Majority Democrats in the state House of Representatives rejected 27 Republican amendments before passing a bill requiring a state permit to purchase firearms. John Sattgast reports.
House Bill 1163 would require gun buyers to apply for a permit from the Washington State Patrol involving a lengthy waiting period, but only after completing a firearms safety course. House Republicans, including Aberdeen Representative Jim Walsh, argued the bill is yet another attack against constitutional rights and law-abiding gun owners:
“First, it violates your due process rights. That’s Article 1, Section 3 of the Washington State Constitution. Second, it violates your privacy rights. That’s Article 1, Section 7, and third, it violates your rights to defend yourself with a firearm.”
Representative Hunter Abell of Inchelium says gun owners in his district are writing him, asking why they shouldn’t move out of Washington state:
“It’s deeply contrary to the values of the people of the 7th District who have a long and well-known history of responsible gun ownership and responsible exercise of their Second Amendment rights.”
The measure passed on a party-line vote, 58 to 38. It now goes to the Senate.
# # #