Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
A new proposed law smells like tyranny.
House Bill 1283 would make it illegal for three people or more to open-carry firearms if someone else “feels threatened.” It would be a gross misdemeanor.
If a person in “any way participates” in threats or the use of “such force” against a person or property while open-carrying a gun in a group of three or more, then they face a Class C felony. That means the state strips them of their right to own firearms as a convicted felon.
The bill seems to be targeting the groups of legal firearm users protesting in Olympia. Many protesters at the Gun Rights Coalition rally at the capitol on Feb. 17, 2020, did so while openly carrying firearms. It was legal and no one got shot.
That changes to being illegal if H.B. 1283 passes.
The house bill is poorly written. It doesn’t exempt police. It is redundant as to people making threats with a firearm. It is already illegal. And, it’s illegal to shoot people, property and inside most city limits.
The only point of the bill is to keep people from gathering with firearms.
It is going to make it difficult for people shooting at gun ranges, skeet shooting or hunting. If there are more than three people, they could be arrested and convicted of misdemeanors if someone says they feel “threatened” by their open-carrying of firearms.
Imagine the extremist anti-hunter or anti-gun person using this law. To some, just the sight of guns makes them feel “threatened.”
It’s hard to prove emotions in court.
While a proposed law written this badly shouldn’t pass, it’s starting to move forward without much public involvement. The House Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary had an executive session on it, and have two more executive sessions scheduled.
Their meetings don’t seem to meet the legal criteria on when a closed-door or executive session can be held, but they are doing it. The six Republicans on the committee should be able to remind the 11 Democrats that their meetings should be open to the public.
If it makes it to the floor, the Democrats are the majority and could pass it. It’s doubtful Gov. Jay Inslee would veto it.
The Democrats are targeting legal gun owners using firearms who are not causing any harm.
But, if one person, legitimately or who just opposes their protest, says they feel threatened then they can call police and have them arrested. It seems a single person’s feelings are more important than the constitutional rights of three or more people.
– Bill Stevenson is the editor of the Whitman County Gazette. Email him at [email protected].
Bill Stevenson is the editor of Franklin Connection and the Whitman County Gazette. He has served as a TV news director, managing editor for a daily newspaper and national magazines for motorcycles and ATVs. He built an online news service in Grant County and has more than 20 years of journalism experience in Central Washington, from Oroville to Tri-Cities.
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