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Pushback begins for Washington's latest gun safety proposals

caption: In this Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash.
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In this Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash.
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

A Republican Washington state senator is voicing concerns about new gun safety measures being proposed this upcoming legislative session.

One of those measures would ban the sale of semi-automatic firearms.

Republican Senator Phil Fortunato says banning these types of guns will not improve safety, and argues that the proposal infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

“We go after the drunk driver. We don't go after the vehicle," Fortunato said. "We go after the driver that committed the crime. That's what we need to focus on. It's not it's not the firearm. It's the person pulling the trigger.”

"It's not that style of a firearm that they use — that's immaterial. It is the shooter. And we we need to be stopping those people and protecting our children."

Another measure that is being proposed would make gun manufacturers and dealers take steps to keep guns out of dangerous people’s hands. Fortunato said this bill is an attempt to bankrupt the gun industry.

The gun control legislation is backed by Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

There are three main proposals put to lawmakers this year: a ban on assault weapons; accountability measures for gun manufacturers and sellers; and a new permit program to purchase a gun.

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