Washington: NRA Files Amicus Brief in Challenge to Kitsap County Anti-Gun Ordinance

Last week, attorneys on behalf of the NRA filed an amicus brief in Kitsap County v. Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club (Kitsap II), the case which challenges Kitsap County’s firearm discharge ban and range licensing scheme.  Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club, a local shooting range that has served the Kitsap community for almost 100 years, is at risk of being shut down by the regulations set forth in the Kitsap County anti-gun ordinance.  In the amicus brief, the attorneys establish that Washington state law preempts firearms and shooting range regulations and that the Kitsap County ordinance is in violation of the state’s preemption statutes. 

Washington’s state firearms preemption statutes help keep firearm and ammunition laws consistent throughout the state by establishing that the State Legislature has full authority to regulate and create laws pertaining to firearms and ammunition.  These statutes help prevent a confusing patchwork of gun control laws which make it difficult for gun owners to ensure they are following the law.  Further, Second Amendment rights are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of where one resides.  State preemption statutes help protect against the infringement of rights of citizens who live in localities controlled by anti-gun elected officials.

Kitsap County claims their ordinance doesn’t violate state law and that the preemption statutes only apply to criminal laws.  If this were true, the state firearms preemption statutes would be useless, and there would be nothing to prevent other local communities from enacting similar, or more restrictive, gun control ordinances.  The Kitsap County ordinance clearly violates Washington’s preemption statutes, which also preempts regulations for shooting ranges.

Gun ranges are essential to protecting your Right to Keep and Bear Arms as they provide gun owners with an environment where they can practice using their firearms safely and effectively through target shooting and firearms safety training.

Your NRA will continue to stand firm and keep anti-gun localities and gun control advocates from infringing upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners in Washington.

Stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on the Kitsap II case.​