Gun Owners Action League of Washington

Tag: background check

  • GOAL Post 2014-4

    GOAL Post                                                                                             2014-4
    Legislative Update from Olympia                                                               3 February 2014

    HEARINGS ON INITIATIVES

    HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL

    I-591 CERTIFIED BY SECRETARY OF STATE

    NEW BILLS FILED

    HBs 2164, 2459 PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE

    CHANGE IN POSITION ON HUNTER ED BILLS

    FRIDAY IS FIRST POLICY CHAMBER CUT-OFF

    Public hearings on the competing gun initiatives were conducted on Tuesday in House Judiciary and Wednesday in Senate Law & Justice.  The House hearing got all the media attention, with former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her former-astronaut husband Mark Kelly leading those testifying.  The overflow crowd of attendees had to be sent to the House chamber.  The crowd on Wednesday was smaller, but still filled more than just the Senate Law & Justice hearing room.

    Testimony in both hearings, especially the House hearing, was very interesting, and points out the difficulty we have in getting the pro-gun message across.  Almost all of the pro-594/anti-591 testimony was very emotional, consisting primarily of victims tales, with a few statistics thrown in.  On our side, most anti-594/pro-591 testimony was fact based, focusing on the difficulties in implementing I-594, it’s near-impossible enforcement, etc.  Calm, cool and logical, just as we’re supposed to be when we choose to carry a defensive firearm.  Unfortunately, emotion tugs at the heartstrings.

    Unfortunately, a few individuals chose to exercise their right to openly carry firearms at the Tuesday event, and they’re the ones who drew the media attention for the pro-591 side.  An interview with a camouflage-clad, AR-15 toting gunman beats a cold recitation of facts any time.  This is the kind of image we have ten months to overcome, or we lose.

    The prevailing attitude in Olympia seems to be that this is an election year, and controversial social issues are best left off the table.  At this point, neither initiative is likely to receive a vote out of either committee.  If the session ends in five weeks without action on either initiative, they both go to the voters in November.  And it’s going to be a long campaign up until election day.

    For those who were not able to make it to the hearings, they’re both available on TVWashington.  Each runs a few minutes under two hours.  The 28 January House Judiciary hearing is at http://tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2014010151   The Senate Law & Justice hearing is here at http://tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2014010154

    Testimony was also heard on HB 1561, by Rep. Brian Blake (D-19), a bill that would open the door to legal possession of short-barreled rifles.  Given the previously-stated attitude about staying away from controversial topics, getting this one voted out of committee is an uphill battle.  I would urge all of you to contact your legislators and ask that HB 1561 receive a vote out of committee and a vote of the full House on the House floor.

    I-591 (pro-gun) was officially certified Friday by the Secretary of State.  Both initiatives will now likely go to a vote of the people in November.

    Three new firearm-related bills were filed last week, bringing the total I am tracking to 45 (if I counted accurately).  This is a record in recent years, but will change significantly at the end of the week with the first policy committee cut-off.

    HB 2551, by Rep. Jason Overstreet (R-42), removes the ability of the governor or other official to restrict the use, possession , sale or transfer of any firearm or ammunition during a declared state of emergency.  Under current law, possession of firearms outside the home, as well as sale/transfer, can be prohibited.  Bills similar to this passed in several states following the gun confiscation policies practiced by New Orleans authorities after Hurricane Katrina.  HB 2664, by Rep. David Taylor (R-15), extends the right of self defense, or defense of others, to those threatened by animal attack, both domestic and/or wild.  SB 6416, by Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-19), is a counterpart bill to HB 2502, and allows immediate delivery of a handgun to full-time commissioned law enforcement officers, just as a holder of a CPL can take immediate delivery.

    HB 2164, by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33), passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote.  The bill requires intervention training for juveniles adjudicated (convicted) of firearm offenses.  HB 2459, by Rep. Brian Blake (D-19) passed out of House Agriculture to House Finance.   SB 6199, by Sen. John Braun (R-20), prohibits incendiary targets or ammunition in certain circumstances.

    As I alluded to in my GOAL Alert last week, I have received several from hunter education instructors asking that we reverse our position on the Hunter Education fee increase bills.  I defer to their perspective on service today as Hunter Ed instructors (my experience goes back 25-35 years, in California).  Effective immediately, the GOAL Position on HB 2459 and SB 6039 is now “SUPPORT.”

    Friday, 7 February, is the first policy chamber cut-off date.  Theoretically, any bills that have not passed out of their original policy committee, are effectively dead for the session.  Except that nothing is truly dead until the session is over.  A vote of the entire Senate or House can “relieve a committee” of consideration of a bill, and move it to the floor for a full chamber vote.  It’s an unusual maneuver, but it does happen occasionally.

    My travels are done for the immediate future, so GOAL Post should be back to its normal Friday evening dissemination at the end of the week.  I’m also trying another format change — placing the GOAL position on a bill on the same line as the bill status.  Theoretically this will make it easier to read.  I expect I’ll get input on that as well!

    Bill #

    Subject

    Sponsor

    Status

    GOAL Position
    HB 1096 Juvi illegal firearm possession Hurst (D-31) H. Rules Concerns
    HB 1147 1st degree juvenile unlawful possession Goodman (D-45) H. Jud Concerns
    HB 1184 Range protection Takko (D-19) H. Jud Support
    HB 1318 CPL renewal notice Taylor (R-15) H. Jud Support
    HB 1371 WA Firearms Freedom Act Taylor (R-15) H.Jud Support
    HB 1561 Short barreled rifles Blake (D-19) H. Jud Support
    SHB 1588 Background checks Pedersen (D-43) H. Rules Oppose
    HB 1676 Mandatory safe storage Kagi (D-32) H. Jud Oppose
    HB 1703 Gun “safety” training and tax Jinkins (D-27) H. Jud Oppose
    HB 1729 Street gangs Warnick (R-13) H. Jud Support
    HB 1788 Firearms/school employees Pike (R-18) H. Jud Support
    SHB 1839 Background checks Goodman (D-45) H. Rules Support
    HB 1840 Firearms/restraining orders Goodman (D-45) H. Rules Oppose
    HB 1908 Firearms on school property Scott (R-39) H. Jud Support
    HB 2020 Firearms-related jobs Shea (R-4) H. Jud Support
    HB 2164 Juvenile firearm possession Orwall (D-33) H. Jud Support
    HB 2324 Use of Force. Shea (R-4) H. Jud Support
    HB 2459 Ensuring Hunter Safety Blake (D-19) H. Agricultural & Natural Resources Support
    HB 2475 Making state law consistent with federal law regarding short-barreled shotguns and
    short-barreled rifles.    		 Overstreet (R-42) H. Jud. Support
    HB 2502 Delivery to Peace Officers. Klippert (R-8) H. Jud Support
    HB 2502 Delivery to Peace Officers. Klippert (R-8) H. Jud Support
    HB 2529 Concerning a sales tax exemption for firearms and firearm ammunition to encourage
    the purchase within the borders of Washington state.    		 Overstreet (R-42) H. Finance. Support
    HB 2551 Protecting the constitutionally guaranteed right to the lawful possession of firearms during an emergency Overstreet (R-42) H. Jud. Support
    HB 2664 Defense against animals Taylor(R-15) H. Jud. Support
    SB 5376 Juvenile illegal firearm possession Kline (D-37) S. W&M Concerns
    SSB 5452 Stalking protection orders Conway (D-29) S. Rules Concerns
    SB 5478 Firearms/mental health court Keiser (D-33) S. L&J Concerns
    SB 5479 Safekeeping of firearms Keiser (D-33) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5485 Mandatory safe storage Kline (D-37) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5604 NRA license plates Hatfield (D-19) S. Trans Neutral
    SB 5625 Background checks Kline (D-37) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5635 Restoration of firearm rights Kline (D-37) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5660 Firearm safety education Chase (D-32) S. K-12 Support
    SB 5710 Mandatory safe storage Kohl-Welles (D-46) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5711 Background checks Kline (D-37) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5737 Ban on sale of “assault weapons” Murray (D-43) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5739 Ban on guns in parks Murray (D-43) S. L&J Oppose
    SB 5831 Prohibits double tax on clay pigeons Rivers (R-18) S. Rules Support
    SB 5956 Short-barreled rifles Hatfield (D-19) S. L&J Support
    SB 6025 Use of Body Armor O’ban (R-28) S. L&J Neutral
    SB 6039 Ensuring Hunter Safety Pearson (R-39) S. Natural Resources & Parks Support
    SB 6066 Restoration of Rights Honeyford (R-15) S. L&J Support
    SB 6198 Protecting Sport Shooting Ranges. Roach (R-31)
    Hargrove
    (D-24)    		 S. L&J Support
    SB 6199 Addressing wildfires caused by incendiary devices. Braun (R-20)
    Hargrove (D-24)    		 S. Nat Resources & Parks Support
    SB 6245 Surrender of CPL. Dansel (R-7)
    Hargrove (D-24)    		 S. L&J Concerns
    SB 6281 Ensuring an effective hunter education program Roach (R-31)
    Pedersen (D-43)    		 S. Rules Evaluating
    SB 6416 Delivery to Peace Officers Hatfield(D-19) S. L&J Support

    Key to abbreviations: S. = Senate, H. = House, Ag/NatRes = Agriculture/Natural Resources, Fin = Finance, Jud = Judiciary, K-12 = Education, L&J = Law & Justice, NatRes = Natural Resources & Parks, Trans = Transportation, W&M = Ways and Means

    HEARING(S) SCHEDULED:

    None

    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                  15-16 February

    Puyallup                 22-23 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 2014 Gun Owners Action League of WA

  • BREAKING: GOAL Alert 1-2014 – CRITICAL HEARING NOTICE I-591, 594

    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.

    You can link directly to your legislators by clicking on “Comment on this initiative” box at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=594&year=2013.

    You can also make positive comments and ask them to support I-591 (pro-gun) by clicking the same box at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=591&year=2013

    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 2013 – SPECIAL 8

    GOAL Post                                                                                              2013-SPECIAL 8
    Legislative Update from Olympia                                                                        5 July 2013

    LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS, BUDGET PASSED

    GOAL POST TO CONTINUE

    INITIATIVE UPDATES

    LAWSUITS FILED CHALLENGING BALLOT DESCRIPTION

    SUPRYNOWICZ ON BACKGROUND CHECKS

    PETITION AVAILABLE — DONATIONS NEEDED

    The legislature adjourned its second special session earlier this week when both chambers adopted what is essentially a balanced budget.  The governor has signed the budget.  No gun bills were considered during either special session.

    Normally I would cease publishing GOAL Post until the start of the regular legislative session next January.  Given the ongoing signature gathering activity with both pro- (I-591) and anti-gun (I-594) initiatives under way, and potential developments in Congress with both S. 649 and the pending UN Arms Trade Treaty, I will publish periodic updates for the remainder of the year, probably on an “as occurs” basis.

    As reported last week, Protect Our Gun Right/Yes on I-591 had its kickoff event at the WAC gun show in Puyallup two weeks ago.  Thousands of signatures were gathered by show attendees and petitions handed out to volunteer signature gatherers.

    Two Washington attorneys, one from Everett and one from Vancouver,  have filed separate lawsuits challenging the ballot title and ballot description assigned to I-594 by the Secretary of State.  Both claim the title and description given fail to correctly address the impact of the extremist anti-gun initiative.  Both were filed in Thurston County and a Thurston County Superior Court judge will determine the final language of the ballot title and description.

    Author and columnist Vin Suprynowicz has published an item of direct impact on the background check issue.  You can find it at  http://www.vinsuprynowicz.com/?p=1751#more-1751

    Blank petitions for I-591 are available at http://wagunrights.com/.  At that web site you can also sign up for e-mail alerts and make contributions direct to Protect Our Gun Rights.  While the founding member organizations of Protect Our Gun Rights have made significant contributions to fund the program already, it is important that individual citizens and organizations or clubs also contribute to demonstrate true grassroots support for the initiative.  During the debate over I-676 back in 1997, more than 90% of the money flowing to the anti-gun effort came from within a 25-mile radius of Seattle — limousine liberals in tasseled loafers as they were characterized in an editorial in the Spokane Spokesman Review.  Contributions to the No on 676 effort came from all over Washington — east and west, rural and urban, a classic grassroots program.

    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                 13-14 July
    Puyallup                3-4 August

    “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