lawsuit vs state of washington over assault rifles ban

AERO PRECISION FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST WASHINGTON ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN 

April 26, 2023 

Tacoma, WA – Due to the passage of House Bill 1240 (HB 1240) by the Washington Legislature and Governor Jay Inslee signing it in to law on 4/25/23, Aero Precision has filed a lawsuit in conjunction with several other plaintiffs to combat this overreaching legislation, seeking temporary and permanent injunction based on the unconstitutionality of this law. 

The case was filed on 4/25/23 in the Eastern District of Washington, U.S. District Court. Plaintiffs include Aero Precision LLC , Amanda Banta (2012 Olympian Sport Shooter), Sharp Shooting Indoor Range & Gun Shop, The Range LLC, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The complaint is filed against defendants Robert W. Ferguson, Attorney General of Washington State, and John R. Batiste, Chief of the Washington State Patrol. 

“We do not agree with this law and we do not think it is constitutional,” said Scott Dover, CEO of Aero Precision. “HB1240 bans some of the most common firearms and parts available. It impacts the lawful ownership of products we manufacture and sell to thousands of our customers in the State of Washington. It also restricts the rights of the individuals, Aero Precision employees, who make these parts. We will fight this law in the courts and are confident in the outcome given the clear rulings in multiple Supreme Court cases, including Heller and Bruen.” 

About Aero Precision 
Aero Precision is a firearms manufacturer based out of Tacoma, WA. Aero Precision has been in business in Washington since 1994, originally starting in the Aerospace industry. Today, Aero Precision is the largest firearms manufacturer in Washington, employing roughly 650 employees in Washington and over 200 in other areas around the US. Aero Precision manufacturers AR Parts and Components, Bolt Action Rifles, Suppressors and more. 

Full lawsuit text

The passage of this legislation does not impact Aero Precision’s ability to manufacture and ship parts to users outside of Washington State.

Comments (51):

  1. Matthew

    April 26, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    Thank you for taking prompt action! How can we help?

    Reply
    • David

      April 27, 2023 at 1:44 pm

      Exactly! Let us know how we can help!

      Reply
    • steve schofield

      April 27, 2023 at 4:04 pm

      Where’s the NRA????????

      Reply
      • Mack

        May 13, 2023 at 1:09 pm

        The NRA is trash, they pushed the bump stop ban.

        Reply
      • Greg Takemoto

        May 13, 2023 at 9:31 pm

        Usual place on their knee. Want to support and defend your God given natural right. Support the Second Amendment Foundation and Gun Owners of America. Both have been at the forefront of our fight and winning Does Heller, McDonald, Bruen ring a bell ALL are SAF & GOA wins. With the support of patriots like Aero Precision and Each of US.

        Reply
        • Nate

          July 3, 2023 at 1:02 am

          Laws are suppose to be made to protect the citizens of our United States of America. Politicians are trying to get cheap wins with uniformed voters. These laws aren’t doing anything to protect us as citizens. Why not just our law violent crimes shouldn’t that do the trick? Passing laws to harass law obeying citizens are not helping ANYONE! We need to hold our elected officials to higher standards. Thank you Aero Precision for standing up for those who don’t have a voice.

          Reply
      • Turp

        June 13, 2023 at 5:37 pm

        There’s no money in it for them.

        Reply
    • James

      May 13, 2023 at 3:01 pm

      Aero Precision should relocate to Texas.

      Reply
  2. Logan Martin

    April 26, 2023 at 7:24 pm

    Thank you for standing up for the rights of all Americans!

    Reply
  3. Ben

    April 26, 2023 at 10:09 pm

    Thanks for taking this on! Get this all sorted out so I can finish building out my AP stripped lowers!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Brian Lemons

    April 26, 2023 at 11:04 pm

    How can we support this lawsuit?

    Reply
  5. Nick

    April 26, 2023 at 11:24 pm

    It is unfortunate that you need to make this statement at all. I was able to get the parts I ordered prior to the ban with very fast shipping from Aero. I know all your people were working hard during this time.

    A second way to influence the state to possibly rethink their position, Aero could consider doing what other companies do. Stop selling to the LE agencies that exist in states with bans like this one. Force the government to follow the seam rules as the citizens.

    Reply
    • Jason Knapik

      May 13, 2023 at 11:02 am

      I stand behind this measure

      Reply
    • eRico

      May 20, 2023 at 4:18 pm

      🙌 May be a tact that all firearms and ammunition manufacturer should consider, grouping together and banning firearm sales to LE agencies and government entities, States that push such unconstitutional legislation

      Reply
    • Michael

      June 15, 2023 at 8:47 am

      Aero shouldn’t be forced to take a financial loss to prove a point. Instead every gun owner ought to be sending emails to the governor letting him know how they will vote next election.

      Reply
  6. Bob

    April 26, 2023 at 11:57 pm

    HB 1143 and SB 5078 were signed at the same time. They are also very bad for Second Amendment rights in our state. There have been a lot of bad bills being passed and forgotten while people are only focusing on high profile legislation.

    Reply
    • Jesse

      June 21, 2023 at 12:25 pm

      THIS! The State used the weapons ban to cover up the signing of the trans and gender affirming pedofile grooming bills.

      Reply
  7. Nick T

    April 27, 2023 at 12:25 am

    Thank you AERO and to the other plaintiffs who are helping to fight this. We the people how can we help let us know how!

    Reply
  8. Pat

    April 27, 2023 at 1:46 am

    Great job Aero, make this happen.

    Reply
  9. Mira

    April 27, 2023 at 3:01 am

    Thanks for fighting this. It not only affects WA residents but us all.

    Reply
  10. Corbin

    April 27, 2023 at 3:02 am

    Thank You for taking action!

    Reply
  11. Phillip

    April 27, 2023 at 3:33 am

    Let’s kick Inslee’s butt.

    Reply
  12. Mikhail

    April 27, 2023 at 4:39 am

    Thank You!!!!

    Reply
  13. Mark

    April 27, 2023 at 5:17 am

    Where can we donate to the cause?

    Reply
  14. Austin

    April 27, 2023 at 5:40 am

    Post a link for legal fund? I’d support a Aero Precision backed suit.

    Reply
  15. Gene

    April 27, 2023 at 11:26 am

    There are many Americans that are proud that you are standing up for our constitutional rights.

    Reply
  16. Jason

    April 27, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    Amen!

    Reply
  17. Mark Kirkley

    April 27, 2023 at 1:19 pm

    Bravo!
    Thank you for taking on this issue.
    Just another manifestation of the top notch organization that you are!

    Reply
  18. Ryan Vandermeulen

    April 27, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Thankyou!!!!!

    Reply
  19. Nate

    April 27, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    Thank you for fighting this tyrannical government.

    Reply
  20. Seb

    April 28, 2023 at 4:03 am

    Like DACA, Obama knew it was unconstitutional. But he knew his illegal executive order would take years and billions to overturn. In the meantime his unconstitutional, EO allowed illegals to stay in this country and consume american benifits by the millions and cause another problem once it was overturned. And yet there is zero repercussions for the anti-American legislators, presidents or 3-letter agencies from knowingly breaking the law, and violating the constitution. .

    Reply
  21. Gary

    April 28, 2023 at 4:22 pm

    I’ll help by continuing to purchase as much AP as I can. Thank you for engaging.

    Reply
  22. Bill Mager

    April 28, 2023 at 9:10 pm

    Thank you for standing up for our rights. I will always look to you for my AR needs

    Reply
  23. Tony

    April 28, 2023 at 10:12 pm

    Take the fight to these tyrants. They should just go live in Canada if they hate America souch

    Reply
  24. Chris

    April 29, 2023 at 12:47 pm

    So is AP still able to manufacture parts in Washington? Will AP need to move to another state?

    Reply
    • Aero Precision

      May 1, 2023 at 10:18 pm

      We are currently still able to manufacture products in state, but cannot sell to WA customers.

      Reply
      • Chris

        May 2, 2023 at 2:22 am

        I know it’s tough, but it might be time to pick up and move to a free state. Smith & Wesson is moving to Tennessee for the same reasons…. just saying.

        Reply
      • Gene

        June 3, 2023 at 6:49 pm

        Is Washington State going to try to collect taxes on the “Banned in Washington State”, stuff that you sell? Seems to me, they would be wrongfully taking those taxes on items they banned? What happens if you ignore this and continue doing business as usual? Do THEY have to prove you are harming people? Let them put you out of business? DUMB, people suggesting you “JUST” move to other states. Do they mean the states down south that had all those slaves a long time ago?

        ARTICLE I
        DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
        Article I Section 1
        SECTION 1 POLITICAL POWER. All political
        power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their
        just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.
        Article I Section 2
        SECTION 2 SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND. The
        Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the
        land.

        Reply
        • James

          June 15, 2023 at 8:50 am

          Yes those states down south that had slaves just like the ones up north had. Even the Ehite House had a few.

          Reply
  25. Lyle

    April 30, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    I hope we are taking on all 3 of the anti gun bills.
    If we only look at 1 that is how the pick away at our rights.

    Reply
  26. Jeffrey

    May 5, 2023 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you for your lawsuit against this tyrannical state.

    Reply
  27. Jeremy

    May 11, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    I am a huge fan of Aero Precision and currently own multiply parts and guns from them. I love them all. I will fight for my constitutional rights as a legit, born and raised American citizen of this beautiful country and for anyone or company that feels the same.

    Reply
  28. MG Sid

    May 11, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    Huge respect for your company. Thank you for fighting the injustices.

    Reply
  29. Kenn

    May 12, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    Honestly, I hadn’t considered building my own AR until this administration began attacking those who do. My son introduced me to AP, and I rabidly check each month for the next Cerakote design. I’m hooked, now building other firearms, for the moment legally.

    Thank you AP, both for a grand introduction to the hobby, but also for defending tyrannical power abusers, who apparently cannot read, or do not understand “shall not infringe”.

    If you post a link, most of us here would donate to help your fight.

    Reply
  30. Jose

    May 20, 2023 at 8:17 am

    The only thing that House Bill 1240 (HB 1240) did was made me buy 5 stripped uppers and build some rifles with my so. The building was a great father son time. Thank you for challenging this it court.

    Reply
    • Jose

      May 20, 2023 at 8:17 am

      well I meant to say 5 lowers

      Reply
  31. Ryan

    May 20, 2023 at 9:41 am

    Godspeed folks! I’m an ex WA resident. Spent the first 40 years of my life in that beautiful state. I’m old enough to remember when it was a 2A friendly state. Then a bunch of progressive leftists ruined their state, left CA for WA and began voting the same way they did in CA…. It’s a damn shame. I took my family and moved out of that state as soon as I saw the writing on the wall. Not to mention, there are too many people there now. WA used to be Americas best kept secret. I remember always hearing from out of staters “it just always rains out there, doesn’t it” and I would pleasantly reply with “it sure does, you’d hate it”.

    Reply
  32. Crashed

    May 29, 2023 at 5:58 pm

    Fuck NRA

    Reply
  33. No primer

    June 22, 2023 at 11:37 am

    Idaho would love to have your company relocate over here.

    Reply
  34. Don

    January 12, 2024 at 3:28 pm

    Good luck with the suit, so your employee base can continue to work. AND so the citizens of WA state will have their rights protected.

    Reply

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