I-1639 is a bad law that attacks our rights

If you value your civil rights, then please vote no on I-1639.

I-1639 is an attack on every person who values their constitutionally guaranteed rights – it taxes the right to own common firearms and illegally seizes rifles already owned by 18-to-20-year-old adults, who are responsible enough to serve in foreign wars and defend America with government issued weapons.

It is the worst kind of law aimed at our most law-abiding citizens, who have already undergone background checks. And it targets the victims of burglary with criminal charges if the thief uses a stolen firearm in a crime.

I-1639 is only on the ballot because its supporters have misled the public by stating that it is about “assault rifles.” It does not regulate assault rifles, instead it names every semi-auto rifle made since 1900, including small .22-caliber plinking rifles and regulates these common recreational, hunting and self-defense firearms.

Law enforcement opposes it because it is a bad law. The Washington State Sheriffs’ Association, the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs and the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association have all taken positions against I-1639.

I-1639 does nothing to improve school safety, does not deal with criminals who use firearms and has no public safety value. This is not assault weapon regulation, it is an assault on the good citizens of Washington. This really is nothing less than another attack on the Second Amendment.

If we allow them to destroy the Second Amendment, which constitutional right will be next to go? Please, vote no on I-1639.

– Brent Benson


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