A Senator's response
Dear Michael,
Thank you for writing to me in opposition to Senate Bill 6396, a measure that would ban assault weapons. I too oppose this bill and hope it meets the same fate as the 2005 assault weapons ban legislation, Senate Bill 5475, which died in committee. I do not believe that this proposed legislation will do anything to curb crime.
Although this bill has been introduced in the wake of the police officer killings as a remedy for these tragedies, I realize it does not address the firearms used in those murders. The four Lakewood police officers were killed with a revolver and a stolen 9mm pistol - the primary weapon was the six-shot revolver. The rifle used to kill the Seattle police officer does not meet "assault weapon" criteria in SB 6396. Officer Brenton was killed by a type of rifle owned by thousands of law-abiding Washington hunters, competitors and recreational target shooters.
Two bills have been introduced that really could help prevent these tragedies in the future, without imposing restrictions on law-abiding citizens:
Senate Bill 6203 - This measure would create a scoring system based on an offender's misdemeanor domestic violence history when determining a felony domestic violence sentence. The goal is to keep chronic abusers in jail longer and allow their victims to start a new life. Deputy Mundell was shot while responding to a domestic violence call concerning a repeat offender.
Senate Joint Memorial 8218 - This measure is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit bail for offenses that may result in a mandatory life sentence upon conviction. The killer of the four Lakewood Police Officers would not have been able to bail out of jail had this provision been in place.
In my opinion, even holding a public hearing on Senate Bill 6396 is a waste of time. Legislators should be focused on solving the budget crisis with reforms - not taxes - and taking steps to help our business community retain and create new jobs.
Again, I appreciate your input and hope you will write again, should you have any other concerns.
Respectfully,
Senator Dan Swecker
20th Legislative District
103 IRV Newhouse Building
PO Box 40420
Olympia, WA. 98504-0420
Office: (360) 786.7638
Fax: (360) 786.7819
swecker.dan@leg.wa.gov
http://www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov/swecker/