Olympia politicians gutting our rights

Peoples' self-rule elimination bill moving along

A new bill – HB 2529 and Senate companion bill SB 6503 – seeks to ban initiatives and referendums in odd years, while still allowing local governments to run special elections and tax raising measures during all years. Democrats argue that, as voter turnout declines during off years, referendums should be banned. There is no explanation as to why it would be permissible – using this logic – to allow tax increases to appear on the ballot during all years. Of course, the legislation also poses serious constitutionality questions – Washington voters have a constitutional right to initiatives and referendums.

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No despot wants to face an armed populace, thus new gun possession restrictions are in the works.

House Bill 2305 imposes a mandatory firearm prohibition for respondents of a Vulnerable Adult Protective Order. This order, which removes someone’s Second Amendment rights for up to 5 years, requires no criminal convictions or even charges. Due process limits restrictions on constitutional rights to only serious convictions and adjudications that provide procedural protections to the accused, which results in more reliable proceedings. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms should not be treated as a second-class right and should only be restricted when sufficient protections are in place.

House Bill 2622 modifies Washington’s existing firearm surrender provisions for individuals subject to a court order. This bill compels a respondent to appear and testify, under oath, on how and to what extent they complied with the surrender order. This is a serious encroachment on the right against compelled self-incrimination in any criminal, civil, or other government proceedings. Failure to appear would result in the individual being in contempt of court, thereby putting the individual in a no-win situation.

House Bill 2623 prohibits an individual from possessing firearms if they are convicted of the misdemeanor crimes of unlawful aiming or discharge of a firearm. This poorly conceived legislation even applies to airguns and slingshots, and has no exceptions for an individual aiming or discharging a firearm for self-defense purposes in location that would have otherwise not be authorized.

On Friday, the committee is scheduled to vote on the following bills:

House Bill 2240 bans the manufacture, possession, sale, transfer, etc. of magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. This measure is strongly supported by the Governor and the Attorney General. 

House Bill 1315 requires onerous government red tape and further training to obtain a Concealed Pistol License.