AG Ferguson seeks local law enforcement applicants for $2 million in gun violence prevention funding

Funds stem from successful lawsuit against gun dealer that illegally sold high-capacity magazines

SEATTLE - Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that his office is accepting applications from local law enforcement agencies for $2 million in funding for programs intended to reduce gun violence, promote firearms safety and support victims of gun violence.

Applications for the funding must be submitted by Oct. 31. Applications should be submitted to Cherie Norris, grants and contracts supervisor at the Attorney General's Office, at [email protected] or by mail at 7141 Cleanwater Dr. SW, P.O. Box 40107, Olympia, WA 98504-0107.

The one-time funding opportunity is the result of a lawsuit enforcing Washington's ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines. A King County judge ruled Federal Way Discount Guns violated the law by selling thousands of high-capacity magazines, and the store paid $3 million. Ferguson chose to use $2 million of that money to fund law enforcement efforts to support efforts to reduce gun violence.

"Putting this money directly in the hands of local law enforcement will improve public safety in communities across our state," Ferguson said. "These funds will combat gun violence and offset the harm caused by the brazen and unlawful actions of Federal Way Discount Guns."

Any local police department, county sheriff's office or tribal police agency in Washington is eligible to apply for the funding. Applicants must demonstrate how gun violence is impacting their community, supported by relevant data, and clearly articulate how they will use the funding to achieve concrete goals to address the problem.

Agencies have 60 days to apply for the funds. Agencies that receive funds must keep track of how the funds are used.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact [email protected] or call 360-709-6465.

Federal Way Discount Guns lawsuit results in gun violence prevention funding

Ferguson's consumer protection lawsuit against Federal Way Discount Guns led to a resolution that funded this opportunity.

Washington prohibits the sale of magazines with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Ferguson's investigation into Federal Way Discount Guns found that the retailer sold 3,625 of these unlawful high-capacity magazines between July 1, 2022 - when the law went into effect - and December 2022, when Ferguson filed his lawsuit.

In April 2023, a King County judge ruled Federal Way Discount Guns broke the law. As a result of the case, Federal Way Discount Guns paid $3 million to the Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General's Office is retaining approximately $1 million for the office's costs to investigate and litigate the case, and will disperse up to $2 million to local law enforcement agencies to support gun violence prevention efforts.

The $2 million in funding is known as a cy pres distribution, meaning an indirect form of restitution rather than individual payments direct to consumers.

When resolving lawsuits, the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office often recovers costs and fees incurred in bringing the actions, as well as civil penalties and restitution. Whenever possible, the Attorney General attempts to provide direct restitution to consumers who were harmed by the conduct of the subject of a lawsuit.

However, it is not always possible to identify each consumer who was harmed, or the amount of money available for each individual makes it impractical to distribute money directly to consumers. In those situations, courts can allow a cy pres distribution. Cy pres means "as near as possible," and requires that funds be distributed in a manner that benefits the category of consumers harmed by the illegal conduct.

You can learn more about cy pres awards from the Attorney General's Office here.

-30-

Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

Media Contact:

Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; [email protected]

General contacts: Click here