"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
-George Washington.
Washington State Bill 5078 banning "high-capacity" magazines will go into effect July 2022. This magazine ban is nothing more than an extremely bad excuse. Will the ban save human lives? No, there is not any statistically sound data in this regard. Does this ban fight crime? No, frankly because it is utterly unenforceable. Does this ban promote public or firearm safety? No, there are millions of standard capacity magazines in use nationwide with 11 or more rounds of ammunition that pose no threat, hazard, or even probability to harm. The magazines are INANIMATE OBJECTS, not magical mysterious monsters. SB 5078, Addressing firearm safety measures to increase public safety, states "this prohibits the sale, attempted sale and distribution of high-capacity magazines. It does not prohibit the possession of high-capacity magazines."
SB 5078 passed driven by virtue signaling and the possibility of legal precedents. We've witnessed this tactic before, "We passed this laissez-faire legislation that hasn't been working, so we must raise the bar and amend the law!" Referring to the ability to as of yet possess the "hi-cap magazines" and the probability for a complete prohibition in the future. Logistically there is absolutely no possibility that law enforcement could begin to regulate the ban, as it now stands. The reality is that Washington's politicians can now herald their accomplishment at gun control while they await their true goals to come to fruition. Unambitious as it looks SB 5078 is more nefarious at its core.
Firearm manufacturers do have "Regulation States" offerings, where a new firearm is offered for sale with neutered magazines. However, this is not the case for the majority of available firearms. For example, the humble and non-tactical tubular magazine .22 caliber rifle will be illegal to buy, sell, or trade in Washington because the magazines hold more than 10 rounds commonly. There are many other examples of common firearms that simply become illegal to sell. Does that stop crime or save lives? Of course not. It will impose a burden on firearm dealers though. Their inventories of common magazines become a problem for sellers. What to do about existing inventories of firearms with hi-cap magazines? Are dealers expected to attempt sales without any means of loading the product? When have you ever bought a milkshake without the milk? How about the car dealer trying to sell you a brand-new Caddy without wheels? It ain’t gonna happen, period. Sure, savvy business people are constantly fabricating "work arounds," why would you own a Glock with 10 round mags otherwise? However, the disingenuous SB 5078 current status really only affects interstate sales and gun dealers in Washington. “By and By” is Washington's state motto, however at a very specific date and time her firearms dealers will be encumbered.
I have already alluded to shrewd and clever business procedures, why not open firearm magazine outlets in every border town outside Washington? The state's residents can legally transport hi-cap magazines they own without burden of proof. What is to stop residents from simply purchasing common magazines out of state? Is Washington going to install border patrol booths that search every vehicle without fail? Furthermore, are the existing law enforcement officers going to search residents that legally possess hi-cap, and if so, who bears the burden of proof? This new law is nothing more than a virtue siren with the precedent of probability for more asinine legislation and firearm control.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything that you have."
-Thomas Jefferson.
By and Buy No More