There you go again
Reading the Oct. 5 letter opposing I-1639 reminded me of President Reagan’s quip, “There you go again.”
The claim that I-1639 “mandates concealed carry permits before handgun purchases” is nonsense; this requirement is already existing state law (RCW 9.41.090).
I-1639 does, however, would require an extended background check and training for anyone who purchases a semiautomatic weapon.
The letter objects to to both requirements, seemingly preferring the present state of affairs — anyone can easily buy a semiautomatic rifle, then perhaps use it at a kindergarten, church service or in the local supermarket.
And God forbid that there be any requirement for safety training or any requirement for safe storage for mass-killing machines.
We are warned that “authoritarian” I-1639 “inconveniences” law-abiding people; would preventing Sandy Hook not have been worth a little inconvenience?
And just in time for Halloween, the letter grimly warns us that I-1639 puts a gun owner at risk of becoming “a Class C felon.”
Fact: I-1639 provides that someone knowingly leaving a firearm in a location where a prohibited person may get access to it is guilty of community endangerment in the first degree if the prohibited person uses the firearm to cause personal injury or death.
For this to happen, a gun would have to be left unsafely stored, the theft unreported for five days, and the thief would have to shoot someone.
Store safely, report theft if it happens, no problem.
Get the facts about I-1639.
Please join me in voting yes.
Aaron Barnes,
Sequim