This bill amends RCW 9.41.390 to prohibit manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale any "assault weapon" in Washington, subject to several specific exemptions, and makes violation of the section a gross misdemeanor. In other words, it modifies an existing statute to add a statewide prohibition on commercial handling of assault weapons and attaches a criminal penalty classification for violations. The amendment enumerates exemptions (subsections (2)(a)–(2)(f)). Notable exemptions preserved or added in the text include: limited sales or transfers of existing dealer stock acquired before January 1, 2023, which may be sold or transferred out of state within 90 days after April 25, 2023; an exemption allowing a person who holds a valid concealed pistol license under RCW 9.41.070 at the time of the transaction to import an "assault rifle"; and an exemption for persons who acquire possession of an assault weapon by operation of law upon the death of a former owner on or after April 25, 2023, with strict limits on subsequent in-state transfers (only to a licensed dealer, a federally licensed gunsmith for service or repair, or a law enforcement agency for permanent relinquishment). The statute also includes exemptions for law enforcement and federally licensed gunsmiths as described in the text. The amendment defines "law enforcement agency" to include general authority and limited authority Washington law enforcement agencies as defined in RCW 10.93.020 and equivalent federal, state, or local agencies, and it identifies affected parties such as licensed firearms manufacturers, federally and state-licensed firearms dealers, law enforcement agencies, concealed pistol license holders, nonresidents, inheritors who gain firearms by operation of law, and federally licensed gunsmiths. Important context is missing from the provided text: the bill text here does not define the terms "assault weapon" or "assault rifle" (the latter term appears in subsection (2)(e)), does not explain procedures for proving provenance when an assault weapon is acquired by operation of law, and does not include the referenced definitions from RCW 9.41.070 or RCW 10.93.020 that are incorporated by reference. It is also unclear whether other statutory provisions outside this excerpt further modify or clarify these changes.

If enacted, the law would sharply restrict the ability of Washington manufacturers, importers and dealers to make, bring into the state, or sell weapons defined as “assault weapons,” leaving only narrowly listed exceptions. Practically that means licensed manufacturers and federally or state-licensed dealers will lose a market for those guns and must dispose of any qualifying inventory bought before January 1, 2023 within a limited window: dealers may only transfer out-of-state existing stock for 90 days after April 25, 2023. Dealers and manufacturers face added costs and legal risk (violations are a gross misdemeanor) for noncompliance, while federally licensed gunsmiths and law enforcement agencies retain service and possession options and certain individuals with a valid concealed pistol license at the time of a transaction can import an “assault rifle.” Most affected are licensed firearms manufacturers and dealers, inheritors who receive an assault weapon by operation of law after April 25, 2023, and holders of concealed pistol licenses who might import under the narrow exemption. Inheritors may keep such a weapon but can only transfer it in-state to a licensed dealer, a federally licensed gunsmith for service, or a law enforcement agency, limiting estate and sale options. Important details are unclear from the excerpt: the bill’s practical reach depends on how “assault weapon” versus “assault rifle” are defined, how residency and provenance are proven, and how related RCW provisions are applied.