Today, House Bill 1588, legislation that could criminalize private sales of firearms and lead to handgun registration, was amended and reported by the House Judiciary Committee by a 7-6 vote. HB 1588 is now headed to the House Rules Committee before going to the floor of the state House of Representatives. It is imperative that you contact your state Representatives and the members of the House Rules Committee TODAY and urge them to oppose HB 1588.
Sponsored by state representatives Jamie Pederson (D-43), Mike Hope (R-44) and 36 other state representatives, HB 1588 could criminalize all private sales of firearms. This bill mandates a $20 fee (tax) to conduct a background check. All private firearm sales would be required to be brokered by licensed gun dealers and it is unlikely that $20 would cover their cost. A likely outcome is dealers refusing to process these transactions, potentially bringing all legal private firearm sales to a halt.
HB 1588 is unworkable in its current form, as it conflicts with federal law. Furthermore, if it was able to be implemented as drafted, it would create a database of all privately sold handguns since ALL dealer handgun deliveries are registered with the state.
This bill is nothing more than a regulatory scheme that would create a huge burden for law-abiding citizens, would be unenforceable and would be ignored by criminals anyway. It is truly nothing more than a precursor to Universal Firearm REGISTRATION!
More below the fold:
The NRA thanks the following six state
Representatives who voted against this attack on our Second Amendment
rights. Please contact them and thank them for standing up for your
constitutional rights:
Representative Jay Rodne (R-5)
(360) 786-7852
Representative Steve O'Ban (R-28)
(360) 786-7890
Representative Steve Kirby (D-29)
(360) 786-7996
Representative Brad Klippert (R-8)
(360) 786-7882
Representative Terry Nealey (R-16)
(360) 786-7828
Representative Matt Shea (R-4)
(360) 786-7984
It is imperative that you contact your state Representatives and the members of the House Rules Committee TODAY and urge them to oppose HB 1588. If one of your Representatives serves on the House Rules Committee, it is especially important for you to contact them, as this committee has the power to prevent this bill from going to the House Floor. To find your elected officials and their contact information, please click here. You may also contact your state Representatives by calling the toll-free legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Contact information for the House Rules Committee is provided below:
House Rules Committee:
Representative Frank Chopp (D-43) Chair
frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7920
Representative Richard DeBolt (R-20)
richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7896
Representative Cathy Dahlquist (R-31)
cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7846
Representative Susan Fagan (R-9)
susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7942
Representative Tami Green (D-28)
tami.green@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7958
Representative Jeff Holy (R-6)
jeff.holy@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7962
Representative Norm Johnson (R-14)
norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7810
Representative Linda Kochmar (R-30)
linda.kochmar@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7898
Representative Joel Kretz (R-7)
joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7988
Representative Marko Liias (D-21)
marko.liias@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7972
Representative Chad Magendanz (R-5)
chad.magendanz@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7876
Representative Marcie Maxwell (D-41)
marcie.maxwell@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7894
Representative Jim Moeller (D-49)
jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7872
Representative Terry Nealey (R-16)
terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7828
Representative Tina Orwall (D-33)
tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7834
Representative Eric Pettigrew (D-37)
eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7838
Representative Chris Reykdal (D-22)
chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7940
Representative Mary Helen Roberts (D-21)
maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7950
Representative Cindy Ryu (D-32)
cindy.ruy@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7880
Representative David Sawyer (D-29)
david.sawyer@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7906
Representative Larry Springer (D-45)
larry.springer@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7822
Representative Pat Sullivan (D-47)
pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7858
Representative Gael Tarleton (D-36)
gael.tarleton@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7860
Representative Kevin Van De Wege (D-24)
kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7916
Representative J.T. Wilcox (R-2)
jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7912
