GOAL has been a major force protecting and restoring Second Amendment rights in Olympia for over twenty years with its dedicated efforts to defeat ill-considered legislation attacking firearms owners and to press for laws recognizing and protecting fundamental firearms rights and an early supporter of efforts opposing the poorly written and deeply misguided I-594. Often fighting uphill battles against anti-gun legislative majorities and governors, GOAL has consistently held its ground or made actual advances in the face of long odds.
Joined on the legislative scene by Protect Our Gun Rights Washington, GOAL will only be more effective with a strong ally by its side.
GOAL’s efforts – whether through direct legislative action or through supporting pro-gun candidates – have held the line nearly alone for Washington gun owners rights for decades. Today they are being reinforced with grass roots support, new allies in Olympia and ever more vital relationships on both sides of the aisle.
Join GOAL and your fellow gun owners at the January 15th Rally for Your Rights to hear a wide variety of gun rights viewpoints before visiting your legislator and helping them understand the importance of repealing or amending I-594 and other bad gun laws.
WAFLAG will provide help at the rally to folks unsure of who their legislator is and how best to meet with them. In the meantime, locate your legislator by going to www.app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/ or contact the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Let them know your views!
Tomorrow, 10 November 2014, is the 239th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Happy birthday to all of my Marine brethren and to our “FMF Corpsman,” the highest calling in the Navy. Right after “Semper fidelis” comes “Corpsman up!” (The devil made me put that in GOAL Post.)
47% of the registered voters in Washington took the trouble to return their mail-in ballots this time around. Shame on any gun owners who failed to vote.
For gun owners, the passage of I-594 will no doubt dominate the discussion, and I’ll get to that next. But there is a silver lining in the election. My biggest fear the day before the election was that I-594 supporters would use their $9 MILLION bank account to conduct a massive get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaign. Without question that would have had a spillover effect on the legislative elections. But apparently they didn’t — and it didn’t.
The overall result of the legislative elections was a net plus for Republicans. Former Democrat Representative and now Republican Senator-elect Mark Miloscia (R-30-Federal Way) won his bid to replace retiring Democrat Tracy Eide, giving Republicans clear majority control of the state Senate, 25R-24D. Add to that the fact that nominally-Democrat Senator Tim Sheldon beat off an attempt by Party loyalists to run a Democrat challenger, Irene Bowling, against him. No doubt with a lot of help from Republican voters in the 35th, Tim won his election, and will no doubt continue to work with Republicans in the Majority Coalition. (And congratulations to WAC Honorary Life Member Pam Roach (R-31) for her victory over a Republican challenger.)
On the House side, the GOP picked up four seats, and a fifth seat awaits a recount vote. Welcome Representatives-elect Lynda Wilson (R-17) (also an NRA-certified firearms safety instructor), Melanie Stambaugh (R-25), Michelle Caldier (R-26) and Dan Griffey (R-35). All four defeated incumbent Democrats. That gives us a House make-up of 51Ds-47Rs, not a Republican majority, but a lot closer. All but one of the pro-gun Democrats also won reelection, so from a purely gun rights perspective, we should be in good shape.
Immediately following the election, in press conferences crowing about their initiative victory, I-594 supporters promised an aggressive gun control campaign in the next legislative session, looking at things like “assault weapon” bans, magazine capacity limits, mandatory safe storage, etc. At least theoretically, a Republican-controlled Senate and a pro-gun majority in the House should bring all such designs to a rapid halt. But politics doesn’t always work that way, especially in the House where control still rests with Democrats, and leadership decides which bills move and which bills die. There is no doubt gun control advocates believe momentum is on their side, and they’ll attempt to exploit it.
As for I-594, at this point there are more questions than answers. Given the ambiguity of many provisions in the initiative, it’s going to boil down to a question of interpretation, followed by a decision of what will be enforced, in which way. Without doubt you can expect full enforcement of background checks at gun shows and for any other permanent transfer (sale) of a firearm. While a strict reading of the provisions for loans, etc, would call for background checks here, too, that’s going to be difficult to enforce, and it remains to be seen what guidance will be given to police. This should all be hashed out before the initiative takes effect on 4 December, a day before the WAC gun show in Monroe, coincidentally!
There are discussions underway about how to attack 594, and how to limit its impact on law-abiding gun owners. As an initiative passed by the people, for two years any legislative fixes would take a 2/3 majority vote of the legislature — and that ain’t gonna happen. But there are potentially some legislative actions that can be taken around the to ameliorate the impact. Court challenges are also a possibility, for portions of the initiative. Again, the issue is being worked. More on that as they develop.
I’ll be publishing more information about enforcement, and the gun community’s reaction to it, as the effective date approaches.
WARNING! I expect our law enforcement professionals to be exactly that — professionals. While most did not support I-594, now that it is law they have a duty to enforce it, as interpreted by their chain-of-command.
What I DO expect to see is attempted stings — entrapment scenarios played out, especially at venues like gun shows. Not by police officers, but by 594 supporters. You get out of your car at the gun show, pull a shotgun out of the trunk and head for the gate. It wouldn’t surprise me to see someone approach you and make an offer for the shotgun. You ask, “What about the background check,” and the “buyer” responds, “Hey, who’s to see or know?” The person that will see and know is the guy the next lane over, with his cellphone camera or videocam up and running, recording the whole transaction. And that will force our police friends into enforcing a law they may not like or agree with, but it’s the law.
DO NOT GET TRAPPED. LIKE IT OR NOT, FOLLOW THE LAW UNTIL WE GET IT SORTED OUT!
By now the whole world knows that Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate, giving them a 52-46 majority in that body. Two seats are still up for grabs, both likely to go to Republicans, giving them 54-46 control when the new, 114th, Congress convenes in January. The only thing we know for sure at this point is that it will be an interesting two years!
Hopefully Republicans understand that the election results were not so much an embrace of Republican policies and principles as it was a rejection of Obama policies. There’s a big difference there, obviously. But it’s hard for someone who just won an election to think that it wasn’t so much his or her winning personality as much as dislike for the other guy — or the other guy’s surrogate, President Obama.
It wasn’t particularly encouraging to hear the president say that he not only heard the voters, he heard “the voice of those that did not vote.” Huh? He’s hearing voices? Is this the same guy who said in 2012, “If you don’t like my policies, go win an election.” Well, they did. In 1994, after the Democrat disaster that saw Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress, then-President and master politician Bill Clinton acknowledged that some of the loss was due to his policies, and he accepted full responsibility for that. Three words you will NEVER hear Barack Obama say are, “I accept responsibility.”
In 1995 and beyond, Clinton moved to the center, worked with Republicans on many issues, and passed landmark legislation such as welfare reform (since overturned by a stroke of Obama’s executive pen). President Obama is still threatening us with that executive pen, apparently with immigration “reform” (i.e. amnesty) at the top of the list. And how close to the top is gun control?
One clear outcome is that for the first time in his presidency, Obama will have to take responsibility for using that pen, whether for executive orders that exceed his authority or for use of the veto. For the past four years, the Republican-controlled House has been passing bill after bill, only to have them stonewalled in the Senate by Harry Reid. Reid has been running interference for Obama.
That firewall is gone. Bills will now move to the president’s desk, and if he vetoes them, we will know where the “gridlock:” lies. Expect a lot of, “Well, the Republicans MADE me veto the bill, it’s not my fault. They knew I wouldn’t sign it.” I guess that’s an improvement from pointing the finger at George W. Bush!
One last shot. 53% of your fellow citizens did not vote in the election. The next time someone complains to you about the effect of I-594, ask them if they voted. If they didn’t, you know where the blame lies. Shame on them.
The next legislative session begins on 12 January. I expect to start publishing GOAL Post a week prior to that.
GOAL Alert 1-2014
Legislative Update from Olympia 26 January 2014
PUBLIC HEARING ON INITIATIVES
LEGISLATURE INUNDATED WITH PRO-I-594 E-MAILS
CHANGE IN POSITION ON HUNTER ED BILL
This is a repeat, but it bears repeating. Public hearings will be conducted on Initiatives 591 (pro-gun) and 594 (anti-gun) on 28 January (House Judiciary) and 29 January (Senate Law & Justice). It is critical that as many individuals as possible turn out to attend BOTH of these hearings.
A strong turnout sends a strong signal to both the legislature and to the media present of the support for, or opposition to, each of the initiatives. Signs and posters are not allowed inside the buildings, but we will be distributing “Guns Save Lives” stickers to participants. Parking in the vicinity of the Campus is tight, and Olympia loves to give tickets for illegal parking, so car pools are strongly encouraged. http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Parking.aspx
The House Judiciary Committee will conduct it’s hearing on both initiatives at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, in House Hearing Room “A” in the John L. Obrien (House) Office Building. The Senate Law & Justice Committee will hear both initiatives at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Senate Hearing Room “1” in the John A. Cherberg Senate Office Building. Sign-up sheets will likely be posted outside the hearing rooms. Please come early and sign in FOR I-591 and AGAINST I-594.
House Judiciary chair Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) announced she would also hear HB 1561 — legalizing short-barreled rifles under state law — in conjunction with her hearing on the initiatives Tuesday afternoon.
We are receiving reports legislators are being inundated with e-mails asking them to support I-594 (anti-gun) and oppose I-591 (pro-gun). Whether you can or can’t make it to Olympia on Tuesday and/or Wednesday, and especially if you can’t make either day, it is imperative you communicate with your legislators and tell that that I-594 is not only too extreme for Washingtonians, it’s possibly in conflict with federal law as well.
Speaking of being inundated with e-mails, I have received several from hunter education instructors asking that we reverse our position on the Hunter Education fee increase bills. Given that they are far more current with the program (my experience goes back 25-35 years), I defer to their judgment. The position will change to “SUPPORT” in the next GOAL Post.”
I look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday and Wednesday.
GOAL Post 2014-1 Legislative Update from Olympia 10 January 2014
LEGISLATURE CONVENES MONDAY, 13 JANUARY
HANDFUL OF NEW MEMBERS IN EACH CHAMBER
POSSIBLE ELECTION YEAR INFLUENCE ON LEGISLATION
29 BILLS HELD OVER FROM 2013 SESSION
TWO NEW PRE-FILED BILLS
INITIATIVES
LEGISLATIVE TUTORIAL
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
LEGISLATOR DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
LATE PUBLICATION NEXT WEEK
The second regular session of the 63rd (biennial) Washington state legislature convenes Monday, January 13th for its short (60 day) session. Control of the legislature remains split, with Democrats controlling the House of Representatives with 55 seats, while the minority Republicans have 43. From a gun owners perspective, this view is skewed by the f act that a small handful of Democrats side solidly with gun owners on those issues. The Senate remains controlled by a Majority Coalition of 24 Republicans and two Democrats. From a standpoint of stopping bad bills, we should be all right, but it will be difficult to move pro-gun legislation forward.
Due to resignations and “promotions” (elections to higher or other office), there are six new faces in the House and six in the Senate. The ones with the greatest potential impact on gun owners are election of Jan Angel (R-26) to the Senate, giving the Majority Coalition 26-23 control, and Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) taking over House Judiciary from now-Senator Jamie Pedersen (D-43). Jinkins’ background is in public health issues, so I don’t expect any change in philosophy in House Judiciary. Senator Adam Kline (D-37) has announced he will not run for reelection this year, but he will be with us for this session.
Mid-term elections will be conducted in November. To a limited degree, that might influence how elected officials vote on controversial issues. (Guns? Controversial? Nah, it’s clearly protected in BOTH federal and state constitutions… but apparently some people can’t read.)
As this is the second year of the biennium, bills that were filed last year and not passed by the legislature remain available for consideration. 29 firearm-related bills, good and bad, from 2013 are still in the hopper (see list below). In addition, two additional gun-related bills were pre-filed before the session started. HB 2164, by Rep. Tina Orwall, would require juveniles adjudicated or convicted of firearm possession offenses participate in “aggression replacement training, “family therapy” or some other approved therapy sessions, and SB 5956 by Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-19) would reopen the door to legal possession of short-barreled rifles.
The “battle of the initiatives” is about to formally kick off later this month. I-594 backers turned in approximately 345,000 signatures, well over the 246,000 needed for consideration. I-591 backers (Protect our Gun Rights) turned in about 349,000 signatures. The signature petitions must be validated by the Secretary of State before they are officially presented to the legislature. That process is expected to take about two weeks. Interesting, in their public statement on the initiatives, the Secretary of State’s office referred to I-594 as a “gun control” measure and to I-591 as a “gun-related” measure (an accurate characterization as I-591 PROTECTS gun rights and limits background checks to those required by federal law). I-594 broadly expands the requirement for background checks on ALL firearm transfers, retail and private, to include loans of guns in many cases. I-594 would also prevent gun safety classes being given outside recognized shooting ranges (such as those classes conducted at WAC gun shows). More on these later.
For those new to legislative affairs, here’s how the process works: When a bill is filed in the House or Senate (or both, simultaneously, called “companion bills”) it is assigned to a policy committee. Most gun-related bills go to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Senate. In the House it’s a little more complicated, as it may be sent to House Judiciary, House Public Safety, or House Juvenile Justice. Public hearings may be held, after which the bill may (or may not) be voted out of committee. If the bill has a fiscal impact (usually an expenditure of more than $50,000), it must then go to Senate Ways & Means or one of a couple of House fiscal committees. The bill then goes to the Senate or House Rules Committee, where it must be voted on to pass out to the floor for a full vote.
After a bill passes the Senate or House, it then goes over to the opposite chamber (House or Senate), where the whole process starts over again. If the bill passes the second chamber in the same form it passed the first, it goes to the governor for signature (or veto or partial veto). If changes are made in the second chamber, it goes back to the first for concurrence. It may also go to a conference committee from both chambers to resolve differences. The final version must pass both chambers.
The bill then goes to the Governor, who may sign it into law, veto (kill) the bill, or sign a partial veto (killing just selected section(s) of the bill). The governor may also allow a bill to become law without her (or his) signature. Most signed bills take effect on 1 July, although bills with an “emergency clause” (considered immediately necessary for public safety) take effect upon signature by the governor.
One of the first items of business in each session is the adoption of the session calendar, identifying dates by which bills must clear various hurdles. A bill that fails to clear the policy committee or chamber floor by the designated date is generally considered dead for the year, although they may be “resurrected” by parliamentary procedure. I’ll post the cut-off dates for the 2009 session in the next issue of GOAL Post.
The Democrat caucus has extended its reach from urban and suburban areas to rural areas. In these districts, the enthusiasm for gun control is diluted. If the Democrats expect to hold these rural districts in the next election, they will have to tread carefully on the gun issue. If you live in a rural or even suburban district with Democrat Representatives or a Democrat Senator, it is important that you call their office and express concern about your gun rights. Ask them to keep you informed of any gun-related legislation. This lets them know that you are watching them on this issue.
The Legislature has not yet published new telephone and office directories because legislators are not sworn in until Monday, 13 January. The following links can be used at that time to identify direct contact information:
I’ll be attending the annual SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trades) trade show 14-17 January and won’t return until the 18th (Saturday). I’ll probably get the next GOAL Post out Saturday night or Sunday.
BILL STATUS:
The following 28 bills filed in 2013 remain under consideration in the 2014 session:
Key to abbreviations: S. = Senate, H. = House, Jud = Judiciary, K-12 = Education, L&J = Law & Justice, Trans = Transportation, W&M = Ways and Means
HEARING SCHEDULED:
14 January HB 2164 House Judiciary Committee
1:30 p.m. House Hearing Room “A”
John L. O’Brien Bldg (JLOB)
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!!!
1-800-562-6000 TDD 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“. 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]” or to “[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]” 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.
Upcoming WAC gun show(s):
Monroe 11-12 January
Puyallup 18-19 January
“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
GOAL Post 2013-UPDATE 3
Legislative Update from Olympia 17 October 2013
KERRY SIGNS UN ARMS TRADE TREATY
BI-PARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES OPPOSE
LEGISLATIVE “WORK SESSION” ON BACKGROUND CHECKS
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE GOES HOG WILD FOR GUN CONTROL
COLORADO RECALLS SENATORS FOR ANTI-GUN VOTES
INITIATIVES
GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM TRAINING EVENTS
On 25 September, United States Secretary of State John Kerry signed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, making the United States the 113th country to sign. However, at this time only seven countries have actually ratified the treaty (not all countries require ratification, especially those countries that are effectively dictatorships). At this point, the United States is a l-o-n-g way from ratification. Sooner or later, Senate Majority Leader Harry “Friend of the NRA” Reid will undoubtedly push for a ratification vote, but there are far too many other controversial issues facing the Senate right now.
Bi-partisan groups of 51 U.S. Senators and 101 Representatives sent separate letters to President Obama opposing the UN ATT. While ratification by the Senate is unlikely, there is something to keep in mind: the Constitution requires approval of 2/3 of Senators to ratify a treaty. This DOES NOT necessarily mean 67 Senators. The Constitution says “2/3 of Senators PRESENT” when a vote is taken. A case of a Republican-only flu or similar legislative shenanigans could put us at risk. Would Harry Reid do that?
On Thursday, 3 October, the Washington state House Judiciary Committee conducted a “legislative work session” on firearm background checks. This was not a public hearing, but an internal workshop intended to provide information to lawmakers on the tops of the session. Of the 13 members of the House Judiciary Committee, only five members attended the session — all Democrats. In addition to state employees from the Washington State Patrol, the Department of Licensing, the Department of Social and Health Services, and Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza testifying, input was taken from a Special Agent from the Seattle Office of the ATF and two representatives of the gun community: myself and a Federal Firearms Licensee from Vancouver.
While the session was supposed to inform legislators about how the current background system works, most of the testimony from the state employees sounded like it was a budget development session, with several complaints about inadequate staffing, inadequate funding, inadequate time to conduct background checks, etc. (And gun control advocates want to EXPAND the background check requirement EXPONENTIALLY by requiring background checks on ALL firearm transfers (including loans)?
DSHS recommended expanding the current mental health prohibition to include individuals put on a 72-hour mental health “hold” for evaluation. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Haven’t they heard about fundamental Constitutional rights and due process?
There was brief discussion of extending the state handgun background check process (separate white form, etc) to long guns. No one was hot for the idea, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come up in January!
The sole FFL present had very little to say.
I covered gun show procedures, both as conducted by the Washington Arms Collectors and commercial gun shows, then spent time addressing other background check-related issues, as well as answering questions posed by the Representatives present.
During its 2013 session, the Democrat-dominated California legislature passed at least 11 gun control bills. Given the demographics in the Golden State, that is likely all we can expect from Sacramento as long as our republic lasts. To his credit, Governor Jerry “Governor Moonbeam” Brown (D) only signed four of the bills into law. He vetoed the remaining SEVEN.
Bills that are now law in the State of California include those prohibiting the use of lead ammunition for hunting (!), expanding the child access prevention (CAP) law (i.e. “lock up your safety” adding full civil liability for parents/guardians, banning the sale of parts or repair kits that could be used to build a magazine with a capacity of greater than ten rounds, and finally, expanding the current requirement for a buyer to obtain a “handgun safety certificate” to buy a handgun to long gun firearm transfers as well.
Brown vetoed bills expanding and adding new registration fees to semi-automatic “assault weapons” not previously covered as well as banning future sale/transfer, further restricting the sale of handguns not on the official “Attorney General’s approved handgun list” (almost all older handguns), effectively repealing California’s existing already-less-than-perfect state preemption law, making it a crime to fail to report to police a stolen firearm, banning gun shows at the Cow Palace (a hot issue in San Francisco), banning certain non-traditional shotguns, and lastly, expanding the list of persons prohibited from possessing a firearm to include anyone convicted of DUI Of a motor vehicle or boat.
As sure as death and taxes, most of those bills will be back before the governor in the future.
Colorado is another state where Democrat-dominated politics resulted in passage of restrictive gun control laws this year, including a ban on normal capacity magazines. Colorado gun owners did not take this sitting down. They ran recalls on two of the leading state Senators involved in the gun control feeding frenzy: Senate President John Morse and Senator Angela Giron. The recall petition drives were successful AND the recall elections themselves were successful by strong margins. Both long-term state Senators are now drawing unemployment. The Democrats now hold only a one-seat majority in the state Senate, 18 to 17, and gun owners have initiated a THIRD recall election for another gun-grabbing Senator.
The success of the Colorado recalls has sent signals throughout the western states and perhaps nationwide about what can happen to elected officials who demonstrate a willingness to deny fundamental rights. Meanwhile USA Today reported that pro-gun-control Democrat Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is urging outside gun control groups (such as soon-to-be-unemployed Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns) to STAY OUT OF COLORADO. Bloomberg contributed $350,000 to Morse and Giron, money thrown down the tube.
Both pro-gun I-591 and anti-gun I-594 are moving forward. The Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility says it turned in 150,000 petition signatures to the Secretary of State a short time ago. They’re now collecting additional signatures to ensure they have a margin of safety for the 246,000 VALID signatures needed to get the initiative before the legislature in January. I-591, too, is close to the necessary amount of signatures needed to move forward. They should be turning over signatures in the near future.
I expect BOTH initiatives will be certified by the Secretary of State and move over to the legislature for action during the 2014 regular session, which begins in mid-January. It is up to the legislature to pass either or both, to ignore either or both, or to pass an amended version of either of the initiatives. 2014 is an election year, so I expect at this time that the legislature will punt, and kick BOTH initiatives to a vote of the people in November 2014. That means another major campaign during 2014 to ensure we prevail on election day.
While we’re discussing initiatives, two “grassroots campaign workshops” will be conducted in Western Washington this weekend. These political action workshops run 8 hours and cover different material than the previous meeting in Tacoma.
This Grassroots Campaign Workshop teaches you how to manage or contribute to a winning campaign, advocacy organization, or legislative initiative. Ideal attendees are campaign staff, candidates, activists, or groups interested in working on ballot initiatives, propositions, or legislation.
Topics to be covered include developing a persuasive message, building grassroots infrastructure, recruiting and managing volunteers, getting voters to the polls, building strong coalitions and targeting voters with a specific message.
The workshops will be conducted on Saturday and Sunday — this weekend. Saturday’s event is at the Silverdale Beach Hotel, 3073 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Silverdale, WA. On Sunday, the event goes down at Picasso Catering, 3822 S. Union Ave Suite D, Tacoma, WA. Both events run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration: $25.00 + breakfast and lunch will be offered at the training for $10.00 total.
Downloadable event flyers and agendas are also on the RSVP links.
BILL STATUS, BILL POSITION and PUBLIC HEARING SECTIONS DELETED UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE RESUMES ACTION.
GET THE WORD OUT: If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to “[email protected]”or to “[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]” 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]” 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 list, you must contact that list’s admin to unsubscribe.
Upcoming WAC gun show(s):
Monroe 2-3 November
Puyallup 23-24 November
“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.”
GOAL Post 2013-UPDATE 2
Legislative Update from Olympia 30 August 2013
NO OBAMA SIGNATURE ON THE UN TREATY… YET
OBAMA TELLS MAYORS: “I’LL TAKE UNILATERAL ACTION”
UN GUN CONFISCATION LETTER
GUN CONTROL PLAYBOOK REVEALED
SEATTLE “NO GUNS ALLOWED” CAMPAIGN
I-591 SIGNATURES AND DONATIONS NEEDED
Despite repeated assurances from White House spokesman Jay Carney that President Obama will sign the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (UN ATT) before the end of the summer Congressional recess, Obama has yet to do so. He only has four days left before the Capitol resounds with the pitter-patter of Congressional soles on the marble floors. There is no doubt he will sign the treaty. Given that it stands almost no chance of Senate ratification, this is merely form over substance, something Obama is very good at. Obama speaks loudly, but carries a little stick.
(Could it be he’s distracted with Syria, his European allies having abandoned him in using force against that rogue nation? The Europeans and most Americans get it: if Muslim wants to kill Muslim, who are we to intervene? Especially in support of Al Qaeda-backed “rebels.” Of 154 countries who voted “for” the UN ATT, only 83 have signed it to date.)
Speaking of form over substance, earlier this week President Obama called mayors of some of our biggest cities to the White House to tell them he is prepared to by-pass Congress and take unilateral action to impose his gun control agenda on the American people. (Notably absent was the President’s former Chief of Staff and current mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, murder capital of the U.S.)
Sure enough, a day later ventriloquists dummy Joe Biden announces two measures to be imposed by Presidential decree. The first is a block on the return of U.S. surplus firearms exported to allied countries over the past half century. These are mostly M1 rifles (Garands) and M1 carbines, both highly desirable by collectors and — in the case of the Garands — by competitive shooters. I don’t recall hearing reports of 9 1/2 pound, 43″ long Garands, or slightly shorter carbines, being used on the mean streets of D.C. or Chicago, both fine examples of the effectiveness of strict gun controls..
The second measure would require background checks of officers and trustees of corporations/trusts who purchase National Firearms Act of 1934 -controlled weapons (machine guns, short barreled rifles and shotguns, suppressors and some others). It is my understanding the principals of such entities already undergo a six-month ATF background check when the apply to buy such devices. Again, pure form over substance which will do nothing to prevent misuse of firearms by criminals. But as we all know, it’s not about guns, it’s about control.
(Maybe Obama should consider sending all these Garands and carbines to Syrian rebels.)
In an earlier meeting with gun control advocates, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he will introduce a “new” gun bill during the 2014 session. Presumably it will be more of the same: expanded background checks and whatever else he thinks he can force through the Senate. Look for any such action to follow immediately on the heels of a mass shooting or some other highly visible incident.
A letter purportedly from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is floating around the internet. The letter allegedly outlines the master plan to disarm civilian populations in member nations. The UN denies the existence of the letter or of any such plan. Is the letter a hoax? Likely. Is the intent of the UN to impose citizen disarmament worldwide? Undoubtedly.
A liberal think tank has produced an 80-page playbook to guide gun control advocates in passing or promoting gun control legislation. This first surfaced recently in efforts to push I-594, the gun control initiative right here in Washington. They stress the use of emotion and emotional images over fact and logic in making their case. This is actually nothing new. Anyone who has attended Judiciary Committee hearings has witnessed the hype and emotion used to override and suppress facts. Criminal code, environmental issues… it doesn’t matter. Emotion almost always trumps facts, especially with the misinformed public (or legislators with an agenda). Keep in mind that, reprehensible as they may seem, these tactics can be used by our side as well.
Facing declining support in his bid for reelection as mayor of Seattle, Mike McGinn decided to play the gun control card, frequently a sure winner in liberal Seattle. Joining hands with Washington Ceasefire, McGinn is pushing businesses to post “Gun Free Zone” signs in their businesses. In and of themselves, the signs have no force of law. If you are found with a gun on their premises (“concealed” means concealed), you will be asked to leave. Only if you refuse to leave at that point are you in violation of the trespass code — NOT a gun violation. A list of businesses who don’t want business from gun owners is conveniently posted by Washington Ceasefire at http://washingtonceasefire.org/ (I notice most of the steak houses I frequent are not on the list.) The only remaining question is will armed robbers use the list to choose targets?
As summer fades, signature gathering for Initiative 591 (I-591) continues at a heated pace. Signatures are still needed on petitions, and donations are still needed to maintain the campaign. Links to request petitions, and to make donations, are available at http://wagunrights.org/
BILL STATUS, BILL POSITION and PUBLIC HEARING SECTIONS DELETED UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE RESUMES ACTION.
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Upcoming WAC gun show(s):
Monroe 14-15 September
Puyallup 12-13 October
“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.”
The Gun Owners Action League, today announced that it would join the Washington Arms Collectors, I Love Guns & Coffee, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership and the Second Amendment Foundation as sponsors of the January 15th I-594: Rally for Your Rights at 9:00 a.m. at the Capitol in Olympia.
1-800-562-6000. Let them know your views!