On April 25, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington signed a series of bills aimed at curbing gun violence. The laws include a ban on certain semiautomatic rifles, a mandatory waiting period of ten days for firearm purchases, and permission for lawsuits against gunmakers or sellers in some cases. While the governor and his supporters have lauded these laws as a step toward combating gun violence, the truth is that they are a fruitless endeavor.
Washington’s new laws are bound to result in lawsuits and will inevitably be struck down by the courts. Already, organizations such as the Firearms Policy Coalition have begun litigation, and they are likely to win.