I support firearm safety. I don’t support WA Democrats’ latest assault on gun rights | Opinion
Our state is seeing a dramatic increase in violent crimes, particularly in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. Washingtonians have responded by purchasing firearms and taking training courses to better protect themselves, their property and their families. Sadly, some lawmakers in Olympia see this crime wave as just another opportunity to wage war on the Second Amendment.
The latest example is House Bill 1143. It and the identical Senate Bill 5211 would mandate Washingtonians take a safety class to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm, along with other restrictions on dealers and purchasers.
As a state senator, my first litmus test for legislation is whether it is constitutional; in this case, does it either “infringe” upon or “impair” a citizen’s right to own a firearm. I therefore am firmly opposed to HB 1143, which meets neither test. Instead, it threatens the rights of law-abiding citizens, increases financial burdens on struggling Washington families and does nothing to address the irresponsible and illegal use of firearms.
While I support firearm training, especially for those who lack experience with guns, mandating prerequisites on the exercise of a fundamental right exceeds the Legislature’s authority.
Most Washington gun owners are responsible and law-abiding, and use firearms for self-defense, hunting or sport. Requiring training and a permit to exercise a constitutionally guaranteed right is unjust and unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny.
The prime sponsor of HB 1143, Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, offers a tired argument in support of her bill. “We require training and a license to drive a car or go fishing, it’s just common sense to require a license for purchasing a firearm,” Berry said.
A better comparison is between the Second Amendment and the First Amendment. People sometimes use their First Amendment right to free speech to lie, and incite people, which could be misleading and dangerous. Should publishers and speechmakers be forced to receive government training and a permit prior to exercising their right to free speech? Of course not. We recognize the fundamental difference between a constitutional right and a state privilege, like fishing or driving a car.
Furthermore, the bill’s supporters offer no real evidence that it would actually prevent gun violence. The vast majority of gun-related crimes are committed by people with ill intent using firearms obtained illegally.
There also is nothing to suggest mandatory training and permitting would make our communities safer. States like Illinois have seen crime rates increase after implementing such laws.
Why is the Democratic Majority so set on restricting the rights of Washingtonians? Any time I hear, “common sense limitation,” I know it is just one more step in an inexorable movement to eliminate legally owned firearms. HB 1143 is simply one more political maneuver to erode a constitutional right under the illusion that government is addressing the issue of gun violence.
Here’s what could make a real difference. Consider adding age-appropriate firearm safety to the state school curriculum, along with fire safety, CPR and other safety basics. Schools are a perfect place to teach the responsible handling (or avoidance) of firearms. My bill (SB 5678) proposes just such training. Will it get a committee hearing? Unlikely, because the goal of the Democrat Majority isn’t to provide training, it’s to curtail rights. I have previously offered legislation to incentivize Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders to get formal training by extending their CPL without additional cost; it never got to the Senate floor. Again, for the majority leadership in Olympia, this debate is not really about training, it’s about restricting your rights.
Perhaps as important, we should refocus on stiffening Washington’s firearm laws with an emphasis on gun-related crimes, not on law-abiding firearm owners. Democrats have repeatedly sidelined legislation from Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, that would increase the punishment for stealing a firearm.
Instead of enacting unjust laws that would harm law-abiding citizens, let’s enforce the laws already on the books and crack down on illegal firearms trafficking.
This kind of targeted policy would make a difference, unlike the denial of rights disguised as safety created by measures like HB 1143.
Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, represents the 39th Legislative District. He serves as the Senate Republican Whip and is a member of the Senate Law and Justice Committee.
This story was originally published February 15, 2023 at 7:00 AM with the headline "I support firearm safety. I don’t support WA Democrats’ latest assault on gun rights | Opinion."