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Washington: Bill to Criminalize All Private Firearms Transfers Goes to House Floor

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Today, House Bill 1588, legislation that could criminalize private sales of firearms and lead to handgun registration, was amended and reported by the House Judiciary Committee by a 7-6 vote.  HB 1588 is now headed to the House Rules Committee before going to the floor of the state House of Representatives. 

 It is imperative that you contact your state Representatives and the members of the House Rules Committee TODAY and urge them to oppose HB 1588. 

Sponsored by state representatives Jamie Pederson (D-43), Mike Hope (R-44) and 36 other state representatives, HB 1588 could criminalize all private sales of firearms. This bill mandates a $20 fee (tax) to conduct a background check.  All private firearm sales would be required to be brokered by licensed gun dealers and it is unlikely that $20 would cover their cost.  A likely outcome is dealers refusing to process these transactions, potentially bringing all legal private firearm sales to a halt.

HB 1588 is unworkable in its current form, as it conflicts with federal law.  Furthermore, if it was able to be implemented as drafted, it would create a database of all privately sold handguns since ALL dealer handgun deliveries are registered with the state.

This bill is nothing more than a regulatory scheme that would create a huge burden for law-abiding citizens, would be unenforceable and would be ignored by criminals anyway. It is truly nothing more than a precursor to Universal Firearm REGISTRATION!

The NRA thanks the following six state Representatives who voted against this attack on our Second Amendment rights. Please contact them and thank them for standing up for your constitutional rights:

 

Representative Jay Rodne (R-5)

(360) 786-7852

[email protected]

 

Representative Steve O'Ban (R-28)

(360) 786-7890

[email protected]

 

Representative Steve Kirby (D-29)

(360) 786-7996

[email protected]

 

Representative Brad Klippert (R-8)

(360) 786-7882

[email protected]

 

Representative Terry Nealey (R-16)

(360) 786-7828

[email protected]

 

Representative Matt Shea (R-4)

(360) 786-7984

[email protected]

 

It is imperative that you contact your state Representatives and  members of the House Rules Committee TODAY and urge them to oppose HB 1588. If one of your Representatives serves on the House Rules Committee, it is especially important for you to contact them, as this committee has the power to prevent this bill from going to the House floor. To find your elected officials and their contact information, please click here. You may also contact your state Representatives by calling the toll-free legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Contact information for the House Rules Committee is provided below:

 

House Rules Committee:

 

Representative Frank Chopp (D-43) Chairman

[email protected]

(360) 786-7920

 

Representative Richard DeBolt (R-20)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7896

 

Representative Cathy Dahlquist (R-31)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7846

 

Representative Susan Fagan (R-9)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7942

 

Representative Tami Green (D-28)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7958

 

Representative Jeff Holy (R-6)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7962

 

Representative Norm Johnson (R-14)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7810

 

Representative Linda Kochmar (R-30)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7898

 

Representative Joel Kretz (R-7)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7988

 

Representative Marko Liias (D-21)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7972

 

Representative Chad Magendanz (R-5)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7876

 

Representative Marcie Maxwell (D-41)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7894

 

Representative Jim Moeller (D-49)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7872

 

Representative Terry Nealey (R-16)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7828

 

Representative Tina Orwall (D-33)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7834

 

Representative Eric Pettigrew (D-37)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7838

 

Representative Chris Reykdal (D-22)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7940

 

Representative Mary Helen Roberts (D-21)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7950

 

Representative Cindy Ryu (D-32)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7880

 

Representative David Sawyer (D-29)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7906

 

Representative Larry Springer (D-45)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7822

 

Representative Pat Sullivan (D-47)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7858

 

Representative Gael Tarleton (D-36)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7860

 

Representative Kevin Van De Wege (D-24)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7916

 

Representative J.T. Wilcox (R-2)

[email protected]

(360) 786-7912

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