Omega113
Member
Henry, good thought
Carnaby, thanks man
I'm going to go ahead and draft the petition and then ill throw the link up on here
Carnaby, thanks man
I'm going to go ahead and draft the petition and then ill throw the link up on here
Let's Change Washington State's Silencer Laws
- Thread starter carnaby
- Start date
- Status
Omega113
Member
Okay so I set up the petition on petitions online
here is the URL
http://www.petitiononline.com/suppress/petition.html
Please spread the word and lets get this changed
here is the URL
http://www.petitiononline.com/suppress/petition.html
Please spread the word and lets get this changed
Omega113
Member
Alright ladies and gentlemen we now have 10 signatures on the petition, so lets keep the momentum going, spread the word and really drive this home to our state officials!
OP
OP
carnaby
Member
I'm signed up.
testar77
Member
Make that 13 
Omega113
Member
Sweet we are now up to twenty and still rocking.
Cold Water on Suppressors.
This is a example of a stupid law for sure, you can have a suppressor, but can't use it.
Here is a question, what is the penalty for using a registered silencer?
Generally the public perception is the only reason someone wants a suppressor is so that they can quitely kill someone.
What I would consider is a bill increasing penalties for the use of a silencer in a crime and provide legal exceptions for lawful use.
Using a silencer for instance would indicate premediatation to commit murder.
Does Washington state have a intiative process? Might be a way to build a functional firearms rights base by giving them something to unite on.
Nicki
This is a example of a stupid law for sure, you can have a suppressor, but can't use it.
Here is a question, what is the penalty for using a registered silencer?
Generally the public perception is the only reason someone wants a suppressor is so that they can quitely kill someone.
What I would consider is a bill increasing penalties for the use of a silencer in a crime and provide legal exceptions for lawful use.
Using a silencer for instance would indicate premediatation to commit murder.
Does Washington state have a intiative process? Might be a way to build a functional firearms rights base by giving them something to unite on.
Nicki
Diamondback6
Member
We do have an initiative process, but we also have a Legislature and Supreme Court actively working to subvert it every time we pass something they don't like, like a Supreme Court ruling about "they didn't know what they were voting for and we have to protect the proles from themselves." Umm, I knew exactly what I was voting for, that's why I voted for it, ya elitist scum! Ya think?!
Anyone ever been in touch with Tim Eyman? Maybe he could give us some ideas...
Anyone ever been in touch with Tim Eyman? Maybe he could give us some ideas...
Jacka L Ope
Member
#27.
Another source of possible support may the Washington Arms Collectors. They're very active in Washington politics in support of the 2nd.
http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/
Another source of possible support may the Washington Arms Collectors. They're very active in Washington politics in support of the 2nd.
http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/
Diamondback6
Member
I'm a WAC member, and while the organization's favorably disposed to the idea, our "ground-game" is almost always defensive, having to fight against the perennial "gun show loophole" and "assault weapons" crap the Democrazies are always trying to shove through.
We may be able to get some ideas, maybe access to their mailing-list and possibly an op-ed. We also should post this in GOAL-WA at Yahoo!Groups...
We may be able to get some ideas, maybe access to their mailing-list and possibly an op-ed. We also should post this in GOAL-WA at Yahoo!Groups...
Omega113
Member
Hell yes, we are now at 91 signatures and growing!!!!!!!!!
Great support people lets keep this going and really give it our all.
Great support people lets keep this going and really give it our all.
testar77
Member
How many are needed?
MD_Willington
Member
#159 !
OP
OP
carnaby
Member
# 149 is Seung Cho.
Is there any way to delete obviously bogus entries? And as if suppressors would have made a difference to Cho. He wanted to kill/hurt as many as possible and then kill himself. What difference would having a suppressor have made to him? He would only have prevented the hearing damage suffered by those who survived his massacre... something I doubt he'd be interested in.
Is there any way to delete obviously bogus entries? And as if suppressors would have made a difference to Cho. He wanted to kill/hurt as many as possible and then kill himself. What difference would having a suppressor have made to him? He would only have prevented the hearing damage suffered by those who survived his massacre... something I doubt he'd be interested in.
Omega113
Member
Alright lets see if we can get this above 200 before i send it off (i would like at least 500) we are at 167 now.
And carnaby, sorry i cant get it off of there, some people just don't have any taste.
And carnaby, sorry i cant get it off of there, some people just don't have any taste.
Henry Bowman
Senior Member
#172
MrPeter
Member
<-- # 204
It sure would make my day if this got changed. Then I wouldn't be so eager to leave WA.
It sure would make my day if this got changed. Then I wouldn't be so eager to leave WA.
I moved from Hawaii to WA back in 1999. Since then I have built several silencers but can only use them when I travel to another state. I heard that silencer use was banned back in 1934 when some poachers were arrested and using silencers to help cover their crimes.
Back in 1994 when machine guns and short barreled rifles/shotguns were made contraband, I think they forgot to include silencers and AOW's because they thought they were already illegal. I came to this conclusion when I was trying to drum up support for a letter writing campaign to change the law banning use. I was told by a few people to keep my mouth shut as most of the Reps in Olympia did not know silencers were legal to own. Anyway, a few years ago a law sponsored by Senator Hargrove did not make it out of the Judiciary. The letters I wrote did not get any replies.
I signed the petition but am not holding my breath. Thanks.
Ranb
Back in 1994 when machine guns and short barreled rifles/shotguns were made contraband, I think they forgot to include silencers and AOW's because they thought they were already illegal. I came to this conclusion when I was trying to drum up support for a letter writing campaign to change the law banning use. I was told by a few people to keep my mouth shut as most of the Reps in Olympia did not know silencers were legal to own. Anyway, a few years ago a law sponsored by Senator Hargrove did not make it out of the Judiciary. The letters I wrote did not get any replies.
I signed the petition but am not holding my breath. Thanks.
Ranb
RickH
Member
Maybe a different tack could be used. It sounds like this law makes it illegal to shoot through a tube of car tires. As discussed in this other forums thread:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=23982
Perhaps we could propose legalization of these tire things as a way to mitigate sound at outdoor/backyard ranges, and in a somewhat sneaky manner legalize all suppressors? Just a thought.
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=23982
Perhaps we could propose legalization of these tire things as a way to mitigate sound at outdoor/backyard ranges, and in a somewhat sneaky manner legalize all suppressors? Just a thought.
John E Davies
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2008
- Messages
- 7
Hi;
I'm new to the HighRoad and I joined up so I could post in this thread. Sorry, it's going to be long.
I started a thread at Adventure Rider that links here and it has generated some interest and signatures. You can check it out here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334027
I wrote to Chris Marr and my other local reps and I received an interesting email today from Mr Marr's assistant, Barb Bumann. I have attached my original letter also, which is a slightly modified and lengthened version of the excellent original posted here - thanks for the help! If anyone wants to use any of the content of my letter, go ahead, but change the personal stuff please!
Would anyone like to comment on Barb's reply to me? At the very least this shows that our reps DO listen to the folks who contact them, so please send a letter ASAP. You can go here to locate your reps and send emails:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/default.aspx
I have neither the political initiative nor the free time to push this through... maybe someone here or someone you know does - talk to your buddies. I will, however, make up a flyer to post at my local range (Spokane Rifle Range) to alert members to the situation. If you folks can do the same, this might work.
John Davies
Spokane WA
____________________________________
Dear Mr. Davies,
Thank you for writing. Everything you say about this potential
legislation makes sense. However, I followed up to see what became of
SB 5167 (it was proposed before Sen. Marr was elected to office) and saw
that it only had one sponsor and never made it out of committee. This
usually indicates that it didn't have a tremendous amount of support,
either from the public or within the legislature. That doesn't
necessarily mean that people wouldn't have supported it -- had they
known about it.
Our experience in Olympia has been that legislation like this has a
better chance to succeed if there is a person or group willing to "work"
it. Do you belong to a group or organization of sport shooters that
might be willing to do the work to push a bill like this through?
Citizen activists are responsible for a tremendous amount of legislation
that gets passed in this state. A good example is the two "moms" from
Spokane who pushed through a bill last year to restore libraries in
Spokane schools, or the owners of Dry Fly Distilling in Spokane, who
worked with us to get the liquor laws changed to treat
micro-distilleries the same as micro-breweries or wineries.
Let me know if you think this issue has "legs," -- i.e. the support
locally and/or statewide for passage, and we can talk with Sen. Marr
about his recommendations for sponsorship.
Thanks again for your thoughtful email,
Barb
Barb Bumann
Legislative Assistant to
Sen. Chris Marr
6th Legislative District
360-786-7610 (Olympia)
509-456-2450 (Spokane)
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 9:04 PM
To: Marr, Sen. Chris
Cc: Barlow, Rep. Don; Ahern, Rep. John
Subject: Legalize firearm suppressor use
TO: Senator Chris Marr
CC: Representative Don Barlow
Representative John Ahern
SUBJECT: Legalize firearm suppressor use
Dear Senators and Representatives,
I am a long time shooting-sports enthusiast. In spite of habitual use of
hearing protection, I suffer from chronic hearing problems (tinitus and
hearing loss), For these and many other reasons, I strongly encourage
you to support legislation, such as bill SB 5167 - 2005-06 sponsored by
Senator Hargrove in 2006, to decriminalize the use of firearm sound
suppression devices that are already legally owned.
SB 5167 would have amended RCW 9.41.250 to read:
"(3) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any
firearm <<< unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in
accordance with federal law >>>, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor
punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW."
You may be unaware that these devices are often incorrectly labeled as
"silencers" when they in fact do nothing of the sort. They simply reduce
the sound intensity of a shot from a level that is highly ear damaging
to one that is still very loud, but below levels that cause immediate or
long term hearing loss.
As an ex-aircraft mechanic, I understand the physics of sound
suppression. I also know that in Europe, the use of firearm sound
suppressors is simply considered good manners, since it decreases the
environmental and social impact of responsible firearm use.
In Finland, for example, studies determined that legalization of firearm
sound suppressors did not encourage criminal activity of any kind -
rather it proved very beneficial to sportsmen, the police, and anyone
within earshot of a gun blast. The study specifically reported that use
of firearm sound suppressors does not encourage poaching because a sound
suppressor cannot remove the loud sonic crack of a hunting bullet
traveling faster than the speed of sound (which is characteristic of all
big-game hunting rifle bullets).
Current Washington state law calls for fines of up to $1000 and/ or up
to 90 days in jail for using a suppressed handgun or long gun, even when
the device was legally acquired (complying with all Federal laws, and
after the buyer passed an extensive FBI background check). State law
does not, however, make possession illegal. A gun owner must travel out
of state to actually use his expensive legally acquired, legally owned
suppressor. Can you see the contradiction here?
I encourage you to please examine this issue, and to encourage and act
on future legislation. This is not a gun-control issue, but a health and
environment issue. In addition, decriminalization of the use of legally
obtained and registered suppressors could go a long way toward improving
public opinion regarding long established gun ranges throughout the
state, especially in urban areas..
As a current and future constituent, .I thank you very much for
considering and supporting this legislation.
John Davies
I'm new to the HighRoad and I joined up so I could post in this thread. Sorry, it's going to be long.
I started a thread at Adventure Rider that links here and it has generated some interest and signatures. You can check it out here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334027
I wrote to Chris Marr and my other local reps and I received an interesting email today from Mr Marr's assistant, Barb Bumann. I have attached my original letter also, which is a slightly modified and lengthened version of the excellent original posted here - thanks for the help! If anyone wants to use any of the content of my letter, go ahead, but change the personal stuff please!
Would anyone like to comment on Barb's reply to me? At the very least this shows that our reps DO listen to the folks who contact them, so please send a letter ASAP. You can go here to locate your reps and send emails:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/default.aspx
I have neither the political initiative nor the free time to push this through... maybe someone here or someone you know does - talk to your buddies. I will, however, make up a flyer to post at my local range (Spokane Rifle Range) to alert members to the situation. If you folks can do the same, this might work.
John Davies
Spokane WA
____________________________________
Dear Mr. Davies,
Thank you for writing. Everything you say about this potential
legislation makes sense. However, I followed up to see what became of
SB 5167 (it was proposed before Sen. Marr was elected to office) and saw
that it only had one sponsor and never made it out of committee. This
usually indicates that it didn't have a tremendous amount of support,
either from the public or within the legislature. That doesn't
necessarily mean that people wouldn't have supported it -- had they
known about it.
Our experience in Olympia has been that legislation like this has a
better chance to succeed if there is a person or group willing to "work"
it. Do you belong to a group or organization of sport shooters that
might be willing to do the work to push a bill like this through?
Citizen activists are responsible for a tremendous amount of legislation
that gets passed in this state. A good example is the two "moms" from
Spokane who pushed through a bill last year to restore libraries in
Spokane schools, or the owners of Dry Fly Distilling in Spokane, who
worked with us to get the liquor laws changed to treat
micro-distilleries the same as micro-breweries or wineries.
Let me know if you think this issue has "legs," -- i.e. the support
locally and/or statewide for passage, and we can talk with Sen. Marr
about his recommendations for sponsorship.
Thanks again for your thoughtful email,
Barb
Barb Bumann
Legislative Assistant to
Sen. Chris Marr
6th Legislative District
360-786-7610 (Olympia)
509-456-2450 (Spokane)
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 9:04 PM
To: Marr, Sen. Chris
Cc: Barlow, Rep. Don; Ahern, Rep. John
Subject: Legalize firearm suppressor use
TO: Senator Chris Marr
CC: Representative Don Barlow
Representative John Ahern
SUBJECT: Legalize firearm suppressor use
Dear Senators and Representatives,
I am a long time shooting-sports enthusiast. In spite of habitual use of
hearing protection, I suffer from chronic hearing problems (tinitus and
hearing loss), For these and many other reasons, I strongly encourage
you to support legislation, such as bill SB 5167 - 2005-06 sponsored by
Senator Hargrove in 2006, to decriminalize the use of firearm sound
suppression devices that are already legally owned.
SB 5167 would have amended RCW 9.41.250 to read:
"(3) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any
firearm <<< unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in
accordance with federal law >>>, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor
punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW."
You may be unaware that these devices are often incorrectly labeled as
"silencers" when they in fact do nothing of the sort. They simply reduce
the sound intensity of a shot from a level that is highly ear damaging
to one that is still very loud, but below levels that cause immediate or
long term hearing loss.
As an ex-aircraft mechanic, I understand the physics of sound
suppression. I also know that in Europe, the use of firearm sound
suppressors is simply considered good manners, since it decreases the
environmental and social impact of responsible firearm use.
In Finland, for example, studies determined that legalization of firearm
sound suppressors did not encourage criminal activity of any kind -
rather it proved very beneficial to sportsmen, the police, and anyone
within earshot of a gun blast. The study specifically reported that use
of firearm sound suppressors does not encourage poaching because a sound
suppressor cannot remove the loud sonic crack of a hunting bullet
traveling faster than the speed of sound (which is characteristic of all
big-game hunting rifle bullets).
Current Washington state law calls for fines of up to $1000 and/ or up
to 90 days in jail for using a suppressed handgun or long gun, even when
the device was legally acquired (complying with all Federal laws, and
after the buyer passed an extensive FBI background check). State law
does not, however, make possession illegal. A gun owner must travel out
of state to actually use his expensive legally acquired, legally owned
suppressor. Can you see the contradiction here?
I encourage you to please examine this issue, and to encourage and act
on future legislation. This is not a gun-control issue, but a health and
environment issue. In addition, decriminalization of the use of legally
obtained and registered suppressors could go a long way toward improving
public opinion regarding long established gun ranges throughout the
state, especially in urban areas..
As a current and future constituent, .I thank you very much for
considering and supporting this legislation.
John Davies
- Status
