2nd Amendment Rights and Our State

Recieved this email today from Senator Pam Roach:

May 2, 2013

Dear 2^nd Amendment Supporter,

As we are wind up the 2013 Regular Session, I wanted to share with you at least a partial summary of bills in which I believe you and your group members may have interest. In a few days I will send along a complete review and the information will be posted on the Range Operators Coalition web site. I feel like I should apologize for being behind for getting this out, but I hope you understand the session is a very busy time. I appreciate the efforts everyone is making and want to work to pull together a more final summary as soon as possible. If you care to send this article to friends and organization members, that would be great. I look forward to communicating again soon.

Sincerely,

Pam Roach, NRA Life Member

State Senator

(transmitted by Charlie Kirry)

2nd Amendment Legislation Post Session

Senator Pam Roach interviewed by KOMO-TV’s Elisa Jaffe at the Legislative Shootout at Littlerock April 4.

Courtesy legislative staff.

Thank you so much for all you are doing to keep the 2^nd Amendment alive in Washington State. Pro-freedom legislators like myself need your backup to win these battles. Please continue emails, hotlines, and phone calls as needed.

If you can believe it, Governor Inslee wants to take up gun rights, again, in the May 13 Special Session. As a committed, “Ceasefire” type guy, our Governor will not stop and neither must we.

Passing or defeating legislation makes up the most important part of my work. But, I have also been working to build the positive profile of shooting sports. This year I hosted the 2013 Legislative Shootout at Littlerock (Evergreen Sportsmen’s Club), formed a legislative sportsmen’s caucus for pro sportsmen legislators, and I also put together a statewide sportsmen group to advise legislators on needed actions. The Washington State Range Operators Coalition is a statewide coalition that will be working on a variety of our issues.

The following is a brief recap of how we are faring this year:

All gun control bills were stopped this session

House Bill 1588

(Universal background checks for firearms transfers)

House Bill 1588 (Requiring universal background checks for firearms transfers) dramatically failed to pass the House. For a full day, the House suspended a crowded schedule of its other floor action while high-pressure arm twisting came from House Democratic leadership, the Governor, and even former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. 

Despite a 54-44 Democrat majority in the House, not enough support could be garnered to pass HB 1588, which would have required background checks on all private gun transfers. National Rifle Association lobbyist, Brian Judy, was instrumental in defeating HB 1588. A floor vote was not taken, theoretically killing the bill. But, Governor Inslee has made HB 1588 a “special order of consideration” for the May 13 Special Session. He has called for a revival of his gun control agenda that didn’t pass during the regular session.

If HB 1588 makes it out of the House during a special session, the bill must then pass in the Senate. Enough votes for passage do exist in the Senate.  But, the cobbled majority of 2 Democrats and 23 Republicans that form the Majority Coalition Caucus has pledged to keep this issue and other sensitive issues out of consideration as a condition of the coalition. We must work our issue up until the final gavel. Coalitions can break!

Senate Bill 5737

(Banning the sale of certain weapons)

The Senate saw other gun control bills introduced this session. Those bills were referred to the Senate Law & Justice Committee where they died in committee. I serve on the Law & Justice Committee and was glad to be in the majority!  Senator Adam Kline (D-Seattle) sponsored Senate Bill 5737 (Referring to banning the sale of assault weapons). Senator Kline would be chairman of the Law & Justice Committee if his party held the majority in the Senate.

We are fortunate that with the Majority Coalition, Republican Senator Mike Padden serves as chair of the Law and Justice Committee.  Senator Padden is steadfast in his protection of Constitutional liberties. The difference between Senators Padden and Kline could not be more extreme in how they would lead this committee. The committee chair has great authority in deciding the fate of a bill. The chair can kill a bill by simply not permitting it to be heard. Senator Kline’s bill died in committee.

We are really only one vote away from a bill like Kline’s making it out of the Senate. Kline’s SB 5737, included provisions to allow a sheriff access to your home at any time.  No notification or warrant would be required. Ignoring other Constitutional rights, Kline would allow government entry on private property to search for firearms. In my mind such entry would violate the 4^th Amendment in order to destroy the 2^nd Amendment.

Pro-gun control groups promise initiative

HB 1588 and SB 5737, however, are not the end game. We can expect the Governor to use his power to rally support for an initiative effort that was recently announced. A well-funded and nationally-supported group has promised to gather signatures for an initiative to force universal background checks and yet unseen measures

To be clear, with universal background checks on all private transfers (example: father to son), you would be required to complete a government application, pay a fee, then wait for the government’s permission before conveying any firearm. The added concern about these checks is that the records become a de facto road map to your firearms if, at a later date, when a future legislature might prohibit use or possession of your firearms.

“Eddie Eagle” Warns Kids

Democrat Senator Maralyn Chase introduced the Eddie Eagle program by way of a Senate resolution. “Eddie Eagle” is a cartoon character appearing in comic books and videos to teach kids to “stop,” “don’t touch,” “leave the area,” and “tell and adult,” upon finding a firearm.

It is unbelievable that there were senators who voted “no” on this children’s firearm safety program that will help save lives. Those who voted “no” to children’s safety were Democrat Senators  Andy Billig (3^rd District), Jeannie Darneille (27^th District), David Frockt (46^th District), Bob Hasegawa (11^th District), Adam Kline (37^th District), Ed Murray (43^rd District), Kevin Ranker (40^th District), and Christine Rolfes (23^rd District).

Legislators Compete in Marksmanship

On April 4, legislators turned out for the “Legislative Shootout at Littlerock,” a range competition day. More than 60 legislators and staff participated at the event held at the Evergreen Sportsmen’s Club. I resurrected this great event following a 10-year hiatus. This annual event had a solid run through the 1990s. The purpose of the event was to show a positive side of firearms ownership.

The event was covered by Q-13 and KOMO-TV, plus great articles appeared in the print media across the state. Sponsors included the NRA and the National Foundation of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. Joining legislators were shooters Lt. Gov. Brad Owen (D) and Secretary of State Kim Wyman (R).

Again, thank you for your support of our 2^nd Amendment rights. Together, we will work to ensure these rights endure the challenges we continue to face. Thank you for keeping in touch.

Senator Pam Roach (R-Auburn) with an AR-15 at the Legislative Shootout at Littlerock April 4.

Photo courtesy of KOMO-TV