GRANDVIEW — Arguments in Yakima County District Court accusing Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson of criminal wrongdoing for his support of a new gun control law weren’t strong enough to compel a visiting judge to seek charges Friday.

The voter-approved gun law, Initiative 1639, makes it illegal to sell or transfer a semiautomatic rifle to anyone younger than 21. It also requires that gun buyers complete a firearms safety course and go through a background check that includes a mental health history. Additionally, it subjects owners to felony charges if an unsecured gun is stolen and used in a crime and they fail to report the theft to police within five days.

The age requirement on the sale of semiautomatic rifles went into effect Jan. 1; the rest of the new law takes effect July 1.

Yakima Valley attorney Michael Scott Brumback sought misdemeanor charges against Ferguson, arguing the attorney general used his office to campaign in support of the measure, intended to deprive citizens of their constitutional rights in the process, and that his participation interfered with his duty as state attorney general.

In a letter to the court, Ferguson’s office said the District Court lacked jurisdiction in the matter because the alleged crimes didn’t occur in Yakima County.

“In any event, the actions that the citizen alleges to be ‘crimes’ are instead consistent with — and in fulfillment of — the attorney general’s legal duties under Washington’s Constitution and laws,” Assistant Attorney General John Hillman wrote.

Visiting Judge Terry Tanner of Benton County reviewed Brumback’s complaint, agreeing on some points but finding that nothing “rises to the level of criminal charges.”

Brumback made his presentation on behalf of 200 complainants upset about the way Ferguson supported the gun control initiative, which they contend is unconstitutional.

Brumback is a former law partner of Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic, who has joined the ranks of several other law enforcement leaders across the state in opposition to the new gun law.

More than 70 people, including Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer, crowded into Lower Valley District Court in Grandview to hear the matter.

Brumback scrolled through his presentation on a large monitor, referencing Washington laws pertaining to the use of elected office in political campaigns and the duties of elected officials. He also provided quotes from Ferguson about his support of I-1639.

Brumback argued Ferguson violated state law when he used the clout of his office in campaigning for the gun law. Brumback also argued that Ferguson’s participation interfered with his duty because his office is charged with writing the ballot titles of such initiatives.

Tanner said Brumback’s concerns may be legitimate from an ethical standpoint, but don’t constitute probable cause for criminal charges.

“From my perspective, there’s a lot of things wrong with this initiative,” Tanner said in closing. “It’s being challenged and it probably will be overturned.”

In November, the National Rifle Association filed a joint lawsuit with the Second Amendment Foundation in U.S. District Court challenging the initiative’s constitutionality.

There’s a groundswell of discontent among law enforcement leaders over the initiative.

Yakima County Sheriff Bob Udell, Songer, sheriffs in Lewis and Ferry counties and Republic Police Chief Loren Culp all have said they will not enforce the law.

Brusic has said the initiative targets guns and not criminals.

Songer said he made the drive from Goldendale in Klickitat County to observe the hearing.

“I think it was an outstanding effort,” he said of Brumback’s presentation. “I’m a little disappointed in the ruling. That’s just the beginning, not the end, and we’ll keep up the good fight to protect everyone’s rights. Everyone has a vested interest.”