OLYMPIA, WA – This week, the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held public hearings on several Democrat-sponsored gun control bills: House Bills 1178, 1143, 1144, and 1240. Ninth District Representative Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) says the crowds of people who testified in person was “impressive.” Several others testified remotely. You can watch the entire committee hearing here.
One of the pieces of legislation which was debated is HB 1178. It would allow local municipalities to enact gun regulations which they believe are best for their communities. Senator Joe Nguyễn (D-White Center) has matching legislation in the Senate with companion bill SB 5446.
Representative David Hackney (D-Tukwila), a co-sponsor of the bill, urged the Committee to approve the measure with a “do pass” recommendation. He says “one size fits all doesn’t necessarily work.”
Hackney adds that if gun owners take the responsibility of owning a firearm, they should also take the additional responsibility of knowing local gun laws.
Aoibheann Cline, Northwest Regional DirectorNational Rifle Association, testified against HB 1178.
Brian Keelan of the Washington State Rifle and Pistol Association says if passed, the bill would create a patchwork of laws that will make it all but impossible for gun owners to participate in shooting competitions, target practice, and hunting.
Meanwhile, Schmick says he does not believe gun control legislation is the answer to increased crime in our state.
“I am a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights. I believe criminals should be held accountable for their actions. I believe that law enforcement should be able to pursue criminals. I believe we should crack down on property crimes, including auto theft. And, I believe we need more cops on the street as our state continues to be the worst in the nation for law enforcement personnel per capita,” Schmick says in an email.
From Senator Schmick:
Much of what we do this session will fall under one of the following four priorities:
Reducing your cost of living
We should cut the sales tax, use the state’s budget surplus to cut property taxes, and repeal the Long-Term Care Trust Act and employee tax.
Fixing our housing crisis
We need to create housing opportunity zones, expedite housing permits, and expand development boundaries.
Empowering all families
Help students recover from learning loss, provide school choice, and expand the working families tax credit.
Making communities safer
We need to confront drug addiction, close encampments, put more officers on the streets, address the rise in auto thefts, and allow police pursuits.
This is a long, 105-day legislative session. Your feedback and input is very much appreciated as I represent your voice in Olympia. Throughout the session, my 9th Legislative District seatmates and I will provide occasional articles for your local papers. If you haven’t had the chance to read our joint article in your local paper yet, you can click here to read it.
Another hearing on HB 1178 will take place on January 27th. You can watch the debate live at https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2023011516.
