Why some WA judges won't make accused domestic abusers surrender their guns

Soundside · Sep 2, 2025 · 20m

In 22 states, people subject to certain domestic violence protection orders must surrender their guns.

Washington State has had that requirement since 2014, when lawmakers unanimously voted to strip abusers of their guns.

But not all judges here have been enforcing that law.

That’s because of a 2022 appeals court decision that led many judges and judicial officers to view it as unconstitutional.

Now, a new ruling in a separate case may provide more clarity and keep more guns out of the hands of alleged abusers. Maybe.

Guest:

Kelsey Turner is an investigative reporter at InvestigateWest…