Last week, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that his office is awarding nearly $2 million in funding to 12 local law enforcement agencies across Washington state to support gun violence prevention efforts. The grants will fund programs ranging from gun buybacks and youth outreach to firearm safety education and victim support initiatives.
“We are investing this money in communities to help law enforcement prevent gun violence,” Ferguson said. “Their efforts will improve public safety across Washington.”
The one-time funding comes as a result of a consumer protection lawsuit Ferguson filed against Federal Way Discount Guns for violating Washington’s ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines. A King County judge ruled the retailer sold thousands of unlawful magazines, leading to a $3 million resolution. More than $1.8 million of those funds will now support local programs aimed at reducing gun violence, promoting firearm safety, and assisting victims.
The agencies receiving funding include police departments, tribal law enforcement, and sheriff’s offices spanning nine counties on both sides of the Cascades. The largest award—more than $545,000—will go to the Airway Heights Police Department in Spokane County to fund a victim support program for individuals impacted by gun violence.
The Seattle Police Department will receive $343,310 to support firearm storage initiatives and youth outreach programs, while the Auburn Police Department will receive $203,628 for investigative equipment. Other funded efforts include gun exchange events, firearm safety classes, and outreach programs targeting firearm education and mental health awareness.
The full list of grant recipients and their plans for the funding includes:
• Airway Heights Police Department: Victims support program — $545,464
• Seattle Police Department: Firearm storage and youth outreach — $343,310
• Auburn Police Department: Investigative equipment — $203,628
• Federal Way Police Department: Gun exchange and locking safes — $150,000
• Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office: Firearm storage system — $140,000
• Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office: Gun buyback and firearm storage — $125,000
• Cowlitz Tribal Police Department: Youth education and mental health awareness training — $106,500
• Langley Police Department: Firearms systems updates — $75,000
• Pacific Police Department: Education, lock boxes, and outreach — $67,386
• Bellevue Police Department: Gun buyback event — $50,000
• Mukilteo Police Department: Gun buyback, lock boxes, firearms safety class scholarships, education — $50,000
• Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office: Outreach and education — $40,000
The Attorney General’s Office selected these 12 programs from 20 proposals submitted by eligible law enforcement agencies statewide. Each selected proposal was evaluated for its potential to address gun violence and promote public safety. Agencies receiving the funds will be required to track their expenditures and submit reports detailing how the money was used, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Attorney General’s Office.
The funding stems from the resolution of Ferguson’s lawsuit against Federal Way Discount Guns. Washington law prohibits the sale of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Ferguson’s investigation revealed that between July 1, 2022—when the ban took effect—and December 2022, the retailer sold 3,625 high-capacity magazines in violation of state law.
In April 2023, a King County judge ruled that Federal Way Discount Guns had broken the law. The retailer ultimately agreed to pay $3 million to resolve the claims, allowing Ferguson’s office to allocate the funds toward gun violence prevention efforts. Any funds not used for these local initiatives will support the Attorney General’s Office in covering costs for the investigation, litigation, and future enforcement of similar cases.
By directing the funding to targeted community efforts, Ferguson underscored the importance of investing in public safety at the local level.
“These grants are about keeping communities safer,” Ferguson said. “Whether through supporting victims, promoting secure firearm storage, or expanding outreach and education, this funding is a meaningful step toward reducing gun violence across Washington state.”