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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I have heard from some of you expressing your support for Initiative 591 (Protect Our Gun Rights Act).
As you may know, Initiative 591 and Initiative 594 (Background Check for Gun Sales and Transfers) were heard in the House Judiciary Committee on January 28. As you might expect, the public hearing brought out the arguments and passions for both initiatives. While it was difficult to navigate the John L. O’Brien Building that day, it was great to see so many people engaged in the legislative session. It’s truly what our citizen Legislature is all about.
You can watch the full public hearing here. To find the provisional certification and full language of Initiative 591, click here. To view the provisional certification and full language of Initiative 594, click here. I don’t think either one of these initiatives will move forward in the legislative process this year. It will be up to you to determine their outcomes in the November 2014 general election.
Other gun-related legislation
I am an NRA member, a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and support firearms training. I have supported the two bills below in the past, but they never received public hearings:
- House Bill 2709 (from the 2009-10 legislative sessions) – Washington State Firearms Freedom Act of 2010.
- Senate Bill 6274 (from the 2011-12 legislative sessions) – Exempting a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition manufactured and retained in Washington from federal regulation under the commerce clause of the Constitution of the United States.
In the 2013-14 legislative sessions, I co-sponsored House Bill 1371, which would adopt the Washington State Firearms Freedom Act of 2013 and establish penalties, and co-sponsored House Bill 2020, which would expand economic development and create jobs by increasing the availability of ammunition, firearm parts and accessories in our state. To date, these bills have yet to receive public hearings. If you think they deserve to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee, I encourage you to contact the chair of this committee. You can find contact information here. The cut off for bills to be out of policy committees is February 7.
To find a March 28, 2013, Everett Herald article on House Bill 2020, click here.
Another way to be involved in the legislative process is commenting on a bill. You can do this from the comfort of your own home. There is a feature on the Legislature’s website (www.leg.wa.gov) that gives you the opportunity to comment on legislation. For example, you can click on House Bill 2020, House Bill 1371 or House Bill 1588 (universal background checks for firearm transfers). When you do, you will see the icon below. By clicking on it, you are allowed to share your thoughts on a bill. This information is then forwarded to me and your other two 39th District state lawmakers (assuming you are constituents).
Telephone town hall Thursday, February 6
I will be hosting a telephone town hall meeting with Rep. Elizabeth Scott Thursday, February 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will offer you an opportunity to ask us questions or just listen in on the community conversation. It’s easy to join in – just call, toll-free, 1-800-759-5313. We hope you can join us.
Events at the Capitol
It’s always fun to see people, especially children, lining the hallways and steps of our Capitol. Please know you are always welcome to come visit me in Olympia during the legislative session. For a current list of Capitol Campus activities and events, click here. For information on visiting the Capitol Campus, click here.
In your service,
Dan Kristiansen
