Another gun store fined for violating Washington's high-capacity magazine ban

A Lakewood gun shop will pay a $15,000 fine for violating Washington's ban on selling high-capacity magazines.

State Attorney General Bob Ferguson says that WGS Guns intentionally broke the law for a couple of months after the ban went into effect last summer. The store eventually complied with the ban, however.

RELATED: 3 gun safety measures lawmakers are pursuing for the 2023 legislative session

WGS is the second gun store the attorney general has fined for violating the state's ban on high-capacity magazines. In early December, the AG's office announced fines for Federal Way Discount Guns and Indoor Range, which not only allegedly sold the magazines, but also made efforts to hide the sales.

As of July 2022, it is illegal under Washington state law to manufacture, distribute, sell, or offer for sale magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Any violation of the high-capacity magazine ban also constitutes a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

The recent crackdown is the result of a "sweep of gun dealers" by AG investigators. Investigators visited a total of 25 gun stores across King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, and Spokane counties. The sweep found two stores violating the statewide ban: WGD Guns and Federal Way Discount Guns.

The AG's office reports that it sent investigators to WGS Guns two months after the ban went into effect. They were sold a 13-round magazine for a Glock 23 pistol, as well as a 15-round magazine for a Glock 22. At the time, the clerk reportedly admitted they would be ringing the magazines up as other items so they would not appear on the receipt and there would be no record.

Investigators visited the store at a later date, but employees declined to sell the banned magazines. High-capacity magazines were not on display for sale during any investigator's visit to the gun store.

“Our sweep confirmed that the overwhelming majority of gun retailers in Washington are doing the right thing and complying with the law,” Ferguson said. “We will continue to proactively enforce this law, and take action against anyone who illegally sells high-capacity magazines.”