. The bill requires gun dealers to secure their inventory against theft, have general liability insurance, and maintain sales records to aid investigations of gun crimes.
• HB 1903: Legislation to require the reporting of lost and stolen firearms, which are often diverted to people prohibited from having guns and end up being used in violent crimes. 
• HB 2021: Legislation to ensure that firearms obtained through buyback programs are fully destroyed so parts cannot be resold and removing limitations that limited Washington State Patrol’s ability to destroy guns. 
• SB 5444: Legislation that prohibits the open carry of firearms in libraries, zoos, aquariums and public transit facilities.

Washington is among the top 10 states in terms of gun law strength. In an average year, 853 people die by guns in Washington. With a rate of 10.8 deaths per 100,000 people, Washington has the 40th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. More information about gun violence in Washington is available here.