Washington: Gun-Free Zone Expansion & Firearms Seizure Bills Up For Vote Soon

[Charlie T Waite]

On March 9^th, Senate Bill 5434 to expand arbitrary boundaries where law-abiding citizens would be unable to defend themselves and Senate Bill 5745 to expand the program to seize firearms without due process were pulled from the Senate Rules Committee and may receive floor votes as early as tomorrow, March 11^th.  Please contact your state Senator and urge them to OPPOSE SB 5434 and SB 5745.  Click the “Take Action” button to contact your state Senator.

The Substitute to Senate Bill 5434, sponsored by Senator Claire Wilson (D-30), would increase the areas where law-abiding citizens are prohibited from possessing firearms, including holders of a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) carrying a handgun for self-defense.  It would allow local governments to make public parks and recreational facilities into “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens would be unable to defend themselves and their loved ones against criminals who simply ignore such arbitrary boundaries.  In addition, it would mandate that child care facilities be “gun-free zones” and post signs indicating so.

Senate Bill 5745, sponsored by Senator Marko Liias (D-21), would expand Washington’s existing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) to allow Second Amendment rights to be suspended for individuals alleged to make certain threats by third party accusers with little, if any, real evidence and limited “due process” for the respondent.  Hearings for the orders would be ex parte, where the respondent would not be present to challenge the accuser and defend against allegations made against them.  The issuance of an order would immediately prohibit the respondent from exercising their Second Amendment rights.  The Right to Keep and Bear Arms should not be treated as a second-class right and should only be restricted consistent with the constitutional requirements of due process.

Again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Senator and urge them to OPPOSE SB 5434 and SB 5745.