Gun control bill a tough sell even to Democrats
According to an article in today's Seattle P-I, Democratic legislative leaders are predicting Senator Tom's SB5197 will finally get a vote in the Senate but will likely die in the House, where Speaker Chopp says many in his own caucus oppose it. The bill, which has often been proposed in recent years but always been bottled-up in committee, would require sellers at gun shows to conduct the same background checks as is currently required of standard gun retailers. The aim of the bill is to make sure convicted felons cannot purchase firearms using the so-called "gun show loophole," but its critics consider it government oversight of private transactions.
Personally, I'm quite surprised this bill is so controversial. While I admit that gun control is one of the issues I'm not so libertarian on (and a reason I don't quite jive with the LP), the idea seems like common sense to me. Am I wrong on this?
Labels: Gun Rights, Legislature
posted by TMW @ 3:00 PM
4 Comments:
TMW,
It's not so much about being right or wrong on this issue, it's that "Gun Control" is one of the few issues that will bring voters out of the boonies to the ballot box.
While it may seem like common sense to have the same checks at a gun show, try explaining that to the thousands of gun enthusiasts who only vote on one issue: 2nd Amendment Rights.
Democrats are messing with fire on this--and I don't just mean figuratively.
I suppose you're right on that, now that Democrats have begun to infiltrate typically-Republican areas, they probably need to tread lightly. Fortunately for them, Chopp seems loath to push it.
Gun control is simply bad public policy and politics. Democrats would be well advised to embrace a pro-Second Amendment stance.
TMW,
I think you nailed it. I would support closing the loophole, but it's far from the most important thing the legislature could do to reduce gun crime in the state. Although some of the things that actually would work to reduce crime (spending money to improve programs that assist recently released felons re-assimilate) might also be tough to do politically.
Post a Comment
<< Home