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WSP launches buyback event for bump stocks

Starting Sunday, owners of bump stocks can turn them in to the Washington State Patrol for a $150 each.

WSP launched a buyback event before the devices become illegal at the end of the month.

Bump stocks can make a semi-automatic firearm fire as fast as an automatic.

“I've used it quite a bit just out in the woods and stuff just shooting cans and stuff. That’s about it,” said Chris Nieves of Covington.

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Nieves has owned his bump stock since 2017. He surrendered it to WSP’s Bellevue office so he could be compliant before a federal ban takes effect on March 26.

“I’d rather do the right thing rather than being an unlawful gun owner,” Nieves explained.

The bans on bump stocks came in the wake of the 2017 Las Vegas massacre. The shooter used an arsenal, that included 14 rifles modified with bump stocks to fire into a crowd killing 58 and wounding hundreds of others.

“I was kind of disappointed that one person made it bad for all of us law-abiding gun owners,” Nieves added.

In 2018, Washington banned the devices, but the ban wasn't supposed to go into effect until this summer to give WSP time to develop a buy-back program. But because the federal ban starts at the end of the month, the Legislature allocated $150,000 to pay for the program before the federal deadline. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill Friday, making the money available immediately.

Each person can return up to five bump stocks. Each one gets you a voucher for $150 on a first come, first serve basis. Once the $150,000 is spent, no more money will be available.

WSP held its first buyback event at 8 of its district offices Sunday, including in Bellevue.

“We had people show up about an hour early today. It was set to start at 10. And we started at about 9:30 to get people out and underway,” said Sgt. Julie Fisher.

Fisher wasn't sure how many people would turn out. She said it's unknown how many people in Washington own bump stocks. By 10:30 a.m., 15 people had surrendered at least one.

“I think people are being very conscious of the fact they know there are a limited number of vouchers to be given and they want to make sure they don't miss out on the opportunity,” Fisher added.

Some of the devices were brand-new.

Jeromy Fuqua of Lynnwood returned two of them. He said he never had a use for them, even though he's owned them for almost three years. For him, it was important to be compliant. But he worries this will lead to more of a crackdown on gun rights.

“Do we need these bump stocks? That’s for the individual person to determine for themselves. It’s not the government’s duty to take away rights from the individuals,” Fuqua said.

WSP will be holding another buyback Monday, March 18 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m at these district offices:

  • District 1 – Tacoma – 2502 112th Street East
  • District 2 – Bellevue – 2803 156th Avenue SE
  • District 3 – Kennewick – 143302 E Law Lane
  • District 4 – Spokane – 6403 W Rowand Rd
  • District 5 – Vancouver – 11018 NE 51st Circle
  • District 6 – Wenatchee – 2822 Euclid Avenue
  • District 7 – Marysville – 2700 116th Street NE
  • District 8 – Hoquiam - 3111 Pacific Avenue

March 24-25, 2019 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • District 1 – Tacoma – 2502 112th Street East
  • District 2 – South Seattle – 15666 International Blvd (detachment office)
  • District 3 – Yakima – 2715 Rudkin Road
  • District 4 – Spokane – 6403 W Rowand Rd
  • District 5 – Vancouver – 11018 NE 51st Circle
  • District 6 – Ellensburg - 291 S Thorp Hwy
  • District 7 – Marysville – 2700 116th Street NE
  • District 8 – Bremerton – 4811 Werner Road