Month: February 2013

GOAL Post2013-6

Legislative Update from Olympia 22 February 2013

NEW BILLS INTRODUCED

POLICY COMMITTEE CUT-OFF — MOST GUN BILLS DIE

FISCAL COMMITTEE CUT-OFF NEXT FRIDAY

Two additional firearm-related bills were filed over the past week.SB
5739, by Sen. Ed Murray (D-43), would allow counties or cities to ban
firearms in public parks and other recreation areas.SB 5831, by Sen. Ann
Rivers (R-18), would prohibit double taxation of clay pigeons bought by
non-profit gun clubs who collect sales tax when selling rounds of
trap/skeet.SB 5739 was NOT scheduled for a public hearing.SB 5831 will
be heard in Senate Ways & Means next Tuesday (2/26).

Today is the first major culling of bills filedTo date, more than 2,800
bills have been filed for this legislative biennium (2013-14).Bills that
did not make it out of their original policy committee by the end of
business today are theoretically considered dead for the remainder of
the session.They may be reconsidered during any special session or in
the 2014 session.I say theoretically because the cut-offs are an
arbitrary date adopted at the beginning of a session.If sufficient
pressure is brought to bear, a bill may be resurrected.

The 2013 session sets a record: more than 30 firearm-related bills have
been filed.This is a first in the 20 years I have been lobbying in
Olympia.Eleven of the 30 are good bills, most of the rest are either
overtly bad or containing sections that do not protect the rights of gun
owners.

At this time it appears at least 18 bills failed to make the cut-off and
should be considered dead for the session.These include most of the
pro-gun bills and some of the bad ones as well.Again, a committee chair
has full discretion as to which bills he or she moves or lets die.

Ten firearm-related bills remain under consideration.In this issue of
GOAL Post I have listed ALL of the bills and their current status.Next
week I will delete those bills that died in committee.

Bills that have a fiscal impact on the state require a second hearing in
one of the legislative fiscal committees (House Appropriations or Fiscal
or Senate Ways & Means).This is to allow the legislature to identify
where the funding will come from to fund the bill’s requirements. Or
that’s the way it’s supposed to work!The last opportunity for these
bills to be heard in their original chamber (House or Senate) is next
Friday, 1 March.

Bills in the House or Senate Rules Committees sit there until leadership
decides they want to bring them to the floor for a full vote.In many
cases, they’re waiting on drafting of floor amendments.

While SB 5660, the bill that would require the Superintendant of Public
Instruction to develop a firearms safety education program along the
lines of the NRA’s “Eddie Eagle” program failed to pass out of
committee, a similar Senate Joint Memorial (SJM 8006) did
pass.Unfortunately, a Memorial can only recommend a course of action,
not require it.

BILL STATUS:

House Bill numbering begins with 1000; Senate Bills with 5000.The
following bills have been filed so far in the 2013-14 biennium:

Bill #SubjectSponsorStatus

HB 1096Juvi illegal firearm possessionHurst (D-31)H. Approp

HB 11471^st degree juvi unlawful possess.Goodman (D-45)DIED H. Jud

HB 1184Range protectionTakko (D-19)DIED H. Jud

HB 1318CPL renewal noticeTaylor (-15)DIED H. Jud

HB 1371WA Firearms Freedom ActTaylor (R-15)DIED H. Jud

HB 1383Stalking protection ordersGoodman (D-45)H. Rules

HB 1561Short barreled riflesBlake (D-19)DIED H. Jud

SHB 1588Background checksPedersen (D-43)H. Approp

HB 1612Firearm offender registryHope (R-44)H. Rules

HB 1676Mandatory safe storageKagi (D-32)DIED H. Jud

HB 1703Gun “safety” training and taxJinkins (D-27)DIED H. Jud

HB 1729Street gangsWarnick (R-13)DIED H. Jud

HB 1788Firearms/school employeesPike (R-18)DIED H. Jud

SHB 1839 Background checksGoodman (D-45)H. Rules

HB 1840Firearms/restraining ordersGoodman (D-45) H. Rules

HB 1908Firearms on school propertyScott (R-39)DIED H. Jud

SB 5282DSHS/WSP info exchangeCarrell (R-28)S. Rules

SB 5376Juvi illegal firearm possessionKline (D-37)S. W&M

SSB 5452Stalking protection ordersConway (D-S. Rules

SB 5478Firearms/mental health courtKeiser (D-33)DIED S. L&J

SB 5479Safekeeping of firearmsKeiser (D-33)DIED S. L&J

SB 5485Mandatory safe storageKline (D-37)DIED S. L&J

SB 5604NRA license platesHatfield (D-19)DIED S. Trans

HB 5625Background checksKline (D-37)DIED S. L&J

SB 5635Restoration of firearm rightsKline (D-37)DIED S. L&J

SB 5660Firearm safety educationChase (D-3)DIED S. Early Learn

SB 5710Mandatory safe storageKohl-Welles (D-46) DIED S. L&J

SB 5711Background checksKline (D-37)DIED S. L&J

SB 5737Ban on sale of “assault weapons”Murray (D-43)DIED S. L&J

SB 5739Ban on guns in parksMurray (D-43)DIED S. L&J

SB 5831Bans double tax on clay pigeonsRivers (R-18)S. W&M

Key to abbreviations:SB = Senate Bill, HB = House Bill, Jud = Judiciary,
L&J = Law & Justice, HS&C = Human Services & Corrections, Trans =
Transportation, Approp = Appropriations, Early Learn = Early Learning
and K-12 Education, W&M = Ways & Means

GOAL POSITION ON BILLS

HB 1096CONCERNS

HB 1383CONCERNS

HB 1588OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED

HB 1612CONCERNS

HB 1839SUPPORT

HB 1840OPPOSE

SB 5282SUPPORT

SB 5376CONCERNS

SB 5452CONCERNS

SB 5831SUPPORT

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:You may reach your Representatives and Senator by
calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.Toll free!!!The
hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules
and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at
“www.leg.wa.gov http://www.leg.wa.gov>”.Bills are available in Acrobat
(.pdf) format.You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com).You may also obtain hard
copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room
FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.Copies of bills may also be
ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800)
562-6000.You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at
http://www.tvw.org/(you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at
the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill,
you can see how individual committee members voted.By reading the “roll
call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on
any bill.The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is
available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail,
send a message to “[email protected]
[email protected]>”.Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you
believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.Better yet, make a
couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin
board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).PERMISSION IS HEREBY
GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED
IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO
GOAL.I can be reached at “[email protected]
[email protected]>” or by telephone at (425)
985-4867.Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to
individuals.Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the
Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me
at “[email protected]” [email protected]>with the words
“Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line.I will remove your name
immediately.Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun
lists.If you received GP via a lit, you must contact that list’s admin
to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Puyallup23-24 February

Puyallup23-24 March

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself,
or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall
be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize,
maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2013 Gun Owners Action League of WA

GOAL Post2013-5

Legislative Update from Olympia 15 February 2013

POLICY COMMITTEE CUT-OFF NEXT FRIDAY

MORE NEW BILLS FILED

PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD

EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD

BILL(S) PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE SESSION SCHEDULED

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

First, a brief tutorial on bill action.A committee chair has almost
total control over whether he or she chooses to act on a bill (there is
a procedure to “relieve a committee” of a bill, but it’s rarely
invoked).To move through the process, a bill must normally receive a
public hearing, where citizens (and lobbyists) have an opportunity to
testify orally or submit a written statement about a bill.After
consideration of the public input, the bill may be scheduled for
“executive action” (a vote out of committee, usually done in conjunction
with public hearings on other bills).This is typically when bills may be
amended to reflect approved changes.Again, it is the committee chair’s
call as to whether to move forward with a bill or not.If a bill is voted
out of committee, a “bill report” is published, outlining any changes,
summarizing testimony, and what the vote was (which legislators voted
“aye” or “no” to move the bill.A bill then goes to the Rules Committee
to await a pull to the full chamber (House or Senate) floor for a vote,
or to one of the fiscal committees if the bill has fiscal impact.

Next Friday is the first chamber policy committee cut-off.Nominally, all
bills that have failed to get a hearing and be voted out of the policy
committee are dead for the session (again, exceptions can be made).Most
of the gun bills filed this year have NOT had a public hearing and will
likely die next Friday (22 February).The following week I’ll cull the
“Bill Status” listing to reflect only those bills still in play — still
under consideration..

Several new bills were introduced this week (keep in mind there is only
one week left before the policy committee cut-off).HB 1839 by Rep. Roger
Goodman (D-45) completes the action taken two years ago when successful
completion of a federal NICS check was added to the requirement for
issue of a Concealed Pistol License.ATF approved Washington as a
NICS-alternative state, meaning anyone with a valid CPL issued on or
after 22 July 2011 did not have to undergo a new NICS check to purchase
a firearm.This final step amends Washington law to waive the NICS
check.HB 1840, also by Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45), expands the number of
restraining or protective orders that include prohibition of firearm
possession.HB 1908 by Rep. Elizabeth Scott (R-39) amends Washington’s
“gun free school zone” law to allow firearm possession by contract
security personnel and adds an exception for transiting school property
to enter hunting areas.SB 5737 by Sen. Ed Murray (D-43) is a reprise of
the “assault weapon” ban bill that failed to pass out of committee
several years ago, with a new twist: it bans ANY barrel with a threaded
muzzle than can accept a suppressor.Duh!Suppressors are LEGAL in
Washington, Senator..

One I missed last week was SB 5660 by Sen. Maralyn Chase (D-32) that
would mandate an Eddie Eagle-style firearms training program starting in
school year 2014-15.One problem: the bill requires the program be
targeted at the K-12 level.Eddie Eagle is a gun avoidance program
intended to be presented to K-6 students.What 7-12 students need is the
NRA’s Home Firearm Safety program.

Public hearings were conducted on several bills this past week.The big
one was in House Judiciary on Wednesday, when testimony was taken on HBs
1147 (juvenile possession), 1588 (background checks), 1612 (firearm
offender registry) and 1676 (mandatory safe storage).HB 1588 drew most
of the attention, with opponents calling attention to several flaws in
the bill that would make it impossible to enforce.A substitute version
taking some of those issues into consideration was offered, but the
problems persist. Supposedly work is underway to further amend the
bill.Turnout for the hearing was significant, with an extra room opened
for the overflow.About 2/3 of the attendees were pro-gun, the remaining
third anti or supporting the bad bills.Something to keep in mind:most of
the anti-gun attendees were there on their boss’s dime, drawing full pay
to be there.Most pro-gun attendees had to take time off from work to
participate.Which one demonstrates greater commitment to their side of
the issue? The Senate Law & Justice Committee also held a public hearing
today on SB 5479 (law enforcement “safekeeping” of firearms).

On February 12th, the House Judiciary Committee passed a substitute
version of HB 1096 (juvenile illegal firearm possession).Changes to
address our concerns were made in the substitute bill, however our
concerns about proper application of the bill remain.. The bill now goes
to House Appropriations because of its potential fiscal impact. It also
passed a substitute version of HB 1383 (stalking/protection orders),
also addressing some of our concerns, but concerns remain.

At this time, the only bill scheduled for executive session (a committee
vote) is an amended version of HB 1588.

Public hearings are scheduled for three bills next week:HBs 1839 and
1840 and SB 5660.See details below.

public hearingsUnfortunately, at least two meetings of the Senate Law &
Justice Committee have no scheduled bills to be heard in public
testimony at this time.

SB 5660Sen EL2/21 1730

ph1096approp1530 2/21

BILL STATUS:

House Bill numbering begins with 1000; Senate Bills with 5000.The
following bills have been filed so far in the 2013-14 biennium:

Bill #SubjectSponsorStatus

HB 1096Juvi illegal firearm possessionHurst (D-31)H. Approp

HB 11471^st degree juvi unlawful possess.Goodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1184Range protectionTakko (D-19)H. Jud

HB 1318CPL renewal noticeTaylor (-15)H. Jud

HB 1371WA Firearms Freedom ActTaylor (R-15)H. Jud

HB 1383Stalking protection ordersGoodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1561Short barreled riflesBlake (D-19)H. Jud

HB 1588Background checksPedersen (D-43)H. Jud

HB 1612Firearm offender registryHope (R-44)H. Jud

HB 1676Mandatory safe storageKagi (D-32)H. Jud

HB 1703Gun “safety” training and taxJinkins (D-27)H. Jud

HB 1729Street gangsWarnick (R-13)H. Jud

HB 1788Firearms/school employeesPike (R-18)H. Jud

HB 1839Background checksGoodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1840Firearms/restraining ordersGoodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1908firearms on school propertyScott (R-39)H. Jud

SB 5282DSHS/WSP info exchangeCarrell (R-28)S. HS&C

SB 5376Juvi illegal firearm possessionKline (D-37)S. HS&C

SB 5452Stalking protection ordersConway (D-S. HS&C

SB 5478Firearms/mental health courtKeiser (D-33)S. L&J

SB 5479Safekeeping of firearmsKeiser (D-33)S. L&J

SB 5485Mandatory safe storageKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5604NRA license platesHatfield (D-19)S. Trans

HB 5625Background checksKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5635Restoration of firearm rightsKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5660Firearm safety educationChase (D-3)S. Early Learn

SB 5711Background checksKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5737Ban on sale of “assault weapons”Murray (D-43)S. L&J

Key to abbreviations:SB = Senate Bill, HB = House Bill, Jud = Judiciary,
L&J = Law & Justice, HS&C = Human Services & Corrections, Trans =
Transportation, Approp = Appropriations, Early Learn = Early Learning
and K-12 Education

GOAL POSITION ON BILLS

HB 1096CONCERNS

HB 1147CONCERNS

HB 1184SUPPORT

HB 1318SUPPORT

HB 1371SUPPORT

HB 1383CONCERNS

HB 1561SUPPORT

HB 1588AWAITING AMENDMENTS

HB 1612CONCERNS

HB 1676OPPOSE

HB 1703OPPOSE

HB 1729SUPPORT

HB 1788SUPPORT

HB 1839SUPPORT

HB 1840OPPOSE

HB 1908SUPPORT

SB 5282SUPPORT

SB 5376CONCERNS

SB 5452CONCERNS

SB 5478CONCERNS

SB 5479OPPOSE

SB 5485OPPOSE

SB 5604NEUTRAL

SB 5625OPPOSE

SB 5635OPPOSE

SB 5660SUPPORT

SB 5711OPPOSE

SB 5737OPPOSE

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

20 FebHBs 1839, 1840House Judiciary Committee

8:00 a.m.House Hearing Room “A”John L. O’Brien Office Building

21 FebSB 5660Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12

5:30 p.m.Senate Hearing Room “1”John A. Cherberg Senate Office Building

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:You may reach your Representatives and Senator by
calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.Toll free!!!The
hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules
and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at
“www.leg.wa.gov http://www.leg.wa.gov>”.Bills are available in Acrobat
(.pdf) format.You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com).You may also obtain hard
copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room
FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.Copies of bills may also be
ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800)
562-6000.You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at
http://www.tvw.org/(you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at
the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill,
you can see how individual committee members voted.By reading the “roll
call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on
any bill.The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is
available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail,
send a message to “[email protected]
[email protected]>”.Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you
believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.Better yet, make a
couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin
board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).PERMISSION IS HEREBY
GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED
IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO
GOAL.I can be reached at “[email protected]
[email protected]>” or by telephone at (425)
985-4867.Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to
individuals.Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the
Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me
at “[email protected]” [email protected]>with the words
“Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line.I will remove your name
immediately.Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun
lists.If you received GP via a lit, you must contact that list’s admin
to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Monroe16-17 February

Puyallup23-24 February

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself,
or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall
be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize,
maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2013 Gun Owners Action League of WA

GOAL Post 2013-4

Legislative Update from Olympia 8 February 2013

SEVERAL NEW BILLS FILED

TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

TURNOUT NEEDED IN OLYMPIA

At least eight new gun bills were filed, good and bad.HB 1676 by Rep.
Ruth Kagi (D-32) is another mandatory safe storage bill similar to the
1997 “Whitney Graves” bill.HB 1703 by Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) is
interesting: it imposes a $25 tax per transfer of any firearm, as well
as a tax of one cent per round of ammunition sold… to fund a
state-developed firearms safety training program.Between this and HB
1588/SB 5625, that’s a $45 tax on EVERY firearm transferred.HB 1729 by
Rep. Judy Warnick (R-13) adds penalties to street gang members found
with firearms, and HB 1788 by Rep. Liz Pike (R-18) would allow qualified
school personnel to carry on campus.

On the Senate side, SB 5604 by Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-19) would
authorize an NRA license plate.(I’ll just say it once: I believe we’d be
better off with a generic “Second Amendment” plate — it’s harder to
criticize the Bill of Rights.)SBs 5625 and 5711 by Sen. Adam Kline
(D-37) are similar to HB 1588 — they require ALL firearm transfers to
be conducted by an FFL or by law enforcement, with resulting record
keeping (de facto registration) AND a $20 transfer fee (tax). SB 5635,
also by Sen. Kline, makes it harder for firearm rights to be restored.

Two public hearings are scheduled for next week.On Wednesday, 13
February at 8:00 a.m., the House Judiciary will take public testimony on
HBs 1147, 1588, 1612 and 1676.On Friday, 15 February also at 8:00 a.m.,
the Senate Law & Justice Committee will conduct a public hearing on SB 5479.

If at all possible, PLEASE try to attend the House Judiciary hearing on
Wednesday.It’s important that we get as large a pro-gun turn-out as
possible to demonstrate our opposition to HBs 1588 and 1676.HB 1588,
especially, as it creates a de facto gun registration system in
Washington.There are ways to conduct background checks that DO NOT
retain data on the transfer.If they want background checks, run a pure
background check bill.If they want registration, call it that and let’s
debate it.

If you can’t attend the hearing, please write to your Representatives
AND to the members of the Judiciary Committee and go on record with your
opposition to these two bills.Links to legislator contact information:

http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/

http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Representatives/

House Judiciary Committee:

Rep, Jaime Pedersen (D-43)[email protected]

Rep. Drew Hansen (D-23) [email protected]

Rep. Jay Rodne (R-5)[email protected]

Rep. Steve O’Ban (R-28)[email protected]

Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45)[email protected]

Rep. Mike Hope (R-44)[email protected]

Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27)[email protected]

Rep. Steve Kirby (D-29)[email protected]

Rep. Brad Klippert (R-8)[email protected]

Rep. Terry Nealey (R-16)[email protected]

Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33)[email protected]

Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D-21)[email protected]

Rep. Matt Shea (R-4)[email protected]

In the “GOAL Position” vbseveral bills are marked “CONCERNS.”As
mentioned previously, the concerns are based on how the bill might be
improperly enforced and ensnare an individual that the bill was never
intended to trap.There is a lot of judicial and prosecutorial
flexibility in the system, theoretically enough to preclude this from
happening.That’s in a perfect world.We don’t live in a perfect world.

BILL STATUS:

House Bill numbering begins with 1000; Senate Bills with 5000.The
following bills have been filed so far in the 2013-14 biennium:

Bill #SubjectSponsorStatus

HB 1096Juvi illegal firearm possessionHurst (D-31)H. Jud

HB 11471^st degree juvi unlawful possess.Goodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1184Range protectionTakko (D-19)H. Jud

HB 1318CPL renewal noticeTaylor (-15)H. Jud

HB 1371WA Firearms Freedom ActTaylor (R-15)H. Jud

HB 1383Stalking protection ordersGoodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1561Short barreled riflesBlake (D-19)H. Jud

HB 1588Background checksPedersen (D-43)H. Jud

HB 1612Firearm offender registryHope (R-44)H. Jud

HB 1676Mandatory safe storageKagi (D-32)H. Jud

HB 1703Gun “safety” training and taxJinkins (D-27)H. Jud

HB 1729Street gangsWarnick (R-13)H. Jud

HB 1788Firearms/school employeesPike (R-18) H. Jud

SB 5282DSHS/WSP info exchangeCarrell (R-28)S. HS&C

SB 5376Juvi illegal firearm possessionKline (D-37)S. HS&C

SB 5452Stalking protection ordersConway (D-S. HS&C

SB 5478Firearms/mental health courtKeiser (D-33)S. L&J

SB 5479Safekeeping of firearmsKeiser (D-33)S. L&J

SB 5485Mandatory safe storageKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5604NRA license platesHatfield (D-19)S. Trans

HB 5625Background checksKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5635Restoration of firearm rightsKline (D-37)S. L&J

SB 5711Background checksKline (D-37)S. L&J

Key to abbreviations:SB = Senate Bill, HB = House Bill, Jud = Judiciary,
L&J = Law & Justice, HS&C = Human Services & Corrections, Trans =
Transportation

GOAL POSITION ON BILLS

HB 1096CONCERNS

HB 1147CONCERNS

HB 1184SUPPORT

HB 1318SUPPORT

HB 1371SUPPORT

HB 1383CONCERNS

HB 1561SUPPORT

HB 1588OPPOSE

HB 1612CONCERNS

HB 1676OPPOSE

HB 1703OPPOSE

HB 1729SUPPORT

HB 1788SUPPORT

SB 5282SUPPORT

SB 5376CONCERNS

SB 5452CONCERNS

SB 5478CONCERNS

SB 5479OPPOSE

SB 5485OPPOSE

SB 5604NEUTRAL

SB 5625OPPOSE

SB 5635OPPOSE ?

SB 5711OPPOSE

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

13 FebHBs 1147, 1676, 1588, 1612House Judiciary Committee

8:00 a.m.House Hearing Room “A”John L. O’Brien House Office Building

15 FebSB 5479Senate Law & Justice Committee

8:00 a..m.Senate Hearing Room “1”John A. Cherberg Senate Office Building

7 FebHB 1383House Judiciary Committee

1:30 p.m.House Hearing Room “A”John L. O’Brien House Office Building

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:You may reach your Representatives and Senator by
calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.Toll free!!!The
hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules
and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at
“www.leg.wa.gov http://www.leg.wa.gov>”.Bills are available in Acrobat
(.pdf) format.You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com).You may also obtain hard
copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room
FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.Copies of bills may also be
ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800)
562-6000.You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at
http://www.tvw.org/(you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at
the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill,
you can see how individual committee members voted.By reading the “roll
call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on
any bill.The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is
available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail,
send a message to “[email protected]
[email protected]>”.Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you
believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.Better yet, make a
couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin
board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).PERMISSION IS HEREBY
GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED
IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO
GOAL.I can be reached at “[email protected]
[email protected]>” or by telephone at (425)
985-4867.Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to
individuals.Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the
Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me
at “[email protected]” [email protected]>with the words
“Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line.I will remove your name
immediately.Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun
lists.If you received GP via a lit, you must contact that list’s admin
to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Monroe16-17 February

Puyallup23-24 February

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself,
or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall
be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize,
maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2013 Gun Owners Action League of WA

GOAL Post 2013-3

Legislative Update from Olympia1 February 2013

NUMEROUS NEW GUN BILLS FILED

STAND BY FOR GUN REGISTRATION

FOUR NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

ABOUT PUBLIC HEARINGS

LEGISLATOR CONTACT INFO

Seven new gun-related bills were filed in Olympia this week.HB 1561, by
Rep. Brian Blake (D-19), would reauthorize possession of short barreled
rifles, provided federal requirements were met.We lost this one in the
1994 rewrite of state firearms code. HB 1588, by Rep. Jaime Pedersen
(D-43), nominally calls for background checks on ALL firearm transfers
in Washington.More on this one a few paragraphs below.HB 1612, by Rep.
Mike Hope (R-44), would create a “firearm offender” registry, similar to
the current sex offender registry.Sounds nice, but sex offenses and
firearms offenses are two entirely different kinds of violation.SB 5376,
by Sen. Adam Kline (D-37) is the Senate counterpart (duplicate) to HB
1096.SB 5452, by Sen. Steve Conway (D-29), is the Senate counterpart to
HB 1383, adding firearm restrictions to those subject of a stalking
protection order.SB 5479, by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-33), a bizarre bill
that creates a system whereby firearms may be “voluntarily” surrendered
to law enforcement authorities for safekeeping for a 30-day period,
subject to extensions.While the term “voluntarily” appears several times
in the bill, it appears to allow family members and mental health
professionals to “recommend” surrender.A firearm not properly returned
to the legal owner may be “disposed of in accordance with agency
procedures” (usually destruction).SB 5483, by Sen. Adam Kline (D-37) is
another firearms safe storage bill that — technically at least — does
not “mandate” safe storage of a firearm, but imposes severe penalties,
up to a Class “C” felony, if an unauthorized person access your firearm(s).

Several bills are being run this session in an attempt to identify and
control the possession of firearms by prohibited persons, be they gang
members or mentally incompetent or juveniles… and occasionally the
otherwise innocent young person with a gun.The problem with bills
written so tightly as to catch ALL offenders is that they also catch
some people the law was never intended to catch, or where no criminal
intent existed.I have listed the GOAL Position on these bills as
“CONCERNS” in the hope that the bill sponsor will accept recommended
amendments to ensure the bill stays focused on the bad guys.”Concerns”
is NOT an endorsement of the bill.

A long time ago (and it seems in a land far away), then-Senate Majority
Leader Lyndon Johnson made this observation about bills/proposed
laws:”It is better to consider a bill in light of the HARM it will do if
IMPROPERLY administered, rather than in light of the GOOD it will do if
PROPERLY administered.”Far be it from me to accuse legislators of
intentionally passing misleading bills.But consider the 1970s RICO
(racketeering) statute, supposedly targeting organized crime, and how it
has been misapplied over the decades.It’s called the law of unintended
consequences, and the wrong people can be — and have been — harmed by it.

I expect several more extreme gun control bills to be offered during the
session, but at this point HB 1588 is the most dangerous bill under
consideration.Using classic bait & switch tactics (just as at the
federal level), HB 1588 nominally requires background checks — only —
of any firearm transferred in Washington state.It also allows up to a
$20 “fee” (tax?) for such background check.What this really is is a
firearm registration bill in disguise.Two methods of background check
are offered: processing by a federally-licensed firearms dealer (FFL) or
visit your local police or sheriff’s station and have them run a
background check.For an FFL to conduct a NICS background check on a
transfer, he or she must first log the firearm into the business’s
“bound book,”Then the buyer must fill out a Form 4473 before the
call.Between the bound book and the 4473, a permanent record of the
firearm and the buyer is created, subject to ATF inspection upon
demand.(If the buyer fails the background check, the FFL CANNOT return
your firearm to you until after another NICS check is conducted — on
you, with suitable fee.)

The second method is to ask your local police to do the check for
you.The bill mandates a form similar to the current state “white” form
used on all handgun transfers, complete with description of the buyer
and the firearm.Two problems here:the big one is that there is no
prohibition on law enforcement, or the Department of Licensing, from
keeping the records, either the form itself or transferred to a computer
data base. We call that “registration,” as in the State Pistol
Registry.The second problem here is that under federal law, local
agencies do not have legal access to NICS for simple transfers.

Let there be no doubt in your mind, HB 1588, and similar bills to be
offered at the federal level, are after one thing only: gun
registration.If they want to debate registration, by all means do so.But
call it what it is.Don’t try to sell it under a false flag, and one that
is likely to gain widespread support even among gun owners. There ARE
ways to conduct background checks WITHOUT the record-keeping. We showed
them that in Olympia twice in the past decade.They rejected it, and
admitted that what they wanted was the “audit trail” — the paperwork.

Four public hearings are scheduled next week on bills of gun owner
interest.The House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1383
(Stalking) at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, 7 February in House Hearing Room
“A.”The Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee will hear THREE
bills next week: SBs 5282 (DSHS/WSP data exchange) and 5452 (Stalking)
at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 5 February in Senate Hearing Room 1.SB 5376 (Juvi
firearms) will be heard at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 7 February, also in
Senate Hearing Room “1.”

Public hearings 101.A public hearing is exactly that — an opportunity
for the public to provide input on bills under consideration.Each bill
starts with an explanation of the bill’s effect by committee staff, then
a statement by the bill’s prime sponsor.It is then opened to public
input, controlled by the committee chair.If you want to speak on a bill,
you must sign up prior to the hearing.Tables just outside or inside the
hearing room have sign-up sheets available.You can also sign on and
state your position on a bill (“pro” = support, “con” = oppose) without
giving public testimony.Public testimony is usually limited to a maximum
of three minutes, to allow as many as possible to speak, so keep your
testimony to one or two points.Start with your name, any organization
you might represent (you must be a designated representative, NOT just a
member), and your home town.In short, simple terms explain why you
support or oppose the bill.Do not repeat earlier testimony if another
person has made that point and do NOT attack or criticize people on the
other side of the issue.You may also leave a written copy of your
testimony with staff.

The Legislature has published new telephone and office directories for
the 2013 session.The following links can be used to identify direct
contact information:

http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/

http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Representatives/

BILL STATUS:

House Bill numbering begins with 1000; Senate Bills with 5000.The
following bills have been filed so far in the 2013-14 biennium:

Bill #SubjectSponsorStatus

HB 1096Juvi illegal firearm possessionHurst (D-31)H. Jud

HB 11471^st degree juvi unlawful possess.Goodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1184Range protectionTakko (D-19)H. Jud

HB 1318CPL renewal noticeTaylor (-15)H. Jud

HB 1371WA Firearms Freedom ActTaylor (R-15)H. Jud

HB 1383Stalking protection ordersGoodman (D-45)H. Jud

HB 1561Short barreled riflesBlake (D-19)H. Jud

HB 1588Background checksPedersen (D-43)H. Jud

HB 1612Firearm offender registryHope (R-44)H. Jud

SB 5282DSHS/WSP info exchangeCarrell (R-28)S. HS&C

SB 5376Juvi illegal firearm possessionKline (D-37)S. HS&C

SB 5452Stalking protection ordersConway (D-S. HS&C

SB 5479Safekeeping of firearmsKeiser (D-33)S. L&J

SB 5485Mandatory safe storageKline (D-37)S. L&J

Key to abbreviations:SB = Senate Bill, HB = House Bill, Jud = Judiciary,
L&J = Law & Justice, HS&C = Human Services & Corrections

GOAL POSITION ON BILLS

HB 1096CONCERNS

HB 1147CONCERNS

HB 1184SUPPORT

HB 1318SUPPORT

HB 1371SUPPORT

HB 1383UNDER REVIEW

HB 1561SUPPORT

HB 1588OPPOSE

HB 1612OPPOSE

SB 5282SUPPORT

SB 5376CONCERNS

SB 5452CONCERNS

SB 5479OPPOSE

SB 5485OPPOSE

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

5 FebSBs 5282 & 5452Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee

10:00 a.m.Senate Hearing Room “1”John A. Cherberg Senate Office Building

7 FebSB 5376Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee

10:00 a..m.Senate Hearing Room “1”John A. Cherberg Senate Office Building

7 FebHB 1383House Judiciary Committee

1:30 p.m.House Hearing Room “A”John L. O’Brien House Office Building

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:You may reach your Representatives and Senator by
calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.Toll free!!!The
hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules
and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at
“www.leg.wa.gov http://www.leg.wa.gov>”.Bills are available in Acrobat
(.pdf) format.You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com).You may also obtain hard
copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room
FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.Copies of bills may also be
ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800)
562-6000.You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at
http://www.tvw.org/(you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at
the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill,
you can see how individual committee members voted.By reading the “roll
call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on
any bill.The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is
available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail,
send a message to “[email protected]
[email protected]>”.Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you
believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.Better yet, make a
couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin
board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).PERMISSION IS HEREBY
GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED
IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO
GOAL.I can be reached at “[email protected]
[email protected]>” or by telephone at (425)
985-4867.Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to
individuals. Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the
Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me
at “[email protected]” [email protected]>with the words
“Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line.I will remove your name
immediately.Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun
lists.If you received GP via a lit, you must contact that list’s admin
to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Monroe16-17 February

Puyallup23-24 February

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself,
or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall
be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize,
maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2013 Gun Owners Action League of WA