BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) A group focused on reducing gun violence gives Washington a top grade.

The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence is praising the state for mandating waiting periods and mandatory training for gun purchases and banning assault weapons.

It also points to Washington’s investment in community violence intervention and victims’ access to justice law.

The center says Washington can improve its A- grade by banning armed intimidation of voters and ballot counters, enacting universal background checks and further regulating gun dealers.

Overall, the center’s analysis of Washington’s gun laws and gun death rate ranks the state 9th safest.

The Giffords Center is led by former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was badly injured by gunfire in an assassination attempt in 2011 that left six people dead, and 18 others hurt.