Federal Assault Weapons Ban | Be a Seed for Change

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

repost …

another day another shooting!!!

we need folks to push for Gun Reform

As more Americans watch, wait and wonder when Congress will take a stand on gun control, more say there is absolutely no reason a civilian should own or have access to an assault weapon. The fact is assault weapons; the standard infantry combat choice for most modern armies has no place in a civil society. Police already have trouble protecting and serving our communities against illegal (hand) guns, legislation that broadly regulates the firearms industry (ammunition) and firearms owners let alone automatic weapons solely made and meant to kill people quickly.

We have also been asking for some time now, at what point will our (rational, sane & educated) members of Congress, the firearm industry(ammunition) and gun owners stand up speak up or out over the current stalemate to move gun laws into the 21st Century. The NRA has clung on to power by holding an archaic law over the heads of Americans, as well as being a thorn in all our sides, spending millions lobbying for gun rights while controlling votes in Congress.

The Second Amendment, states: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Is it possible that this amendment is in dire need of a revaluation for the lives of our citizens in this 21st Century with all the new guns& weapons now available.

In 1994, Congress added a background check system to strengthen our existing laws to keep guns out of the hands of felons, drug abusers, and the mentally ill.

In 2004, Congress let the assault weapons ban expire. It is time to recognize and change the flaws in the background check system that have been exposed again and again over the years, in the massacres at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Arizona, Michigan, Washington state ,Colorado, Indiana, Portland, China, Chicago, Newtown CT,DC ,LAX airport, families all over this country, Young Black Males and some White males

If not now when, is a good question.

written 7/26/12

In 1994, I faced a difficult decision: do the right thing and cast the deciding vote for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban — likely losing my congressional re-election in the process — or take the politically easy route and vote against it.

I voted for it. And to this day I stand by my position supporting commonsense, responsible gun safety legislation.

Now in the state of Washington, we all have a chance to do the right thing by supporting I-594, an initiative requiring criminal background checks for gun purchases in our state.

Passing I-594 won’t be easy. Our opponents are rallying to try to stop us, even going so far as to declare December 15 — one year and one day after the Sandy Hook massacre that left 20 people dead — “Guns Save Lives Day” in an effort to build opposition to sensible gun reform laws.

Don’t let the gun lobby and the gun makers profit off the anniversary of one of the worst tragedies our nation has ever known. Sign the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s open letter today, and demand the gun lobbyists cancel their outrageous “Guns Save Lives Day.”

Look, we have plenty of responsible gun owners in Washington, and an overwhelming majority of them support criminal background checks because they’re responsible gun owners.

Not the sponsors of “Guns Save Lives Day.” There is nothing responsible about exploiting the death of innocent little children — even worse when it’s done to stop reforms that could prevent future tragedies. They should cancel this horrific excuse to celebrate guns, and stop spreading misinformation about responsible, reasonable reforms like I-594.

Join me and tell the gun lobby this is completely unacceptable. Sign the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s open letter now, and demand the gun lobbyists cancel “Guns Save Lives Day” now.

Responsible gun owners know there are sensible things we can do to keep guns out of the hands of people like Adam Lanza, and they’re eager to stop the next tragedy — not exploit the last one.

Thankfully, the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility is leading the charge to fight back against “Guns Save Lives Day” — spearheading efforts to educate Washingtonians about I-594 and why it’s the right thing to do for Washington and our kids. I’m proud to join them, and I hope you’ll help out, too.

Sign the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s open letter today, and help them fight back against “Guns Save Lives Day.” now.

Thanks for your support.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee