Washington: House Committee to Hear Restrictive Anti-Gun Legislation Next Week

On Thursday, February 2, at 1:30pm, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear House Bill 1387 and House Bill 1122.  NRA members and Second Amendment supporters are encouraged to attend this hearing and voice their opposition to these radical anti-gun bills.

House Bill 1387 would impose a registration-licensing system for “assault weapons” and “large-capacity magazines” (LCM). Every person who possesses, transports, manufactures, purchases or sells an “assault weapon” or LCM must have an annual state-issued license, with an updated license required every time there is a change in possession of the gun or LCM.  The licensing requirement has a delay period (until 2020) before it applies to persons who currently possess such items, but these persons would be prohibited from selling or transferring the gun or LCM to anyone other than a licensed dealer, a gunsmith, or to law enforcement for permanent relinquishment.  HB 1387 also mandates that relinquished guns and LCMs “must be destroyed.”  (House Bill 1387 doesn’t stop there either.  For more information about HB 1387 and other anti-gun bills in the Washington Legislature, refer to our previous NRA-ILA alert.)

House Bill 1122 is vaguely written legislation that could potentially subject law-abiding gun owners to gross misdemeanor penalties, including huge fees and potential imprisonment, if they don’t lock their firearms up and render them useless for any self-defense scenario. 

This proposal has little to do with making children safer and everything to do with making it safer to be a criminal.  HB 1122 would be virtually unenforceable and in addition to these concerns, there are also safety concerns to consider.  The mandatory use of a locking device can greatly diminish reaction times under duress.  Being forced to fumble with a lock and key in a self-defense situation could mean the difference between life and death.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that all households are different and have different needs.  This reckless bill encompasses every home.  This one-size fits all approach is a solution to a non-existent problem and is both over-reaching and not based on fact.

If you are able, please attend this hearing and voice your opposition to House Bill 1387 and House Bill 1122.  Also, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to oppose these bill when they come up for a vote.