On Thursday, January 25th at 1:30PM, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear several sweeping gun control bills. NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters are strongly encouraged to attend the committee hearing to voice your opposition to these anti-gun bills! Additionally, please use the “Take Action” button to contact members of the House Judiciary committee and urge them to oppose these anti-gun bills.
Testimony will be limited during the hearing, so please arrive early to sign in to testify in addition to meeting directly with your legislators while at the Capitol. The committee hearing will be at the John L. O’Brien building in Hearing Room A. The committee has scheduled the following bills for a public hearing:
House Bill 1387, sponsored by Representative Laurie Jinkins (D-27), would impose a registration-licensing system on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity ammunition magazines that bill proponents label as “assault weapons” and “large-capacity magazines” (LCM). Every person who possesses, transports, manufactures, purchases or sells a so-called “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 magazine. 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 any gun or magazine designated by this bill to anyone other than a licensed dealer, a gunsmith, or to law enforcement for permanent relinquishment. HB 1387 also mandates that relinquished guns and magazines “must be destroyed.”
House Bill 2422, sponsored by Representative Strom Peterson (D-21), is yet another bill targeting so-called “Large Capacity Magazines” and would prohibit the possession of ammunition magazines holding ten or more rounds, with limited exceptions. Those allowed to continue possession of “Large Capacity Magazines” within the limited exceptions would be required to lock up their ammunition magazine or face criminal charges.
House Bill 2666, sponsored by Representative Nicole Macri (D-43) would abolish Washington’s decades old state firearm preemption statute. The state preemption statute, which passed in 1983, helps keep firearm and ammunition laws consistent throughout Washington by establishing that the State Legislature has full authority to regulate and create laws pertaining to firearms and ammunition. These statutes help prevent a confusing patchwork of gun control laws which make it difficult for gun owners to ensure that they are following the law. Further, Second Amendment rights are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of where they reside. State preemption statutes help protect against the infringement of rights of citizens who live in localities controlled by anti-gun elected officials.
House Bill 2293, sponsored by Representative Ruth Kagi (D-32) prohibits law-abiding individuals from being able to carry a firearm for self-defense at child day care centers and early learning facilities, with limited exceptions. Under this legislation, child care centers would also be required to post "GUN-FREE ZONE" signs on the premises.
Also being heard is House Bill 2519, sponsored by Representative John Lovick (D-44), which would require law enforcement agencies, prior to returning a surrendered or impounded concealed pistol license, to verify licensee’s eligibility to possess firearms and a CPL license.
Again, please use the “Take Action” button to contact members of the House Judiciary committee and urge them to oppose these anti-gun bills.
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