BELLEVUE, WA – A suspicious incident that occurred recently at the Seattle offices of the League of Women Voters (LVW) is now being exploited by the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility (WAGR), the group behind Initiative 594 to gain support and raise funds for its gun control campaign, and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is challenging the group to “put its money where its mouth is.”
A perforated target was allegedly slipped under the door at the LVW office and reported to the police. Holes in the target were apparently made with either bullets or pellets. There was no accompanying note left with the target, and no witnesses or suspects. The incident happened after I-591 treasurer Phil Watson inquired why the LVW recently sought to moderate a debate of the two initiatives after having already endorsed I-594 and opposed I-591.
“Rather than use this alleged incident to fatten their $2.7 million dollar campaign war chest with email appeals for sympathy and more money, they should offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of whoever perpetrated the alleged threat,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb.
I-594 is an 18-page gun control measure ostensibly aimed at requiring so-called “universal background checks” for every firearm transfer in Washington State. It is supported by anti-gun New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s “Everytown for Gun Safety” multi-million-dollar lobbying group.
CCRKBA is part of a grassroots coalition of gun collectors, hunters, competitors and rank-and-file law enforcement professionals called Protect Our Gun Rights. They, along with the Washington State Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association and Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, representing some 4,500 members statewide, support I-591 while opposing I-594.
“Experienced gun owners have questioned whether or not this was actually the work of anyone even slightly familiar with firearms,” Gottlieb said, intimating the incident may have been a publicity stunt. “Rather, it seems more likely to be a stunt perpetrated by proponents of 594 seeking attention. It’s the kind of juvenile prank that only anti-gun elitists would find credible. I’m betting they won’t offer the reward.
“I’m sure pro-gun activists would happily loan a lawfully owned firearm to any of their volunteers or workers who genuinely felt threatened; however, the measure they’re backing would actually prevent us from doing that,” Gottlieb said.
I-591 is endorsed by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Firearm Collectors and Shooters Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, Gun Owners Action League of Washington, Hunters Heritage Council, Second Amendment Sisters, Washington Arms Collectors, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS), Washington State Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association (WSLEFIA), Washington State Rifle and Pistol Association, and many community and civic leaders.
