Do our state representatives fulfill their oaths of office?
While not specifically required to take an oath, it’s been the practice of all legislators to take the same oath as the executive branch.
They swear to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and the laws of Washington.
Let’s look at District 24 representatives’ voting records on gun laws.
Both Mike Chapman and Steve Tharinger voted yes to HB 1240 this session, HB 1630 in 2022, SB 5078 in 2022, HB 1705 in 2022, HB 2467 in 2020, and HB 1010 in 2020.
All these bills were designed to impair or prohibit the ease and ability to purchase, transfer, build, transport, carry, and otherwise use firearms.
Our Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees our right to keep and bear arms, and our State Constitution says our right to keep and bear arms shall not be impaired.
These legislators are in violation of their oaths.
Further, in the 1939 United States v. Miller case before the Supreme Court, the attorneys for the United States argued that the Second Amendment applies to military style weapons suitable for use in a militia.
So I think that means that any ban on high capacity magazines and assault weapons are blatantly unconstitutional.
If not, why are police and military exempt?
But if you need our representatives to ban plastic bags, or make sure our K-12 kids get sex education, then these are your guys.
If you question them, they won’t answer, or maybe they just won’t answer me.
Give it a try.
Ask them how they reconcile their oath with their voting record.
Mark A. White
Port Angeles