I am writing concerning two pending bills SB 5038 and SB 5078 before the Washington Senate.
I am a native Washingtonian, but grew up in Minnesota and have just recently moved back here in my retirement.
Growing up, my father owned rifles and I was taught to shoot at a very young age, so I come from the perspective that there is nothing wrong with owning firearms, but that they have their proper time and place of usage, which I was taught was for hunting, or to ward off or eliminate the threat of dangerous wild animals.
My father was a former Marine in WWII, and crack shot, as are two of my sons, who both served in the military.
However, I do see that in our current society people are taking liberties with firearms which in the end infringe on others’ rights, do damage to society-at-large, and are being used to intimidate others, or are bandied about as a power ploy.
We need to return to the attitude that owning a firearm is a serious responsibility and firearms have their place and appropriate usage.
There is absolutely no harm in passing legislation that sets the record straight on this and makes it clear when and where a firearm is to be used and what firearms are appropriate for the general public.
Teresa Fane,
Sequim