House bill would ban 'assault' weapons

OLYMPIA — The manufacture, distribution and sale of any so-called “assault weapon” would become illegal if a bill passed by the state House of Representatives clears the Senate and is signed into law.

Substitute House Bill 1240 defines “assault weapons” by brands and models, and generally as semiautomatic weapons with specific features.

The bill would ban semiautomatic rifles with a length of less than 30 inches; semiautomatic centerfire rifles that accept a detachable magazine and or a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds; semiautomatic pistols that have the capacity...