Steps by the Legislature to reduce access to certain types of ammunition and firearms in Washington drew praise from Grandmothers Against Gun Violence (GAGV), the Seattle-based grassroots group that advocates for sensible restrictions on gun use.

During the 2022 legislative session that ended in March, lawmakers approved three new laws:

• Senate Bill 5078 bans the manufacture, distribution and sale of high-capacity magazines containing more than 10 rounds.
• House Bill 1705restricts the manufacturing, sale and possession of so-called ghost guns, which are untraceable firearms.
• House Bill 1630prohibits or restricts openly carrying firearms at local government meetings, such as school boards, and at election offices.

Hundreds of members of GAGV, a grassroots, non-profit organization, lobbied for passage of the new laws. Their top priority was SB 5078, the high-capacity magazine measure. Washington residents can keep such ammunition if they already have it. But new sales will be a gross misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Margaret Heldring, GAGV’s founder, said the new laws are a “responsible and enforceable“ way to advance “common-sense reform” of gun regulations.