Today, the Washington Supreme Court heard oral arguments against the City of Edmunds’ attempt to simultaneously curtail firearm rights within the home, while expanding firearm liability outside the home. In 2021, a lower court agreed with NRA-ILA’s argument that Washington state law prohibited the City of Edmunds’ efforts to (1) impose compulsory lock requirements; and (2) transfer the guilt of gun thieves to the gun owners they victimize.
As the Justices emphasized in today’s questioning, Washington’s preemption statute reads in part: “The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state.” Undeterred by the obvious, the City of Edmunds complained that its gun control scheme—not the gun owners’ rights—should be protected and restored. The oral arguments, which took place virtually, can be watched here.
Washington’s Supreme Court will render an important, state-wide decision affecting all law-abiding Washingtonians, not just the City of Edmunds. NRA-ILA is already challenging similar gun-control efforts in Seattle. Left unchecked, additional municipalities can be expected to test infringements upon your Second Amendment freedoms. NRA-ILA remains dedicated to protecting gun rights in Washington, and will continue to update members about these important cases.
The case argued today is captioned Bass v. City of Edmonds; NRA-ILA appreciates the Second Amendment Foundation’s participation in this lawsuit.
Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org for future updates on NRA-ILA’s ongoing efforts to defend your constitutional rights.