Issue Position: Reducing Gun Violence

Issue Position

I started working on the issue of gun violence over a decade ago, lobbying Congress to address what the American Medical Association called "a public health crisis." Fast forward to today and all of us -- including gun owners -- should be appalled at how little elected officials have done to reduce the carnage from gun violence. During the 2018 session, I heard more from constituents about gun safety in emails, phone calls, and at our town hall, than on any other issue.

I arrived in Olympia in September of 2015 and one of the very first bills I prime sponsored was aimed at closing a loophole in our Involuntary Treatment Act, to reduce suicide by gun. It happens so quickly, when people are hurting and a gun is nearby. My dad told us "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." But when you are in that place, you don't think like that. If only a gun wasn't nearby, you might have more time to sleep on it. The world is a different place when you wake up.

That is why I didn't give up, working with interested parties and re-introducing this bill in 2017 in the Senate. That includes the NRA, though they chose not to participate in these meetings, preferring instead to meet me one-on-one in my office. But in truth, they aren't interested in having their "concerns" addressed. They do not want any bill that puts responsibilities on gun owners to pass. Period.

So, despite the efforts of the gun lobby to stall and silence people -- including the Parkland teenagers who lived through immeasurable tragedy -- I am proud that we finally moved gun safety legislation forward after years of obstruction in Olympia.

I am proud that we banned bump stocks. I am proud that I was able to pass legislation limiting access to firearms for perpetrators of domestic violence. This bipartisan bill demonstrated that we can work across the aisle to implement common-sense solutions that keep our communities safe. But we are not done yet.

Earlier this year, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that military-style semi-assault weapons are not protected by the 2nd Amendment. I agree and my hope is that the U.S. Supreme Court will finally, too. I understand that is a long shot, given who is on the Court now, but if enough Courts of Appeal rule in similar fashion, and if a ground-swell of public anger confronts them, the choice may become as obvious to them as it is to the majority of us.

First and foremost, let's pass I-1639 that will raise the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles to 21. It also requires a firearm safety training course and creates an enhanced background check system. All of these things are reasonable, common sense approaches to prevent gun violence.

We also need to ban the sale of military-style, semi-assault weapons and high capacity magazines and follow the military's lead and require the rest to be inventoried and stored in a safe location other than a home. I believe we need to ensure safe storage of all other firearms in our homes to make sure they stay out of the hands of children. I also believe we should require insurance given gun accidents have and continue to sadly happen with some regularity. We should also remove the state preemption on gun laws, allowing cities and counties to decide how to handle access to guns within their own communities. Finally, we should pass my bill to prevent suicide by gun.

I have been and remain a strong advocate for common sense gun legislation and will continue to use my voice to accomplish these goals.

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