With the governor’s signing of Senate Bill 5954, the Washington State Patrol is holding a Bump Stock Buy-Back Program. The next buy-back period will be March 24-25.
Washington State residents will have an opportunity to turn in their bump stocks before the federal law banning the devices takes effect on March 26.
Bump stocks replace the standard stock and grip of a semi-automatic firearm and allow the recoil of discharge to be used to fire the gun in very rapid succession. This simulates fully automatic fire and can be inaccurate and extremely dangerous.
Effective March 26, the U.S. Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to clarify that bump stock type devices are machine guns as defined by the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Machine guns are illegal in Washington and Senate Bill 5954 allows state residents the opportunity to turn in up to five bump-stock-type devices and receive $150 per device. The bill appropriates $150,000 for the program.
For Whidbey residents, the nearest participating State Patrol office is at 2700 116th Street NE in Marysville.
People can visit the office 10 a.m.-4 p.m., March 24-25 to exchange their bump stocks for a voucher. Individuals can also turn in their devices directly to the ATF or other law enforcement agencies where they will receive a written receipt.
They can then bring the receipt into the State Patrol office and get a voucher for the $150.
Once their voucher is processed, the State Patrol will mail individuals a check for $150 for each bump stock they turn in. No checks will be issued the day an individual turns in their bump stock.
There is a limit of five bump stocks per individual, and all vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the $150,000 appropriated in Senate Bill 5954 has been distributed, no more funds will be available.
Individuals must be a Washington resident (a Washington driver’s license and/or identification card is required).
