How many more Americans must die before Congress will act to protect our communities?
Safe storage of firearms isn't the issue. Background checks already in place are not effective. Gun manufacturers' immunity from liability is no different than an auto manufacturers' immunity from liability where a reckless or drunken driver is involved.
It's long past time that we address the root cause of violence, the individual. It's long past time that we affirm the citizens right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and personal protection within and outside of their home.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America has ruled and yet is being ignored. The citizen's right to keep and bear arms in common use is being openly infringed upon. Criminalizing the lawful gun owning citizens of the United States of America is not the answer.
Although not specifically required by any statute or constitutional provision, you have advised us that it has long been the practice of all legislators, upon assuming office, to take the same oath of office as is prescribed by RCW 43.01.020 for officers of the executive branch of state government. This oath reads, in pertinent part, as follows:
". . . I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of (name of office) to the best of my ability."
I am still bound by my oath long after the end of my active service. To the best of my knowledge, it has not been and will never be rescinded.
I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulation and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
As a sitting member of our legislature, you are bound by your oath. You can do no less than interpret the recent SCOTUS decision as the court intended.
The Supreme Court recently declared a new standard for Second Amendment jurisprudence, "text, history, and tradition." Established by the 2022 landmark decision, NYSRPA v. Bruen, the text, history, and tradition test now govern laws restricting the right to keep and bear arms – invalidating any gun laws that fail to meet its standard. Anything less is unconstitutional and a violation of your oath as a sitting member of the Washington State legislature.
I strongly urge you to turn your attentions to the root cause of violence, the individual, rather than the legal, lawful, gun owners of Washington State.
We must put an end to the radical right and left politics of this nation clogging our legislatures and court system. We need to immediately concern ourselves with the survival of this nation and cease fighting among ourselves that others may set upon us. We can and must do these things now.
HB1240 is a direct infringement on the first amendment rights of the citizens of the state of Washington. I vehemently oppose its authors, its supporters, its purpose, and its intent.
I received a form letter from Sen. Claudia Kauffman.
Rep. Debra Entenman and Rep. Chris Sterns didn't even bother.
