Gun Owners Action League of Washington

Tag: i-594

  • 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 2014-3

    GOAL Post                                                                                             2014-3
    Legislative Update from Olympia                                                               23 January 2014

    PUBLIC HEARINGS ON INITIATIVES

    I-594 CERTIFIED BY SOS; I-591 NEXT

    FIREARMS ON THE CAPITOL CAMPUS

    FORMAT CHANGE

    NEW BILL(S) FILED

    ADDITIONAL  PUBLIC HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

    OPPOSE HB 2459/SB 6039

    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 turn out as possible 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.

    (And just before I sent this, 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.)

    The Secretary of State announced on Wednesday that the count of signatures for I-=594 was completed, and the initiative has sufficient signatures to move forward.  The count on I-591 is underway as you read this.

    And here is where I alienate some of you on the list.  Carry is legal on the Capitol Campus.  But both committee chairs have asked that no one OPEN carry in deference to the victims the other side is expected to bring in.  I know, and for the most part agree with, the arguments for open carry.  But occasionally discretion is the better part of valor.  This is NOT the time to push the issue.  In fact, the most likely reaction to such activity is a change in the law banning ALL firearms on the Campus.  That does no one any good.  Please be discrete.

    I’ve merged the “Bill Status” and “GOAL Position” segments to make for easier linking of the two.  The GOAL position on a given bill will appear immediately below the bill information.

    One new firearm-related bill was filed this week.  SB 6245, by Sen. Brian Dansel (R-7) makes technical fixes to the existing law requiring surrender of a CPL held by anyone convicted of certain offenses.

    A public hearing will be conducted on SB 6199, a bill restricting the use of incendiary or tracer ammunition and incendiary devices.

    I have taken a position to oppose HB 2459 and SB 6039, bills dealing with hunter education training.  I support the intent of hunter education training.  I was first certified by the State of California as a Hunter Safety instructor in 1973.  Hunter education training was developed by the NRA in the 1930s.  Hunter Ed instruction is currently conducted by volunteer instructors.  But this bill allows the Department of Fish and Wildlife to set a registration fee “of not more than $20” to take the course.  Revenues collected shall be used to reimburse volunteer instructors for out-of-pocket expenses and other purposes.  I oppose the bills as written because I believe $20 is too high and will evolve into a cash cow for DFW.  Instructors deserve to be reimbursed, but a $20 fee for the course may act as a bar to certifying young hunters.

    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 Evaluating
    HB 2324 Use of Force. Shea (R-4) H. Jud Support
    HB 2459 Ensuring Hunter Safety Blake (D-19) H. Agricultural & Natural Resources Oppose as written.
    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 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
    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 Oppose as written
    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 Evaluating
    SB 6245 Surrender of CPL. Dansel (R-7)
    Hargrove (D-24)    		 S. L&J Evaluating
    SB 6281 Ensuring an effective hunter education program Roach (R-31)
    Pedersen (D-43)    		 S. Natural Resources & Parks Evaluating

    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:

    28 January
    1:30 p.m.

    		 I-591/I-594 House Judiciary Committee House Hearing Room A
    John L. O’Brien Bldg (JLOB)
    28 January
    1:30 p.m.    		 SB 6199 Senate Natural Resources & Parks Committee Senate Hearing Room 1
    John A. Cherberg Bldg (JAC)
    29 January
    1:30 p.m.    		 I-591/I-594 Senate Law & Justice Committee Senate Hearing Room 1
    John A. Cherberg Bldg (JAC)

    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

  • GOAL Post 2013 – UPDATE 1

    GOAL Post                                                                              2013-UPDATE 1
    Legislative Update from Olympia                                                26 July 2013

    NO ACTION IN D.C.

    ZIMMERMAN VERDICT REACTION

    STAND-YOUR-GROUND UNDER ATTACK

    AUGUST 6 PRIMARY ELECTION

    I-591 ADVANCES

    SAF SUES SEATTLE

    CPL TRAINING REQUIREMENT?

    There has been no action on S. 649 or any other anti-gun legislation on Capitol Hill since the last GOAL Post.  Congress begins its 30-day summer recess in a week (in other words, a vacation, where many members fly around the world — at taxpayer expense — on “fact-finding” trips).  Some meetings may be held during the recess.

    The acquittal of George Zimmerman in the February 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin has generated outrage from the left.  From the President and Attorney General on down, “Trayvon” has become the latest god in the pantheon of the left, with generally — but not entirely — non-violent rallies all across the country.  By finding George Zimmerman not guilty by reason of self defense, the jury in effect indicted Martin for aggravated assault — thus justifying Zimmerman’s use of lethal force..  But the mainstream media has yet to make that connection.  Just as they haven’t bothered to delve into Trayvon’s school disciplinary record, or his diversion into a non-criminal program when he was allegedly found in possession of burglary tools and stolen jewelry.

    (Retired police officer, gun writer, frequent “expert witness” on gun issues — and SAF board member — Massad Ayoob has written a series of blogs analyzing the Zimmerman case.  They’re published in Backwoods Home magazine.  Next update I’ll try to include links to all of his coverage of the issue.)

    Some vocal African-American leaders (or those who claim to speak for African-Americans) immediately started a crusade against stand-your-ground laws, claiming they are racist (especially interesting, given that in Florida at least, African-American defendants use stand-your-ground as a defense much more frequently than do whites; proportionately, and they have a higher acquittal rate with that defense).  President Obama and Attorney General Holder jumped on the “pile-on-stand-your-ground” bandwagon as well, and the Congressional Black Caucus (their name, not mine) has started hearings about this evil, evil law. .(Meanwhile totally ignoring the fact that Zimmerman did NOT invoke stand-your-ground, nor did the prosecutor raise it at trial.)

    The Black Congressional Caucus also conveniently ignores the fact that stand-your-ground is STATE LAW, not federal.  Congress doesn’t write — or repeal — state law.  I guess they pick and choose “facts” to suit their current agenda.

    Just as President Obama conveniently forgot the fact that when he was a state Senator in Illinois, in 2004, he signed on as a co-sponsor to SB 2386, an EXPANSION of Illinois’ stand-your-ground law.  And the Illinois Senate passed it UNANIMOUSLY, while the House had two dissenting votes of 116 Representatives voting.  I guess President Obama was “FOR it before he was AGAINST it” (where have I heard that before?).

    August 6th is primary day in Washington.  As an off-year election, most activity centers on local races, but there are a couple of races that need our attention.  Representative Jan Angel (R) is running against appointed Senator Nathan Schlicher (D) in the 26th District.  At the county level, 9th District King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn (R) has been solid on the gun issue since he was first elected several years ago.  (Please note that those names will only appear on ballots of those who reside in the 26th Legislative District or District 9, King County.

    Signature gathering for Initiative 591 (I-591) is progressing well.  More than 50,000 signatures have been gathered to date, of the 246,000 required before January 4, 2014.  I-591 simply prohibits firearm confiscation without due process, and prohibits the state from adopting a background check standard more stringent than the current federal standard (as I-594 will do, if passed).  Additional information about I-591, to include requests for blank petitions,  may be obtained at http://protectourgunrights.net/  Blank petitions may also be found at WAC gun shows in Puyallup and Monroe.  Protect Our Gun Rights also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/protectourgunrights.

    Last week the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against the City of Seattle, alleging that the City failed to turn over complete records requested under state public disclosure law.  The records involved the gun buyback program conducted by Seattle last January.  In the suit, SAF claims the city withheld some documentation and only learned of its existence when it was quoted in an on-line Seattle P-I article and severely redacted (blacked out sections of) others.  The original document request was fulfilled when Seattle turned over a disk containing selected documents to SAF, then charging them 10 cents per “page” for the disc.  The documents sought include internal communications between city employees and with outside gun control advocates and/or organizations.

    A western Washington gun club has distributed a flyer offering classes to qualify an individual to apply for a concealed carry license issued by the State of Utah.  There are three states that issue licenses to non-residents that offer the greatest variety of reciprocal carry states:  Arizona, Florida and Utah.  Of those, Utah is the only one that requires a state-unique training class.  The training requirements for Arizona and Florida may be satisfied with a variety of courses or by proof of military service.  My principal reason in bringing this up is the notice at the bottom of the flyer: “Washington is moving towards a training requirement for the Washington Concealed Pistol License. Get ahead of the curve by taking this highly respected concealed firearm training. !!!”

    To the best of my knowledge, based on 20 years lobbying on the gun issue in Olympia, that statement is not true.  The last time the legislature attempted to add a training requirement to obtain a CPL was in 1994.  It was defeated.  No bills nor amendments have been offered since to force that issue.  There is no legislation currently under consideration that would require such training.  Studies have demonstrated that there is no difference in “bad” shootings in states that do not have a training requirement versus those that do.

    For the record, I am an NRA-certified firearm safety instructor.  I firmly believe that if an individual chooses to keep a firearm, and especially if he or she chooses to carry one in public, they assume a moral obligation to obtain the best training they can afford.  But I am totally opposed to allowing the state to determine what that training might be.  A test to exercise the fundamental right of self defense is the same as a poll test, and the Supreme Court ruled that unconstitutional decades ago.  (I would add that, in my opinion,  ignorant voters cause far greater harm to society than do ignorant gun owners.)

    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 Posts 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):

    Puyallup                3-4 August

    Monroe                14-15 September

    “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

  • I-591 and I-594 – A note from the proprietors…

    This morning Seattle Gun Rights Examiner Dave Workman wrote of the newly announced pro-rights Initiative 591 and the recently formed and growing coalition of firearms rights organizations emerging in Washington, Protect Our Gun Rights (POGR).

    Founded at an emergency meeting of the Washington Arms Collectors Board of Directors, POGR counts as member organizations WAC, the Gun Owners Action League of Washington, and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. CCRKBA and WAC have each committed a minimum of two hundred thousand dollars to the cause, with GOAL expected to join the effort in the near future.

    POGR is reaching out to individuals and organizations around the state and expects to grow swiftly in response to both the threat to civil rights presented by I-594 and in support of protections afforded civil rights by I-591. Interested parties are urged to contact temporary liaison Thomas McKiddie of the CCRKBA at (425) 454-4911. Contact information will be updated ASAP.

    In a momentary aside, WAC Webmaster Ray Carter observed “POGR was formed and continues to grow in response to  I-594,  sponsored by a clique of Seattle anti-gun elitists, and will oppose that initiative. POGR will instead support I-591 in support of preserving civil rights and a national standard for any necessary background checks.”