The Washington and Oregon state legislatures pass identical laws regulating the use of firearms. The wording of the statute is confusing, and some believe it applies only to those who have been convicted of a felony, while others believe it applies to anyone who has a criminal record, even if they were only convicted of a misdemeanor. The Oregon Supreme Court holds that the law applies to individuals who have been convicted of a felony. If the Washington Supreme Court hears a case involving the same law:
A. it can reach the opposite result
B. it must follow the Oregon Supreme Court decision if the facts of the case are substantially similar
C. it can reach the opposite result, but only if the legislature passes another law clarifying the intent
D. per the doctrine of stare decisis, it must follow the Oregon Supreme Court decision