Washington’s Bump-Fire Stock Buyback Program: Is $150 Worth The Risk?

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

Last year Washington State government’s knee-jerk reaction to a mass shooting resulted in a legislated ban of “Bump-Fire” modifications to semi-automatic firearms. A few legislators submitted an amendment to the impending legislation allowing for a buy back program where residents of the state could receive a voucher for up to $150.00 per stock if they surrendered the stocks either directly to the State Patrol or received a receipt issued for one by a local law enforcement agency.

While some, including myself, had objections to the government’s taking of property without just compensation, which was in some fashion allayed by a price offered that was reasonable considering the market cost for such rifle stocks, the implementation of the buy-back program was not well thought out–which is usually the case with quickly crafted laws.

While some residents having these stocks might find the offer from the state attractive, I do not believe the amount offered is sufficient to offset potential risks associated with turning in these stocks and expecting payment. The buy-back program is also widely open to profiteering and manipulation.

The legislation authorizing the buy-back included an appropriation of $150,000 to fund a thousand potential vouchers. The law directed the State Patrol to craft rules facilitating the exchange of the stocks for a voucher program. It was decided that a first-come first-served system would be implemented.  See http://www.wsp.wa.gov/buyback .

Criteria

•Individuals must be a Washington resident (an official Washington driver’s license and/or identification card is required)

•Individuals must have a valid mailing address

•There is a limit of five bump stocks per person

Procedure

1. An individual may bring in an operable or inoperable bump stock to the listed WSP offices.
2. An individual may also turn in the device(s) to the ATF or other law enforcement agencies to obtain a receipt. (Individuals must then bring the receipt to one of the listed WSP district office on the designated dates/times to receive a voucher for payment.)
3. An Individual must present a valid Washington driver’s license or identification card.
4. At the WSP office, the individual will complete a voucher form with a valid mailing address.
5. The WSP will process the voucher for payment.
6. The WSP will mail a check to the individual at the mailing address provided on their original voucher form
7. An individual may bring in an operable or inoperable bump stock to the listed WSP offices.
8. An individual may also turn in the device(s) to the ATF or other law enforcement agencies to obtain a receipt. (Individuals must then bring the receipt to one of the listed WSP district office on the designated dates/times to receive a voucher for payment.)
9. An Individual must present a valid Washington driver’s license or identification card.
10. At the WSP office, the individual will complete a voucher form with a valid mailing address.
11. The WSP will process the voucher for payment.
12. The WSP will mail a check to the individual at the mailing address provided on their original voucher form.

My first thought on this voucher program was to wonder if this information was subject to public disclosure.  Would an applicant for the voucher face the possibility of being personally identified by anyone who submits a public disclosure request for these records? If so it could represent a substantial risk of being targeted for a burglary by criminal elements seeking to illegally acquire firearms. Logic would hold that a person who had at one time a bump-fire stock would be a firearms enthusiast probably one having multiple rifles and other arms. I cannot see the profile of the average bump-fire stock owner owning just one rifle. The profile would be ripe for the taking. This was especially aggravated by the requirement to prove by identification that one resided in the state and having a return address to mail the voucher.  Perhaps this could be mitigated by the presenter giving a “General Delivery” address to their local post office but that would be rather inconvenient and probably not one that most individuals would think of. (If this form of addressing is permitted)

The next concern would be if being on this list might it might be used against them in either a political, legal, mental health, or social context.

I can just foresee a scenario where various individuals have unreasonable and pre-conceived notions about what they believe a bump-fire stock owner to be and that they will be considered a threat or unstable, as it is linked in their minds with, as an example, the Las Vegas mass shooter.  The availability of these voucher lists if they are once made available to the public forum could have everlasting consequences.  The problem might manifest in job applications, used as evidence in character reference, and etc.

Certainly there are those who do not share my concerns and would be happy to surrender this soon-to-be contraband device in exchange for a hundred and fifty bucks, or an even better deal with a maximum of five per person. Thus, there is certainly some money to be made, even if it is a little on the shady side.

The law and its derivative agency rules crafted by the State Patrol broadly defines what constitutes a bump-fire stock. It offers to purchase the stocks, working or not. It does not define a stock such one commercially manufactured for the purpose. A homemade device appears to satisfy the requirements. I have seen such devices crudely assembled using PVC pipe and some using wooden boards. The instructions for making these are easily obtained. In fact, they can be made for less than ten dollars each. What would the WSP do if presented with a family consisting of a husband, wife, daughter, and two year old son to each bring five homemade devices and collectively earn vouchers totaling three grand? It seems certainly possible

There is also the question if a state resident could receive several bump-fire stocks from others residing in other states and sell these via proxy, in exchange for a “piece of the action.”

How this will play out in the end is probably unknown. Will people give these up, destroy them on their own, drop them at the WSP’s front door anonymously, or whatever remains to be seen. I do believe one might find insight in the experience with gun buyback programs in other states. One of the most common strategies adopted by those participating in the buyback programs elsewhere was people would turn in their rusty, broken and junk firearms for cash and use that cash toward buying a new, nicer weapon. The same potential exists here and with up to seven hundred fifty dollars to be had, why not show the State of Washington politicians a little chutzpah and purchase a new AK-47 or Glock Pistol with the Seal of the State of Washington engraved on the slide with the words “Paid for by Governor Inslee”?

Buy-back Pay Back.

By Darren Smith

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