Spread the word about I-1639

[Skookum]

When are ballots mailed out?

[Rcher]

It passed... WA is new California now

[double-d]

It passed... WA is new California now

Now it is a matter of finding out exactly what this means. 
The age limit is self explanatory. What I'm wondering about is the safe storage, testing requirement, enhanced background checks, etc. provisions in the bill.  There has been A LOT of misinformation provided by both sides and I am eager to learn what is what without the included chaff. 

[Rcher]

It passed... WA is new California now

Now it is a matter of finding out exactly what this means. 
The age limit is self explanatory. What I'm wondering about is the safe storage, testing requirement, enhanced background checks, etc. provisions in the bill.  There has been A LOT of misinformation provided by both sides and I am eager to learn what is what without the included chaff.

You can search the text of I-1639 online. There's a lot of text and it takes time to read and compare with current laws. My biggest concerns are:

(1) Every semiautomatic rifle (including Marlin .22lr) is considered "assault rifle" now. With Dems strengthened majority in WA State Senate and House they can pass now any law to ban or restrict "assault rifles" (I'm afraid they will ban "high capacity magazines" first.)

(2) Background check will include now local police/medical history check (you'll waive privacy on your medical records when you buy "semiautomatic rifle"). They told that it's similar to the background check when you buy handguns, but with CPL (concealed pistol license) you avoid local check for handguns and only need to renew your CPL every 5 years. Having CPL won't help you if you buy rifles - they will make local background check with every purchase. And they will charge you with additional $25 fee for this check. They will also create some kind of "assault rifles registry", so that local authorities can check who owns guns on yearly basis.

(3) Requirements to complete "Rifle safety class" every 5 years. It's not clear how they will force it for people who already own rifles.

(4) Safe storage requirements. While it is not explicitly defined what is considered "safe", they  can make changes in future "what is licensed or considered secure". So, if you already spent your money on gun cabinet or safe (being responsible person) you might throw it away cause it is "not secure enough" in future

In general, I feel bad that this initiative was approved with 60% of voters. It would be extremely hard to overturn it in courts if anyone ever try to do.

[Trblshtr]

If I-1639 is to be overturned, it will likely have to be done at the federal level as being uncompliant with the United States Constitution.  At the state level the best argument against is that the petition drive to put I-1639 on the ballot did not conform to Washington statute regarding the form of the petition.  This objection has already been litigated and a lower court held that the vote could go forward, but I would hope that this decision could be appealed to the Washington Supreme Court, even after the election.  Again I would hope that body would be guided by the rule of law rather than politicized emotionalism.

Edit: Strike that. I forgot the WaSC had already blown the opportunity to follow the law.

[Rcher]

According to https://preciseshooter.com/  there's a loophole in I-1639: you can still buy lower receivers, which are considered as "Other" not as "Rifles". And in theory you can build a bolt-action rifle on top of it So, buying lower receiver won't be impacted with this stupid initiative. More people will build on top of AR-15 platform, but sorry Ruger 10/22 fans -you will be hurt with I-1639.

[inthevalley]

According to https://preciseshooter.com/  there's a loophole in I-1639: you can still buy lower receivers, which are considered as "Other" not as "Rifles". And in theory you can build a bolt-action rifle on top of it So, buying lower receiver won't be impacted with this stupid initiative. More people will build on top of AR-15 platform, but sorry Ruger 10/22 fans -you will be hurt with I-1639.

i think they will be OK:

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/rifle-receivers/brn-22-stripped-receiver-for-ruger-10-22--prod116208.aspx

[2bfree]

Initiative 1639 passed last week with 60 percent of the vote. It bars the sale of semi-automatic rifles to people under 21 and to people who don?t live in Washington, and it requires buyers to pass an enhanced background check and prove they have taken a firearms training course.

The NRA and the Bellevue, Washington-based Second Amendment Foundation sued in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday, saying the measure violates the right to bear arms and strays into the regulation of interstate commerce, which is the province of the federal government.

[Rcher]

I don't like everything what YankeeMarshal says, but he's mobilizing gun community in his own way.

So he is asking gun channels to support 1639 Legal Defense Fund, organized by Daniel Mitchell (he's local guy from Sporting Systems)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJIzXP1NRCg

And here's a direct link to donate to this case:
https://www.gofundme.com/1639-legal-defense-fund

Any $ matter (I've sent my $50), I think if more people participate (even with $5 donations) it is better than asking $100,000 from billionaires.
If you can't donate - please share this information.

We should defeat this threat in WA!