Anti-gun Democrat lawmakers in Washington State are rushing to pass legislation that would ban so-called “large capacity magazines” and the open carry of firearms at gun rights rallies anywhere in the state, but especially at the Capitol in Olympia.
The state Senate Law & Justice Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5078, which deals with magazines, Monday morning. Gun owners may still go here to comment on the measure. Testimony was split between those advocating for the measure on public safety grounds and those opposed to the bill, arguing that it will not prevent crime and may not even be constitutional.
In an email blast from the Seattle-based gun prohibition lobby supporting this ban, they acknowledge, “Our opponents have organized their supporters to sign in against these commonsense measures by a margin of 5 to 1.” However, grassroots activists are using social media to remind gun owners to not allow this admission to make them complacent.
On Tuesday, the Senate Law & Justice Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 5038, which would prohibit open carry at gun rights rallies, and within 1,000 feet of such events.
SB 5038 bill includes this language:
“Unless exempted in (c) of this subsection, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly open carry a firearm or any weapon as described in this chapter while participating in or attending any demonstration being held at a public place. This subsection (2)(a) applies whether the person carries the weapon on his or her person or in a vehicle.
“(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly open carry a firearm or any weapon within 1,000 feet of a demonstration at a public place after a duly authorized state or local law enforcement officer advises the person of the demonstration and directs the person to leave until he or she no longer possesses or controls a weapon. This subsection (2)(b) does not apply to any person possessing or controlling any weapon inside a private dwelling, building, or structure.”
An executive session is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m. by the Senate Law & Justice Committee to consider both pieces of legislation, so rights activists are moving fast to defeat the bill. However, with a Democrat majority, this may be an uphill battle.
Evergreen State Democrats are putting the rush on every piece of gun control legislation they can, it appears. The absence this year of former State Rep. Brian Blake, a pro-Second Amendment Grays Harbor Democrat who was a voice of common sense in the Democrat caucus, will be felt. His seat went to Republican Joel McEntire in November as the state’s 19th District has become more conservative.
