So you all have probably seen the news about AGR dropping their "assault weapon" initiative. They need to get about 260k signatures before July 6.
The initiative does many horrible things.
Here's AGR's own executive summary:
Here's the actual text:
http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/420201831446PM_364.docx
Something they didn't mention in their summary is that 18-20 year olds will not be able to publicly carry almost anything if this initiative becomes law.
The good news, we can win this fight. On 594 we were outspent 10-1 and still took it from polling at 72% to passing at 59%. The polling on this is weaker, a mere 65% and the SurveyMonkey Poll used for that was suspect as it was Seattle and Portland heavy.
There are several groups gearing up to fight including CCRKBA, FPC, etc. I have an inquiry out to the NRA to see what they're willing to do. If you are members you may want to send them this article and remind them what they did here before:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/oct/13/nra-enters-fight-against-i-676-handgun-control/
The initiative does many horrible things.
Here's AGR's own executive summary:
Raise the minimum purchase age to 21 for all semi-automatic weapons.
* In Washington, it is currently easier to buy an assault weapon than it is to purchase a handgun because assault weapons are treated the same as hunting rifles. This must change.
Create an Enhanced Background Check at the time of purchase including:
* A local law enforcement check identical to the one we currently require for handguns.
* Requiring the purchaser show that they have completed a safety training course within the last five years that includes basic safety and safe storage rules, safe handling, and an overview of state and federal firearms laws.
Dangerous Access Prevention.
* Holds gun owners responsible if a child or other prohibited person accesses and uses an unsafely stored firearm to harm themselves or another person.
Ensure continued eligibility to possess or purchase an assault weapon.
* Requires the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) and the appropriate law enforcement agencies to work together to develop a process to ensure that purchasers continue to be eligible to possess a firearm.
Requireinformed consent at the point of purchase about the inherent risks associated with the presence of a firearm in the home.
* Requires the notification at the point of sale that owning a firearm increases one’s risk for injury, death by suicide, domestic violence and homicide.
Establish a waiting period up to 10 days for the purchase of an assault weapon.
Here's the actual text:
http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/420201831446PM_364.docx
Something they didn't mention in their summary is that 18-20 year olds will not be able to publicly carry almost anything if this initiative becomes law.
(2) Unless an exception under RCW 9.41.042, 9.41.050, or 9.41.060 applies, a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a pistol only:
(((1))) (a) In the person’s place of abode;
(((2))) (b) At the person’s fixed place of business; or
(((3))) (c) On real property under his or her control.
(3) Except in the places and situations identified in RCW 9.41.042(1)–(9) and RCW 9.41.060(1)-(10), a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a semiautomatic assault rifle only:
(a) In the person’s place of abode;
(b) At the person’s fixed place of business;
(c) On real property under his or her control; or
(d) For the specific purpose of (i) moving to a new place of abode; (ii) traveling between the person’s place of abode and real property under his or her control; or (iii) selling or transferring the firearm in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; provided that in all of these situations the semiautomatic assault rifle is unloaded and either in secure gun storage or secured with a trigger lock or similar device that is designed to prevent the unauthorized use or discharge of the firearm.
The good news, we can win this fight. On 594 we were outspent 10-1 and still took it from polling at 72% to passing at 59%. The polling on this is weaker, a mere 65% and the SurveyMonkey Poll used for that was suspect as it was Seattle and Portland heavy.
There are several groups gearing up to fight including CCRKBA, FPC, etc. I have an inquiry out to the NRA to see what they're willing to do. If you are members you may want to send them this article and remind them what they did here before:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/oct/13/nra-enters-fight-against-i-676-handgun-control/
“We will spend whatever it takes to defeat this attack on personal freedom,” Metaksa said. “The battle has certainly shifted to the states, and our members want us to be there fighting the fight.”
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