MAG-80 Lessons Learned, Pt. 1

Thou shalt take care when firing slugs from thy Shotgonne with rapidity, lest thy thumb slippeth out of position and ye giveth thyself a Fatte Lippe...

Kenosha

 

Seen at Joe's Place.

Not gonna lie, I am happy that the young man survived, and it sounds like the choir boys he took down deserved it and will only be missed by those with twisted taste in friends or causes, but that doesn't mean I am celebrating. 

Joe's got other links, too, including a statement by the lawyer representing the young shooter. 

You know, if even the New York Times admits that the video of events shows that these were legit self-defense shootings, you gotta wonder why he was so heavily charged... well, no, actually, it doesn't. 

Joe has something for that, too. 

Meanwhile, in comments to this post at Old NFO's blog...

...Not to mention some co-workers who should know better...

Not illegal for a 17 year old to "possess" an AR15 in either WI or IL. 

And if his mom drove him to Kenosha, it was for his job as a lifeguard. He stuck around when he got off duty to help clean up graffiti. He only geared up later when things started to get sporty again -- and gave one or two interviews, in which he emphasized his trauma kit over the rifle. 

LawDog also has a few thoughts, here, and shares another video here. 

UPDATE: The original video was banned by YouTube for terms of service violation,

Here's another one:

WA Legislature Update

Sub-title: Didn't see this coming.

NRA-ILA | Washington: Gun-Free Zone Expansion Fails To Advance 

I really thought They'd Go There.

April 3^rd marked the deadline for all policy committees to advance bills received from the opposite chamber. Having failed to receive a vote in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, Senate Bill 5434 to expand gun-free zones is now likely dead for the year.
Senate Bill 5434, sponsored by Senator Claire Wilson (D-30), would have increased areas where law-abiding citizens are prohibited from possessing firearms, including holders of a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) carrying a handgun for self-defense.  As introduced, it would have included public parks, libraries, and child care facilities.  This bill was amended on the senate floor to remove the provisions that banned firearms in parks and libraries, but it would have still mandated that child care facilities be places where law-abiding citizens are unable to defend themselves and their loved ones against criminals who simply ignore such arbitrary boundaries, and that they post signs indicating their “gun-free zone” status.
There are still several bills relating to Second Amendment issues moving through the legislature, which is set to adjourn April 28^th.  Please stayed tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates in the final weeks of 2019 legislative session.

 

Full details will be available Friday afternoon/evening in the next GOAL Post, unless there's a special.

Meanwhile,  South of the Border, Down Orygun Way:
NRA-ILA | Oregon: Committee To Vote On Omnibus Gun Control Package

Columbia County, OR, Sheriff; a Review of sorts

For those Not From Around Here, the state of Oregon is Shall Issue for concealed handgun licenses for residents, and says that counties "may issue licenses to residents of adjacent states", i.e., California, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington.

Most counties seem to take the position that this means "residents of states adjacent to them", which means that many counties that are inclined to be so generous, only do so for folks directly across the state line; this also means most counties say "there are no states adjacent to us, so we won't do it." For years Clatsop county, at the mouth of the Columbia River, was considered to be the best bet for a non-resident permit, to the point that they were inundated beyond their ability to handle the load (they said), and started restricting issue to residents of Washington counties on the Olympic peninsula; that is, counties that are adjacent (or close to) Clatsop County. (This is a shame, as Clatsop County is a convenient destination for a weekend getaway; Seaside is a rather typical tourist stop which happens to be on a beach that Lewis and Clark frolicked on, but Astoria has some legit attractions, like the Columbia River Maritime Museum.)

Several years ago, the Sheriff of Grant County, which is entirely surrounded by other Oregon counties, and which I am told is the poorest county in Oregon, struck upon a radical plan to raise funds for his department: He would take his concealed handgun licensing show on the road, visiting gun shows in adjacent states.

I believe he did one or two shows in California first, then did one in Washington, and by the third or fourth fun show he had raised enough money to purchase a portable digital fingerprinting system.

Other Sheriff's got into the act; I heard a claim (unsubstantiated) that the efforts were coordinated among the Sheriffs.

So last summer I got a calendar reminder that our OR permits would expire in 6 months. Our latest permits were issued by Columbia County, just west of Portland, east of Clatsop County, and across the Columbia River from Brigid's hometown. I reset the reminder to three months out...

While I had "use or lose" leave time, alas, various things prevented us making plans before the permits expired, so we wound up going one week late.

Here's the deal: Columbia County only issues non-resident permits to residents of Washington. You need your WA CPL. If you go during the week you make an appointment, online, for a half hour block. $60.00.
They process permits on some Saturdays, cash only, on a walk-in basis.

So I made our appointments for 2:00 and 2:30, we got a room in Seaside at the time share for a couple of days, drove over -- in the pouring rain -- showed up at 13:50...
...and we were both done including photographs by 14:00.

Now, a new permit requires fingerprinting, so I'm sure those appointments take longer, but I still regard that as pretty good.

Also, part of the reason we got delayed until after our OR permits expired was that Mrs. Drang had to renew her WA CPL first, and on our way there she realized she had left it sitting on the desk.

Lanie (I think I'm spelling her name correctly) said "no problem" and gave us an email address to send a scan of her CPL to, and said they would process it normally.

So, if you're from Washington State and want to get (or renew) an Oregon carry permit, we endorse the Concealed Handgun Licensing services of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

WA: Court Rules For NRA in Legal Challenge to Ballot Title

As seen in The Clue Meter: WA: NRA Files Legal Challenge Against Misleading Ballot Title for Gun Control Initiative, a legal challenge was filed against a gun-grabbing ballot initiative here in Washington on the grounds that the title was illegally misleading.

This just in:
From NRA-ILA:

Yesterday, in a defeat for Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Initiative 1639 proponents, the Thurston County Superior Court sided in part with the NRA and found that certain parts of the ballot title were deceptive and misleading.  As a result, they ordered amendments to several key provisions of the initiative’s ballot title.  While the ballot title remains inadequate to inform voters of the real effects of the initiative, the outcome of yesterday’s hearings did result in clarifying changes that more accurately describe the sweeping provisions of the initiative’s text. With the title for Initiative 1639 now finalized, proponents of this 22-page initiative will have until July 6th to get 259,622 valid signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot. As previously reported, NRA filed a legal challenge in Thurston County Superior Court contesting the ballot title language as prepared by anti-gun Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson.  Yesterday, the court held a hearing on the legal challenges filed by NRA and other petitioners.   Some of the changes included: Changing “enhanced” background checks to “increased”.  Initiative 1639 would require state background checks on all purchases and transfers of commonly owned semi-automatic firearms. Added “allows fees” to the description.  The proposed initiative would allow the Department of Licensing to charge a $25 purchase fee (GUN TAX) on transfers of semi-automatic rifles. Clarified the description for the storage mandate provision.  If passed, Initiative 1639 would criminalize firearm owners that store firearms in a non-compliant manner if they are accessed by a prohibited person or minor. Initiative 1639, filed by Michael Bloomberg’s front group, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, is an egregious attack on Second Amendment freedoms and comes just months after they failed to enact their gun ban agenda in Olympia. Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated on the status of the initiative, so please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org .  Also, a couple more releases, after the jump...

WA: NRA Files Legal Challenge Against Misleading Ballot Title for Gun Control Initiative

This just in:
NRA-ILA | Washington: NRA Files Legal Challenge Against Misleading Ballot Title for Gun Control Initiative

Thursday, May 17, 2018 

Yesterday, NRA filed a legal challenge in the Thurston County Superior Court objecting to the misleading and inadequate ballot title for Initiative 1639, which seeks to further restrict the Second Amendment rights of Washington's law-abiding citizens.  The Thurston County Superior Court will review all legal challenges before the ballot title and summary can be finalized for the initiative.

Initiative 1639, filed by Michael Bloomberg’s front group, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, is an egregious attack on Second Amendment freedoms and comes just months after failing to enact their gun ban agenda in Olympia.  Proponents of this 22-page initiative will have until July 6^th to get 259,622 valid signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot.

Please spread the word to your family, friends, and fellow gun owners about this latest attack on self-defense rights in the Evergreen State!  Help protect Second Amendment rights in Washington and decline to sign this initiative petition.  

The proposed initiative, if passed, would do the following:

• Require a 10 Day Waiting Period for Commonly Owned Rifles.  All semi-automatic rifle purchases and transfers would be subjected to a waiting period of 10 business days.

• Establish a Government Registry of Firearms.  Current law states the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) “may” keep copies of pistol purchase applications.  The proposed initiative would instead require the DOL to keep copies of these purchase applications, and would expand this government registry to include semi-automatic rifle purchases.

• Require Completion of a Training Course to Purchase Rifles.  This initiative would also require all purchasers of semi-automatic rifles to show they have completed a firearm safety training course within the last five years in order to proceed with the sale.

• Impose up to a $25 Purchase Fee (GUN TAX) for Semi-Automatic Rifles.  The Washington Department of Licensing would be allowed to charge up to a $25 fee for each semi-automatic rifle purchase.  

• Require Gun Owners to Lock Up their Firearms or Face Criminal Charges.  Individuals would be required to lock up their firearms or potentially face a criminal charge of “Community Endangerment Due to Unsafe Storage of a Firearm” if the firearm is accessed by a prohibited person or minor.  This intrusive proposal invades people’s homes and forces them to render their firearms useless in a self-defense situation by locking them up.

• Restricts Adults Aged 18-20 from Acquiring Modern Rifles.  Adults aged 18-20 would be prohibited from purchasing semi-automatic rifles and would not be allowed to receive them through a transfer or loan.  The proposed initiative would deny a segment of law-abiding adults from access to the most modern and effective firearms for self-defense, thus depriving them of their constitutional rights. 

• Require “Warnings” for Firearm Purchases.  All firearm purchases would come with a notification about the “inherent risks” of firearm ownership as an attempt to further stigmatize firearms.

Again, please spread the word for your family, friends and fellow gun owners about the latest attack on Second Amendment rights in Washington.  Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated on the status of the initiative, so please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org.

Eternal vigilance, etc.

Pleasantly Surprised

So Mrs. Drang walked in the house and asked me "What did you order from Ukraine?"

I laughed and said "That's exactly how I thought this conversation would go."

Anyway. There have been reports of prowlers in the neighborhood, and I work midnights.  Suddenly, that 20 gauge old coach gun I'd bought her for Christmas all those years ago seemed like more than just a prop for the contemplated (but not acted upon) pursuit of Cowboy Action Shooting as a hobby.

The thing with a double barrel shotgun, of course, is that you only have two shots. Also, it is hard to maintain it in  a "cruiser ready" status, that is, shell in the magazine, but none chambered. On a pump action shotgun you load the magazine but have the slide all the way back...

I had a butt-mounted shell holder, but it was so loose on the 20 that it slid forward. Also, it's nylon and elastic, so looked "wrong".

Amazingly few leather shell holders for 20 gauges out there, until I found an outfit on Etsy, BronzeDog. Price was reasonable for all-leather, so I ordered one...

Buttstock Cartridge Holder Leather Buttstock Ammo Holder

...and that, of course, was when I discovered they're in Ukraine.

I placed the order on April 17th. They make to order, which means they started working on it when I placed the order.

We picked it up It arrived today, the 30th. {EDIT: The 30th being Monday, and the UPS store being closed on Sunday, it might have come in Saturday afternoon after we picked up mail.}

The lace locks in behind the swell of the pistol grip pretty firmly.
Photo ©2018 D.W. Drang and the Cluemeter

I need to pick up some more 20 gauge buckshot.
Photo ©2018 D.W. Drang and the Cluemeter

The cheekpad is a nice touch.Not too high.
Photo ©2018 D.W. Drang and the Cluemeter

The excess lace will be tucked in.
Photo ©2018 D.W. Drang and the Cluemeter

They do butt and belt mounted ammo holders for rifles and shotguns, and satchels for same for range or hunting blind use, and also do dog collars and the like.

Good, high-quality leather, and sturdy construction.  Recommended.

'Nuff said

GOAL Post 2018-8

I've skipped the last couple of GOAL Posts, they are linked in the right-hand sidebar. 

But I felt that this week's was important to post, if only for Joe's comments on the recent events in Florida.

As usual, minor editing for formatting, a couple of typos or elisions from the original are called out with "{sic}".

***

FROM: wa-ccw@yahoogroups.com (Joe Waldron)

TO: undisclosed recipients

SENT: Fri 2/23/2018 5:50 PM

SUBJECT: GOAL Post 2018-8

Legislative Update from Olympia23 February 2018

• BILLS MOVE
• NO PUBLIC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK
• CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
• TWO WEEKS LEFT IN SESSION
• FLORIDA SHOOTING

HB 2363 (drone delivery of contraband) passed out of Senate Law & Justice to Senate Rules awaiting a floor vote. HB 2519 (return of CPLs) also passed out of Senate Law & Justice to Rules, but not before they amended the bill to it’s original form, removing the language that allowed current and former military members aged 18-20 to apply for and receive a concealed pistol license (several states with age 21 CPL requirements have opened them up to military members over 18). ed {sic} on the House floor to reimburse those owners who surrender them to police. SB 5553 (suicidal, waiver of firearm rights) passed out of the House on a77-20 vote with one excused.SB 5992 (bump stock ban) passed out of the House on a 56-41 vote also. The bill was amended to create a buyback program for banned bump stocks. Seven other amendments to limit the impact of the bill failed.SB 6298 (DV harassment firearms ban) passed out of the House Judiciary committee with an important amendment. Back in 1994, when many DV-related misdemeanors were made firearm disqualifiers, it was retroactive – a listed DV-related conviction at any time in the past prohibited future possession of firearms.SB 6298 was amended to allow only DV harassment convictions after this law takes effect to act as a disqualifier.

Unfortunately, the amendment is still lipstick on a pig. No misdemeanor conviction of any law should allow denial of a fundamental, enumerated right listed in the Constitution. Period. Add to that the common he said, she said nature of many of these DV offenses, in many cases with no physical proof offered.(We’ve been over this before: domestic violence is a serious issue and must not be tolerated, but if it’s that serious, make it a felony.)

No public hearings involving firearms are scheduled for next week. It’s all floor action now.

If a bill is amended in the second chamber and passes, it must go back to the original chamber to approve the change. If approval (another floor vote) is not granted, it goes to a conference committee composed of members from both chambers to iron out the difference(s). Then it goes back to both chambers for approval.

At this point, and we’re pretty far along in the session, it appears there will be no immediate, direct impact of the Florida shooting in Olympia. For now.

If you’ve been following the national news all this past week, it appears the only thing in the world that has happened is the Parkland, Florida school shooting. The overwhelming media focus is on gun control, calling for bans on AR-15s and other “assault weapons,” raising the age to purchase ”assault weapons,” or in some cases, all firearms, to 21.Suggestions have also been made by some to arm SOME teachers (the establishment doesn’t like that, nor do teachers’ unions), or to provide for more school resource officers. The outcome remains to be seen.

A couple of things of note, though. The call for more gun control seems to be exceptionally-well organized. And funded. One Parkland survivor invited to attend a CNN episode on the shooting says he was denied the opportunity to ask the questions he wanted to ask, and instead was given a scripted question to ask. More and more information has come out about the shooter and the incident. He was a long term “problem kid,” with many fellow students reporting major issues with him including threats, he was expelled from Parkland, the Broward County Sheriff’s deputies had made more than three dozen calls to his home in the past few years. Clearly red flags were being waved – and ignored. Then the FBI dropped the ball after the “kid” posted a You Tube comment that he wanted to become a “professional school shooter” (a comment alleged made at other times and places, too).

The worst failure here was the fact that they just revealed that the on-scene School Resource Officer stayed outside under cover when the shooting started, and remained outside for at least four minutes. The major lesson learned in 1999 after the Columbine, CO, school shooting is that you don’t wait outside to see how things develop, you immediately enter. It’s called “running to the sound of gunfire” and has been “school shooter” Rule #1 since 1999.The news is reporting that the officer has resigned, but most fail to add that he was actually allowed to retire.

Just before I closed this out, another local police department whose officers responded to the Parkland H.S. shooting are reporting that when they arrived on scene, four additional Broward County deputies were also outside the school, guns drawn, but not going inside.

Former Milwaukee County Sheriff, NRA Director and staunch pro-gun advocate made the comment that George Soros fingerprints are all over this. I tend not to buy into conspiracy theories for a variety of reasons, but the number of coincidences in this one certainly raise questions. (And the media now says these conspiracy theories originated with the Russian{sic}. Maybe the shooter was a Russian immigrant?)

BILL STATUS/GOAL POSITION:

{After the jump. DWD}

GOAL Post 2018-4

I'll continue posting these, at least for now. As usual, I've tried to clean up punctuation and the like, which does not necessarily copy from the email well. However, I have to go to work shortly, so I may have missed some. Sorry...

Also before the legislature, but not in the GOAL Post, HB2000, would legalize concealed carry of a fixed blade knife with a blade less than 6 inches.

***

FROM: GOAL-WA (Joe Waldron)

TO: undisclosed recipients

SENT: Sat 1/27/2018 5:08 PM

SUBJECT: GOAL Post 2018-4

Legislative Update from Olympia 27 January 2018

SB 5992 PASSES SENATE

NEW BILLS FILED

ACTION ON BILLS

PUBLIC HEARING CONDUCTED

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

(Quick and dirty this week. I just got back on the redeye from the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trades) Show in Las Vegas. All kinds of new toys that our Dave Workman will be covering in future articles.)

SB 5992 (“bump stock ban) passed the Senate on a 29-20 vote. It now goes to House Judiciary for their consideration. Given that the bill had a couple of Republican co-sponsors and four Republican Senators voted “aye” on final passage, it will likely sail through the House and go to the governor. The impact of this is very limited, and if this is all that passes the legislature this session, we will be very lucky indeed.

SB 6415, by Sen. Hunt (D-22), and HB 2736, by Rep. Doglio (D-22), would require “express permission” from the homeowner before allowing a CPL holder carrying a concealed pistol in a residence.Violation is a misdemeanor plus FIVE YEARS’ LOSS OF CPL. “Express permission” is not further defined in the law. What constitutes “express?” Permission in writing? Video of owner granting permission? Court affidavit? Notarized statement?

The version of HB 1122 that passed out of House Judiciary last week was amended to follow the original language from HB 2319 introduced in 1997 (and gave rise to I-676 when it failed to pass the legislature that year). It drops the term “community endangerment” and returns to a form of reckless endangerment, it applies only to children who unlawfully access a firearm, and it defines “child” as anyone under the age of 18.

SB 5553 (suicide prevention, voluntary waiver of rights) passed out of the Senate January 24^th on a 49-0 vote. It now moves over to House Judiciary.

A public hearing on several gun bills was conducted by House Judiciary on Thursday, 25 January. Testimony, pro and con, was taken on HBs 2666 (repeal state preemption), 1387 (background check on “assault weapons”), 2422 (restrict/ban “high capacity” magazines), 2293 (banning firearms in day care facilities) and 2519 (return of seized CPLs). It is interesting to note that not only were the anti crowd turned out in orange t-shirts for enhanced visibility, but for the first time (to the best of my

recollection) pizza was catered in for this. But this was just a spontaneous grassroots turnout. Right! It’s nice to have millionaire sugar daddies.

The Senate Law & Justice committee will hold a public hearing on SB 6418 (possession of concealed firearm(s) in someone else’s residence) at 10:00 a.m. on January 30^th. Senate Law & Justice will consider SBs 6297 and 6298 in Executive Session (vote to pass out of committee) on Friday, February 2^nd , at 10:00 a.m.

BILL STATUS/GOAL POSITION:

GOAL Post 2018-2

Week two. 
There was a rally in Olympia today, only about 150 or so showed up. The weather sucks, and getting to Oly from north of Tacoma has become something of a nightmare. So far as I know, though, there was no Open Cary jackassery, so we have that going for us... 
(Since I am now working Graveyard Shift, any such activity is awkward for me, at best...)

In addition to the efforts on the part of Seattle commies to infringe on the Second Amendment Rights of Washingtonians, they are also said to be considering passing a "sweetened beverage" tax; from the description, they looked at the one Seattle itself recently passed and said "Hold my non-fat half-caff latte and watch this!"
(Milk-based beverages are exempt, but under this proposal, diet and alcoholic beverages will not be...)

This after the first order of business, which was repealing the state law requiring a two thirds majority for any tax bills.

Meanwhile, Hizzoner The Governor really, really, REALLY wants to institute a carbon tax on Washingtonians. 

Like I said last week, batten down the hatches and fasten your seat belts...

***

FROM: GOAL WA <goalwa@cox.net> (Joe Waldron)

TO: wa-ccw@yahoogroups.com
SENT: Fri 1/12/2018 3:13 PM

SUBJECT: GOAL Post 2018-2

GOAL Post 2018-2

Legislative Update from Olympia12 January 2018 

• GUN RIGHTS RALLY
• LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
• NEW GUN BILLS FILED
• PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED

Somewhere between 125-150 gun rights supporters showed up at the rally conducted on the Capitol Campus earlier today.Several legislators spoke to the crowd, including Representatives Matt Shea (R-4), Brian Blake (D-19), Vicki Kraft (R-17), Morgan Irwin (R-31) and Senator Phil Fortunato (R-31). After the formal presentations ended, individual participants visited their legislators’ offices. A big thank you to the legislators who spoke and to all who made the trek to Olympia to show the flag..

The following cut-off dates are proposed for bills under consideration in the 2018 regular legislative session. As a general rule, if a bill fails to pass a hurdle, it is considered dead for the session. Exceptions can be made.

2 February: Bills must pass out of policy committee

5 February: Bills must pass out of chamber fiscal committee (only bills with major fiscal impact)

14 February: Bills must pass out of house of origin (House bills out of House, Senate bills out of Senate)

23 February: Bills must pass out of policy committee in second chamber

26 February: Bills with major fiscal impact must pass out of second chamber fiscal committee

2 March: Bills must pass out of second chamber (House bills out of Senate, Senate bills out of House), except for bills in a conference committee to iron out differences in House/Senate versions,budget bills and initiatives.

8 March: Sine die – close of regular legislative session.

HB 2363, by Rep. Pellicciotti (D-30), makes any attempt to use a drone to deliver a deadly weapon to an incarcerated individual a Class C felony.SB 6146, by Sen. Saldada (D-37), repeals RCW 9.41.290, our state preemption law, that prohibits local government from passing its own gun laws.I believe Washington was first in the nation with this, 35 years ago. 42 states now have preemption laws. If this passes, every county, city and town can pass their own gun control laws, a patchwork quilt of laws that will trip up gun owners traveling across the state.SB 6247, by Sen. Dhingra (D-45), prohibits firearm possession by individuals with a history of violence who are not deemed competent to stand trial.

The Senate Law & Justice Committee will conduct public hearings on SBs 5992 (trigger devices), 6049 (magazine restrictions), 5444 (modern sporting rifle registration), 5463 (safe storage) and 6146 (preemption repeal) on 15 January at 10 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 4, John A. Cherberg Building.That is the only public hearing on gun bills scheduled this week.A strong turnout would help.

BILL NUMBER/SUBJECT/SPONSOR/STATUS/GOAL POSITION:

GOAL Post 2018-1

New year, new legislative session.

Batten down the hatches, fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a rough ride...

The good news, this is the short session, that allegedly focuses on budgetary issues. The bad news is, the Democrats are in control.

I'm leaving the full text of this GOAL Post in the main blog, instead of inserting a "jump" to shorten it. That leave the full list of bills here. You'll notice there are a lot of "Ban this, Mandatory that" bills, but few "Exception/Allow/Repeal the other."

Like I said, the Democrats are in control...

***

FROM: GOAL-WA (goalwa@cox.net)(Joe Waldron)

TO: undisclosed recipients

Sent: [wa-ccw] GOAL Post 2018-1

Subject: GOAL Post 2018-1

Legislative Update from Olympia5 January 2018

• RALLY IN OLY FRIDAY 12 JANUARY
• LEGISLATURE CONVENES MONDAY, 8 JANUARY (60 DAY SESSION)
• DEMOCRATS IN COMPLETE CONTROL
• BILLS HELD OVER FROM 2017
• NEW GUN BILLS PRE-FILED
• LEGISLATIVE TUTORIAL
• LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
• NEXT WEEK’S HEARING SCHEDULE
• SENATE GUN BILL HEARING MONDAY 15 JANUARY
• LEGISALATOR CONTACT INFORMATION
• HOW TO TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING
• PUBLIC HEARING VERSUS EXECUTIVE SESSION

(This will be a long GOAL Post as I have to describe the environment and the processes involved for new readers. Future issues will be shorter. Also keep in mind that GOAL Post focuses on gun law only, we do not cover hunting issues. The Hunters Heritage Council does that well. I normally post GP on Friday evenings to summarize that week’s activities and provide a forecast for the next. I’ll be at the SHOT show in Las Vegas the week of the 22^nd , so that one may come late.)

First business first: a gun rights rally will be held on the Capitol Campus next Friday, January 12th, , put on by Rick Halle of the Gun Rights Coalition. It will begin at 9 a.m. and continue likely for an hour or more, with both outside and legislative speakers. (Yes, it’s a Friday, and unlike the people bussed in to attend many liberal rallies, gunnies have to work. Are your gun rights worth a day off?) After the formal presentation, attendees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the campus layout (the Capitol, or “legislative” building where floor sessions are conducted, as well as the John L. O’Brien House Office Building, the John A. Cherberg Senate Office Building, and the Irv Newhouse Senate Office Building. This is a great opportunity to locate your two representatives’ and one senator’s office and introduce yourself to their legislative aides. Hopefully over the coming two months they’ll become familiar with your name and maybe even your face!(Gun bill hearing in Senate Law & Justice three days later.See last item in the narrative.

The legislature convenes on Monday, January 8^th , for its “short” (60 day) session. This is a continuation of the 65^th biennium, which started in January 2017.If their work is not completed, they can be called back by the governor for a 30-day special session, as happened last year with THREE back-to-back special sessions.

For the past several sessions control of the Senate has been held by the Republicans, thanks to conservative Democrat Senator Tim Sheldon (D-35) who “organizes with Republicans,” just as Vermont’s Bernie Sanders and Maine’s Angus King do with Democrats in the U.S. Senate. That one seat majority was critical in keeping anti-gun bills off the Senate floor. Unfortunately, those days are gone. The Republicans lost the seat in the 45^th District in the Special Election held in November. This means Democrats chair all of the committees in both House and Senate, and have at least a one or two seat majority in each committee. And while a small handful of individual Democrat legislators are pro-gun, party policy is definitely anti-gun, anti-rights.

The House is still split 50 Democrats – 48 Republicans.

Because this is simply “part 2” of a two-year legislative period, all bills filed and not passed in last years’ session are up for play this year, as well as new bills filed.29 bills (19 House, 10 Senate) remain in the hopper from last year. Most will not likely be touched (especially the pro-gun bills), but any or all COULD be brought into play.

In addition, since early December several new gun-related bills have been filed for action this session. In the House, HB 2293 (Kagi, D-32) bans possession of firearms at day care centers; HB 2306 (Van Werven, R-42) allows veterans with CPLs to carry concealed on community college campuses; and HB 2329 (Walsh, R-19) strengthens the current CPL privacy law. In the Senate, SB5992 (Van De Wege, D-24) bans certain “trigger devices” – e.g. bump-fire-stocks, etc, and SB 6049 (Frockt, D-3) bans “high capacity magazines” – e.g any magazine that holds more than ten rounds – to include handgun magazines (existing possession is grandfathered, with restrictions).

A complete list of bills under consideration is included below in the “BILL STATUS” section. It also contains the bill’s prime sponsor, the current status of the bill (committee location) and the GOAL position on the bill. Committee abbreviations are provided at the bottom of that section. As this is written there are currently 34 gun bills available for consideration/action.

For those new to legislative affairs, here’s how the process works: When a bill is filed in the House or Senate (or both, simultaneously, called “companion bills”) it is assigned to a policy committee. Most gun-related bills go to the Senate Law & Justice Committee in the Senate. In the House it’s a little more complicated, as it may be sent to House Judiciary or House Public Safety (most will go to Judiciary). Public hearings may be held, after which the bill may (or may not) be voted out of committee. If the bill has a fiscal impact (usually an expenditure of more than $50,000), it must then go to Senate Ways & Means or one of a couple of House fiscal committees. The bill then goes to the Senate or House Rules Committee, where it must be voted on to pass out to the floor for a full vote.

After a bill passes the Senate or House, it then goes over to the opposite chamber (House or Senate), where the whole process starts over again. If the bill passes the second chamber in the same form it passed the first, it goes to the governor for signature (or veto or partial veto). If changes are made in the second chamber, it goes back to the first for concurrence. It may also go to a conference committee from both chambers to resolve differences. The final version must pass both chambers.

The bill then goes to the Governor, who may sign it into law, veto (kill) the bill, or sign a partial veto (killing just selected section(s) of the bill). The governor may also allow a bill to become law without his signature. Most signed bills take effect on 1 July, although bills with an “emergency clause” (considered immediately necessary for public safety) take effect upon signature by the governor.

One of the first items of business in each session is the adoption of the session calendar, identifying dates by which bills must clear various hurdles. A bill that fails to clear the policy committee or chamber floor by the designated date is generally considered dead for the year, although they may be “resurrected” by parliamentary procedure. I’ll post the cut-off dates for the 2018 session in the next issue of GOAL Post.

The following links can be used to contact legislators:

http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/

http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Representatives/

Legislative e-mail addresses are available at http://app.leg.wa.gov/MemberEmail/Default.aspx

The link contains a quick tutorial on providing testimony at public hearings on bills under consideration. I would urge you to read it and consider visiting Olympia to let YOUR voice be heard. Http://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Testify.aspx

Public hearings are committee meetings open to the public, where the public is allowed to testify on bills, to give their views on the bill. But all votes on bills taken by a committee are conducted in what are called “executive sessions. “They are typically part of a public session, with a few minutes set aside to vote on bills previously heard by the committee. Public testimony is just that, open to the public for comment. On the other have, no public input is allowed during executive session. You are welcome to sit there, and to count votes, but silence from the public is the rule. Just FYI for those of you who have not attended legislative public meetings before.

At this time, no gun bills are scheduled to be heard the first week of the session. The Senate will conduct an executive session (vote) on SB 5553, suicide waiver of rights, on 11 January. This is a holdover from last year and no public input will be taken.

Legislative committee schedule are posted on the legislative web site on Wednesday evenings. It is not on the schedule yet, but I have been informed that the Senate Law & Justice Committee will conduct a public hearing on Monday, 15 January (Martin Luther King Day), at 1000, in Senate Hearing Room 4 (John A Cherberg Building).Bills reportedly under consideration include SBs 5992 (“trigger devices”) and 6049 (“high capacity magazine’ ban).A strong turnout is helpful. As is carpooling, given parking limitations on the Capitol Campus.(Who knows how many busloads of people will show up from Seattle supporting the gun control bills on this holiday?)

BILL STATUS/GOAL POSITION:

HB 1000 Use of deadly force Doglio (D-22) H.PubSaf OPPOSE

HB 1004 Possession of firearms/state of emergency Shea (R-4 )H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1015 Limiting restrictions on concealed carry Shea (R-4)H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1122 Safe storage of firearms Kagi (D-32) H. Rules OPPOSE

HB 1134 Assault weapon ban Peterson (D-21) H. Jud. OPPOSE

HB 1174 Firearm safety education in schools Muri (R-28) H. Edu SUPPORT

HB 1181 Prohibiting handgun sales registr yBlake (D-19)H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1190 Prohibiting handgun sales registry Taylor (R-15) H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1270 Encouraging voluntary use of locking devices Harmsworth (R-44) H. Fin. SUPPORT

HB 1380 Repeals I-594 Shea (R-4) H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1381  Universal recognition of all state CPLs Blake (D-19) H. Jud .SUPPORT

HB 1387Assault weapons background check Jinkins (D-27)H. Jud. OPPOSE

HB 1483Allows destruction of forfeited firearms Lovick (D-44) H. Rules OPPOSE

HB 1529Use of force Ryu (D-32) H.Pub.Saf. OPPOSE

HB 1592Delivery of firearms to LEOs Klippert (R-H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1725I-594 check exemption for CPL holders Koster (R-44)H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 1731 Certain exemptions to I-594 Jinkins (D27) H. Rules SUPPORT

HB 1900 Hunter ed funding/NRA license plates Griffey (R-35)H. Trans. NEUTRAL

HB 1933 Transfer of firearms at non-profit events Walsh (R-19)H. Jud. SUPPORT

HB 2293 Bans firearms in daycare facilities (exception) Kagi (D-32) OPPOSE

HB 2306 Allows licensed veterans to carry at Comm Coll Van Werven (R-) SUPPORT

HB 2329 Strengthens law making CPL data private Walsh (R-19) SUPPORT

SB 5000 Use of deadly force McCoy (D-38)S. L&J OPPOSE

SB 5050 Assault weapon ban Frockt (D-3) S. L&J OPPOSE

SB 5073 Use of force McCoy (D-38)S. W&M OPPOSE

SB 5216 Firearm safety education in schools O’Ban (R-28)S. K-12 SUPPORT

SB 5441Involuntary freeze on firearm possession Kuderer (D-)S .HumSer NEUTRAL

SB 5444 Background check for “assault weapons” Frockt (D-46)S.. L&J OPPOSE

SB 5463 Mandatory safe storage of firearms Palumbo (D-S. L&J OPPOSE

SB 5506 Transfer of firearms at non-profit events Zeiger (R-25)S. Rules SUPPORT

SB 5553 Suicidal, waiver of rights Pedersen (D-43)S. L&J NEUTRAL

SB 5795 Mandatory firearm liability insurance Chase (D-32)S. L&J OPPOSE

SB 5992 Bans certain “trigger devices” Van De Wege (D-24)S. L&J OPPOSE

SB 6049 Bans “high capacity” magazines Frockt (D-3) S. L&J OPPOSE

HB = House bill, SB = Senate bill.L&J = Law & Justice, Jud = Judiciary, PubSaf = Public Safety, HC = Health Care, H. K-12 = House Early education, Aprop = Appropriations, Fin = Finance, W&M = Ways & Means “S” before a bill number indicates Substitute (amended).

HEARINGS SCHEDULED:

None scheduled

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE: You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.Toll free!!!The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA: Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature's web site at "www.leg.wa.gov“. Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format. You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe's web site (http://www.adobe.com). You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000.You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need "RealAudio" to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate "bill reports" (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted. By reading the "roll call" for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill. The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT: If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to "goalwa@cox.net ".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 message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s). PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL. I can be reached at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" or by telephone at (425) 985-4867.Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals. Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at "goalwa@cox.net" with the words "Unsubscribe GOAL Post" in the subject line. I will remove your name immediately. Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists. If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list's admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Monroe13-14 January

Puyallup20-21 January

"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

Copyright 2018 Gun Owners Action League of WA

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Posted by: GOAL WA <goalwa@cox.net>

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