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Governor signs Sen. Dhingra’s domestic violence gun legislation

Of the broad package of gun-safety related measures that were heard during the 2018 session, very few made it out of committee. Even fewer made it off the Senate and House floor. However, on Thursday, Governor Inslee signed into law a bill that will take guns out of the hands of those found guilty of domestic violence harassment.

Senator Manka Dhingra’s SB 6298 makes it unlawful for a person to possess a firearm if they have been convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity, of harassment against a family member or other member of their household.

Sen. Dhingra recently spoke at a town hall discussion on guns where she discussed the relationship between domestic violence and gun misuse. During her panel, she stressed the importance of addressing problematic behaviors to reduce gun violence and improve safety in schools.”

“If you look at the vast number of people who engage in this behavior, they have issues of domestic violence, they have issues related to a history of violence,” said Dhingra. “Let’s make sure we are addressing behavior. Let’s make sure that people who have a history of violence do not have access to weapons.”

Dhingra’s bill received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

The Governor also signed a gun-safety bill on Wednesday that will establish a process for individuals to voluntarily waive their firearms rights if they fear they are a danger to themselves or others.

“Suicides account for nearly 80 percent of all firearm deaths,” said Inslee during the bill signing. “This bill will help reduce these tragic deaths by allowing people to proactively give up their right to a firearm if they are in crisis and struggling with thoughts of suicide.”


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