GOAL POST 97-15
Final 1997 Legislative Summary 24 May 1997
LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS ON A DISAPPOINTING NOTE

"WE CARE" TO FIGHT HANDGUN INITIATIVE

For the first time in 40 years, the long legislative session ended on schedule.. but with dispappointing results for Washington's gun owners. Of nearly a dozen pro-gun bills filed at the beginning of the session, only two cleared all the hurdles and made it to the finish line: Senate Bill 5326 (repeals open carry prohibition) and Senate Joint Memorial 8009 (promotes Eddie Eagle gun safety program). The remaining bills either died along the way or in the "meltdown" of the Senate Law & Justice Committee at the final committee cut-off. (See warning on open carry on reverse.)

On a slightly more positive note, we were successful in stopping several bills that would have "encouraged" (through the threat of criminal prosecution) the use of trigger locks or other safe storage devices -- thus limiting your ability to defend your home in the event of burglary or home invasion. The sponsor of House Bill 2078, Rep. Ida Ballasiotes (R-Mercer Island), vowed the bill would be reintroduced next year, where it would be heard in her Corrections & Criminal Justice Committee. Once again, my thanks to all of you who called your elected officials to register your opposition to this bill. Our strength is in our grassroots, YOU the Washington gun owner.

Many thanks, as well, to those elected officials who stood their ground in Olympia in defense of our rights. I'm reluctant to name names, because any such list would be incomplete and unfairly omit many who fought the good fight behind the closed doors of a caucus room. Without question, Representative Larry Sheahan (R-Rosalia) was first among equals there. As chair of the House Law & Justice Committee, he led the fight against HB 2078, at one point using the authority of his chairmanship to block a vote on the bill despite intense pressure not only from anti-gun liberal Democrats but also from a few of his own Republican caucus members. Larry took a lot of criticism from the media for his principled stand, and we all need to remember that when he looks to us for help with his political aspirations.

Attention must also be devoted to those individual politicians who would deny your right to protect your families and your homes. Rep. Jeri Costa (D-Marysville) continued to show her disregard for your rights by leading the effort to pass HB 2078, by attempting to "poison" pro-gun bills with negative amendments, and by attempting to gut SJM 8009 by including the virulently anti-gun STAR program (Straight Talk About Risks by HCI's Center to Prevent Handgun Violence) and equating it to the non-judgmental (and multi-award winning) Eddie Eagle program. Right there next to her was fellow Snohomish County liberal Republican Rep. Renee Radcliff (R-Mukilteo), one of only three House Republicans (along with Representatives Ida Ballasiotes and Maryann Mitchell) to vote against SB 5326 (repeal of open carry prohibition).

"WE CARE" TO FIGHT INITIATIVE 676: Leading firearms rights groups in Washington have joined together to fight Initiative 676, the so-called Handgun Safety Act (more accurately the Handgun Owner Licensing and Confiscation Act). "Washington Citizens Against Regulatory Excess" (WE CARE), a registered political action committee, has been formed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), the Washington Arms Collectors (WAC), the Washington State Rifle & Pistol Association (WSR&PA;) and the Gun Owners Action League of Washington (GOAL), to lead the fight against this deceptive gun owner registration scheme.

For further information about the initiative and how YOU can join the fight, call (206) 454-4915.

ALL INDIVIDUALS ON THE "GOAL POST" ALERT LIST WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE MESSAGES ABOUT I-676 AND RELATED ISSUES.


1997 legislative bill summary follows:

Bill # Subject Status HB 1050 CPL/dealer licensing reform DIED IN HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS HB 1140 Trigger locks/penalties DIED IN HOUSE LAW & JUSTICE HB 1175 Lifetime CPL DIED IN HOUSE LAW & JUSTICE HB 1307 Recognize out-of-state CPLs REFILED AS HB 1408 HB 1408 Recognize out-of-state CPLs DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE HB 1541 Range liability protection DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE HB 1716 Eliminate state pistol registry DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE HB 1978 WSP firearms destruction WITHDRAWN BY STATE PATROL HB 2078 Trigger locks/penalties DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE SB 5129 Trigger locks/penalties DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE SB 5326 Repeals open carry prohibition PASSED HOUSE; SIGNED BY GOV! SB 5477 Lifetime CPL DIED IN SENATE WAYS & MEANS SB 5814 Trigger locks/penalties DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE SB 5862 Range liability protection DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE SB 6021 Instructor liability protection DIED IN SENATE LAW & JUSTICE SJM 8009 Eddie Eagle gun safety program PASSED HOUSE; SENT TO SPI
WARNING ABOUT "OPEN CARRY": Three years ago, the Legislature passed a statewide prohibition on the open carry of any firearm, with several "legitimate" exceptions. Counties and cities were permitted to "opt out" of the prohibition, and many did so, creating a patchwork quilt of where open carry was legal and where it was prohibited. This year the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a repeal of that open carry prohibition. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN STRAP A PISTOL ON YOUR HIP, OR SLING A RIFLE ON YOUR SHOULDER, AND GO WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN SEATTLE WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST! RCW 9.41.270 still prohibits carrying of any weapon "in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons." Unlike the broad (and unconstitutional) prohibition under "open carry," this leaves a great deal of discretion to a police officer responding to a "man with a gun" call. Good judgment should be exercised if you choose to carry a firearm in the open.

GET THE WORD OUT: As the 1997 legislative session winds to a close publication of the Goal Post will shift to an "as required" schedule. Additional issues will be driven by developments with Initiative 676. The GOAL alert list will be maintained to keep readers informed of initiative-related events and activities. All current subscribers will remain on the list. New / additional subscribers should send a message to "jwaldron@halcyon.com". Please pass Goal Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights. Better yet, make a couple of copies of this and leave them with your local gun shop(s). Or have them call me and ask to be placed on the fax distribution list. I can be reached at the Bellevue office of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, where I have assumed the duties of Washington Field Representative. The office telephone number is (206) 454-4915. I can also at be reached by e-mail at "jwaldron@halcyon.com".

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men."

Article 1, Section 24
Constitution of the State of Washington

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NEXT WAC GUN SHOW, PUYALLUP FAIRGROUNDS, 31 MAY-1 JUNE 1997
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"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men."

Article 1, Section 24
Constitution of the State of Washington