Critical Action is Needed to Stop Firearms Discharge Legislation in Washington State.

[Desertdog]

Critical Action is Needed to Stop Firearms Discharge Legislation in Washington State!
http://www.nraila.org/CurrentLegislation/Read.aspx?ITNDrop=1917-L


Your phone calls and emails are urgently needed to stop a bill prohibiting the discharge of firearms on Island County from becoming law. Sponsored by Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10), Senate Bill 6598 would effectively ban shooting on all county-owned land in Island County.



SB 6598 is now before the State Legislature because there is not enough support in Island County to restrict shooting. Only a few residents are against shooting on Island County. Meetings and hearings have been held in the county and discussions are still taking place to determine what would be an appropriate local action, if any is necessary.



Existing law already gives authority to cities and counties to restrict the discharge of firearms. Representing Island County, Senator Haugen is apparently frustrated by the lack of support for her anti-shooting agenda within her own district. Her asking the State Legislature to weigh in on a local issue is an attempt to make an end-run around the Island County government process.



Even if you do not live in Island County, SB 6598 directly affects you because it is unnecessary, inappropriate and would create a horrible precedent!



It is an abuse of the state legislative process and your county could be next!



SB 6598 is currently pending a vote in the Senate Rules Committee. It is vital that you immediately send an email to and/or call the members of the Senate Rules Committee (listed below). Please respectfully ask them to oppose SB 6598! Be sure to contact your State Senator as well! To reach members of the State Senate please call at (800) 562-6000.



It is especially important, if you live in Island County to communicate with your State Senator, Mary Margaret Haugen, and politely, but firmly, express your displeasure with her introduction of this legislation!



For the sake of the future of shooting sports throughout Washington State, contact State Senators immediately!









Contact information for the Senate Rules Committee is as follows:



Senator Brad Owen, Chairman

D-Lieutenant Governor

Phone: (360) 786-7700

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-29) Senator Rosa Franklin, Vice Chairman

Phone: (360) 786-7656

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-16) Senator Mike Hewitt

Phone: (360) 786-7630

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-3) Senator Lisa Brown

Phone: (360) 786-7604

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-19) Senator Mark Doumit

Phone: (360) 786-7636

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-30) Senator Tracey Eide

Phone: (360) 786-7658

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-48) Senator Luke Esser

Phone: (360) 786-7694

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-45) Senator Bill Finkbeiner

Phone: (360) 786-7672

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-22) Senator Karen Fraser

Phone: (360) 786-7642

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-10) Senator Mary Margaret Haugen

Phone: (360) 786-7618

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-15) Senator Jim Honeyford

Phone: (360) 786-7684

E-mail



(R-47) Senator Stephen Johnson

Phone: (360) 786-7692

E-mail



(D-37) Senator Adam Kline

Phone: (360) 786-7688

E-mail: [email protected]



(D-36) Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles

Phone: (360) 786-7670

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-12) Senator Linda Evans Parlette

Phone: (360) 786-7622

E-mail



(D-27) Senator Debbie Regala

Phone: (360) 786-7652

E-mail



(D-40)Senator Harriet Spanel

Phone: (360) 786-7678

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-39) Senator Val Stevens

Phone: (360) 786-7676
E-mail



(D-43) Senator Pat Thibaudeau

Phone: (360) 786-7628

E-mail: [email protected]



(R-18) Senator Joseph Zarelli

Phone: (360) 786-7634

E-mail

Please Make This Call Today!

To find further contact information please use the "Write Your Representative" feature found at www.NRAILA.org.

 

[Langenator]

You know, it'd be nice if the NRA-ILA would at least do their homework WRT gun laws...

The bill isn't in the legislature because there isn't support for any such law in Island County...it's there because WA has state pre-emption of any local firearms laws. Which is why, despite the Hammer and Sickle folks who run Seattle, you can still buy guns there.

Edit: I stand corrected: Localities can restrict discarge of firearms for safety reasons, under RCW. Info from WSRPA

RCW 9.41.300

(2) Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and
ordinances:

(a) Restricting the discharge of firearms in any portion of their
respective jurisdictions where there is a reasonable likelihood that
humans, domestic animals, or property will be jeopardized. Such laws and
ordinances shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by
Article I, section 24 of the state Constitution to bear arms in defense
of self or others;

GOAL Post 2006-4

 

[acdodd]

There is no shooting allowed in King county.
That law has been on the books for several years now.
It is technically illegal to discharge a firearm in self defence but that has never been prosecuted.
So the precedent has already been established and Island county will most likely implement that law.
AC

 

[Langenator]

You're missing the point...county residents apparently DON'T want the law, the the county council (or commission, or whatever they call it) isn't much interested.

But the state Senator who represents Island County (and some of her friends) ARE interested...thus why the proposed law is in Olympia, not Island County.