Federal judge rules I-1639 constitutional

TACOMA — A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that gun-control measure Initiative 1639 is constitutional.

U.S. District Court of Western Washington Judge Ronald Leighton, a Whitworth University graduate, issued his ruling Monday on the gun control measure.

Under I-1639, semi-automatic rifles are redefined as “assault rifles,” adults 18-20 are barred from having semi-automatic rifles, and dealers are required to sell safes and gun locks and prohibited from selling them to out-of-state residents.

The law also made owners criminally liable should their firearm – even if stolen – is used in the c...