WA State: Proposed "assault weapon" ban legislation

[atomicjoe23]

I sent him and the other 3 yahoos sponsoring this bill an email basically telling them that they should be ashamed of themselves for trying to gain votes for upcoming re-elections by attacking our Constitutional Rights. . .told them that the majority of WA residents were hunters/sportsman and that their plan was probably going to work against them instead of for them. . .told them they didn't have my support and that this state (and nation as a whole) could do without politicians who are more concerned with staying in office for extended periods of time to line their pockets than actually helping our state/nation. . .I said it in a polite and tactful (yet straight forward) way so that I wouldn't come off as just another crazy. . .

. . .doubt that they care or will change their stance, but they should know that there are those of us who see through stupid little ploys like this and are disgusted by them. . .

[PBinWA]

I just received this from Rep. David Taylor's assistant . . .

This email is just to notify you that SB 6396, Assault weapons ban, has received a hearing and will be heard in the Senate Judiciary committee on January 26th at 10am in Senate Hearing Room 1. These are public hearings so you are all welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend but are still interested in watching the committee, they are all aired on www.TVW.org under “Live Programming” then “Live Webcasts.”

Anyone that can make it should show up and show our disgust with this bill - courteously of course. I don't think it will help to go in yelling and screaming but any sort of show of support in numbers would be a good idea.

[atomicjoe23]

Where at. . .in Olympia???

I may be able to make it. . .bit of a drive, but worth it if I can get away.

[PBinWA]

AFAIK, it will be in the Cherberg building.

Visitor Details:

http://www.ga.wa.gov/Visitor/direction.htm

PDF map of the campus:

http://www.ga.wa.gov/images/campus-map.pdf

Not sure if I can go yet.  I have farther to go than you and work to contend with.  I may watch the feed though and see how it goes.

[atomicjoe23]

I won't be able to make it. . .if it wasn't on a Tuesday (or a Thursday) I would drive down. . .

. . .drats!

[atomicjoe23]

Senator Roach got back to me re-iterating what she wrote to Jburke confirming that she went shooting with Senators Kline and Judy, and that she will vote against this bill and any other bill similar to it. . .

. . .Representative Kathy Haigh also wrote back to me today stating that she would not support any such bill if it were to make it to the House. . .she stated she was uncomfortable with any legislation which would either threaten our Second Amendment rights or decrease our ability to defend ourselves from criminals.

Seems like quite a few of WA's Senate and House are on our side. . .so far it sounds like way more than are supporting this bill.

[atomicjoe23]

I also just got a letter from Senator Tim Sheldon today stating that he also would oppose this bill.

[hookr88]

I heard back from my two rep's, Judy Clibborn and Marcie Maxwell. I don't know where Clibborn stands as her reply was fairly neutral. She did say that she didn't think the bill would make it out of committee. Marcie Maxwell said the same thing. I don't know where she stands on gun control although she did say her husband and son are both hunters. So I'm assuming she at least understands the issue.

[PBinWA]

I asked Senator Roach how these things worked and here was her reply:

Arriving early would be a good idea since there will be a large crowd. In the committee room there is a sheet where you can sign on the record in opposition to the bill and you may also sign up to testify on the bill.

So it would be nice if as many people as possible can go and sign the sheet. I'm still seeing if I can skip out on my work.

[grousetracker]

they did the same thing in california in the late 90S ,the brady bill ,it lasted 10yrs and costed ca. over 8billion dollars to buy the guns from the citizens.federal law says the government must pay retail prices for all forfitures. everyone just buy a piece of junk ar 15 that doesnt even fire anymore and sell it for full retail of a new one. how long do you think washington would do that?

[atomicjoe23]

Good to know. . .thanks for passing on the info. . .

. . .one great thing about this thread is that may help us in our voting decisions on the next election.

Being newer to the state I know it was difficult last election and I spent a LONG time online looking at each candidate that I could vote for to see where they stood on all the issues. . .

[atomicjoe23]

I was thinking I couldn't go because I have school at 2 PM (yep back in school because of the current crappy economy and lack of work!!!). . .but I may have to bite the bullet and miss part of class in order to make the trip down. . .if I leave EARLY to get there for the start I may be able to sign in, stay for a bit, and then cut out and still make it back for most of my classes that night. . .

. . .rock and a hard place!!!

[Jburke]

They are not talking about buying them back, just making it illegal to buy.  And for most, illegal to use without going to a gun club or range to shoot.  I personally don't go to any ranges, I prefer to find public land where I can shoot without paying for it.  
On a side note, just to show my support for the second amendment, I just went out today and bought two more guns.  Suck on that Congress!  

[shaneman153D]

PBinWA, thanks for posting the email addresses.  I am one of the types that needs to be spoon fed apparently.  Just got an email back from Pam Roach:

D

ear Shane,
 
Thank you for your support of the Second Amendment.  I completely agree with you and will strongly oppose SB 6396.  In fact, I went shooting with the NRA's Brian Judy and Senator Adam Kline, who is the prime sponsor of this legislation, at the Black Diamond gun club to try and provide him with an education on different types of firearms.
 
SB 6396 has been scheduled for a public hearing next Tuesday, January 26th, at 10AM in the Judiciary Committee.  The committee meets in Senate Hearing Room 1 in the John A. Cherberg building on the capitol campus.
 
If you are able to attend the hearing, this would be a very effective forum to voice your opposition to SB 6396.
 
Thank you again for the email.  Please do not hesitate to contact me again with any further input or if there is anything I can do for you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Pam Roach

[atomicjoe23]

Same email I got from her. . .