Archives for category: Gun Control

Guns in Washington State

October 29, 2019 //

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”

Back in 2014 – Initiative 594 – Attempting to comply:

Recent weeks:

An 18-year-old shot someone six times at a Lakewood gas station. He’s been sentenced

Bellevue PD says first murder in 3 years was gang-related

Car windows keep being shot out in Tacoma

One dead after two overnight shootings in Seattle

2 wounded in South Seattle drive-by shooting

Four separate shootings strike over the weekend in King County

Looks like frequent gun crimes roll on.

Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.

Any reporting or updates on this?

Another of many examples where freedoms may come & go- completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom:

Tacoma gun and ammo tax

Why would this be necessary if the 2014 move to require enhanced background checks has been effective?

Some of us who were kids in the 60s and 70s remember gun racks in trucks. The sight of rifles out in public didn’t seem to cause a stir. Seemed like there was less in the way of mass-casualty shootings too.

August 23, 2019 Tacoma News Tribune

Gun, ammunition tax proposed by Tacoma council member

“Mello’s request comes after recent shootings, including several in Tacoma this month. Mello’s letter was also signed by Mayor Victoria Woodards and Council member Catherine Ushka.”

October 28, 2019 KING 5 News video:

Tacoma City Council to vote on proposed gun tax

Washington State Constitution:

SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

More here:

Machine Guns From American Sporting Goods Stores?

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo-

Away from any residential area, & out to a safe and legal place in the hills, for a few hours of plinking.

Categories Gun Control, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent

Records Keeping and Gun Violence

February 16, 2019 //

Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.

Love to see newspeople asking more questions here. Our questions will appear in bold type.

February 14, 2019 KING 5 News

Washington state’s backlog of gun records may go from bad to worse

“Currently, there are 550,000 gun purchase paper forms awaiting manual entry; covering handgun purchases made approximately within the last three years.”

“That means law enforcement officers who access the database can’t be sure it reflects whether or not an individual citizen has access to guns. Before making arrests or serving warrants, police and deputies often use the state database to look up whether the person they are looking for owns a firearm.”

November 7, 2018 KING 5 News

Half-million handgun records missing from Washington database

“The backlog means that pistols purchased at Washington gun stores as far back as three years ago have not been entered into the system.”

Legal guns come from various sources other than being purchased at WA gun stores.

Many people own guns that have been passed down in families or were purchased new in decades past.

People who own guns move here from out of state.

How would any of these firearms show up in a WA State database?

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014. Did Initiative 594 contribute to the database backlog? Has Initiative 594 reduced incidents of gun related violence anywhere in Washington State? Any reporting or updates on this?

When is the last time the Washington State Department of Licensing gun registration database was running without a backlog?

Back in 2014 – Initiative 594 – Attempting to comply:

In Seattle- gang members are not showing up to comply with strict background check protocols approved by voters in Nov of 2014.

Aug, 2015-

Police say much of the rise in gun violence in Seattle area due to gangs

Newspeople Ask Questions If It’s A Sports Story

Newspeople Remain Silent – Missing A Chance To Ask Questions

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo-

Working Waterfront – Anacortes

Categories Gun Control, Newspeople not asking questions, The Business of Keeping People informed

Militia Nonsense

March 27, 2018 //

Washington State Constitution:

SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.

What powers are granted to the federal government here?

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Categories Gun Control

Gun Control Update

December 5, 2015 //

Random thoughts:

No one is trying to take your guns away-

“Gun control advocates ridicule the NRA’s claim that the government is coming to take away people’s guns, then try to outlaw perhaps the most popular rifle in the country.”

“It is possible to define those guns in a clear and effective way and, yes, it would require Americans who own those kinds of weapons to give them up for the good of their fellow citizens.”

End the Gun Epidemic in America

No-Fly List Offers No Hope for Correcting Mistakes, Judge Rules

Group identities: NRA “member.”

If a person subscribes to the local paper- are they a member? Maybe they just want to stay informed.

Washington State Constitution:

No mention of a militia.

Individual states approve or reject issues like concealed carry, marijuana, suspicionless highway checkpoints & Real ID one at a time.

What powers are granted to the federal government here?

Did this registered felon/heroin and cocaine trafficker have appropriate background checks for the weapons he possessed?

Drug trafficker with arsenal arrested in Lehigh Acres

Why does the surveillance state indicate they know enough about future acts of terror to tell us there is “no credible threat”– while asking for assistance in tracking down a bank robber?

FBI offering $10,000 reward for information on Salinas robbery case

Or a missing police rifle:

Police need help locating missing rifle after it fell from patrol vehicle

The post-911 surveillance state (fusion centers, war on terror crime fighting tactics, license plate scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, and social media sites, tracking of cell phones, use of drones, etc.) appears to have played no role in preventing this crime:

Investigators Search for Motive as San Bernardino Shooting Deemed an ‘Act of Terrorism’

In Seattle- gang members are not showing up to comply with strict background check protocols approved by voters in Nov of 2014.

Nov, 2014-

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

Aug, 2015-

Police say much of the rise in gun violence in Seattle area due to gangs

Attempting to comply:

More here: Will Paperwork Stop Bad People?

Similar items posted daily on facebook at:

US Department of Credibility

Newspeople will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Our free and independent press has stopped asking questions.

and Sound of Freedom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

Categories Gun Control

Gang Members Not Showing Up For Background Checks

October 9, 2015 //

In Seattle- gang members are not showing up to comply with strict background check protocols approved by voters in Nov of 2014.

Nov, 2014-

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

Aug, 2015-

Police say much of the rise in gun violence in Seattle area due to gangs

More here: Will Paperwork Stop Bad People?

Similar items posted daily on facebook at:

US Department of Credibility

Newspeople will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Our free and independent press has stopped asking questions.

and Sound of Freedom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo- Welcome visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden.

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

Categories Gun Control

Will Paperwork Stop Bad People?

October 5, 2015 //

War on Terror-

Heroin traffickers are the secret shoppers of the War on Terror- constantly challenging whatever security measures are in place. They are frequently successful at what they do.

Special/Enhanced ID has been required to go have lunch in Canada- then return home- since 2009.

If special ID works to keep bad guys out- how are cartels moving heroin into the Puget Sound area in 2015?

DEA:

“James said western Washington might as well be the backyard for three Mexican drug cartels.”

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for your service

Seems like post-911 security protocols & the War on Terror would be a drug cartel’s worst nightmare. What does the US Dept. of Homeland Security have to say about all this?

The press remains silent.

154 pounds of heroin get past the US Dept. of Homeland Security and into New York City:

DEA Seizes $50 Million Worth Of Heroin In New York’s Largest Bust Of All Time
As always- the big law enforcement success story comes with zero reporting or questions from newspeople about why the proud War on Terror is unable to keep heroin out of the US.

More here: Drug Cartels Say No Thanks to Enhanced ID

Gun Control-

If people can easily obtain heroin- how will paperwork stop bad people from getting guns?

The sort of law (Re: selling your weapon) he describes in the video above was approved by WA State voters in Nov. 2014:

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

More here: Initiative 594 blog/newslinks

July 15, 2015

Seattle police tweak tactics as shootings rise citywide

Gangs not showing up for background checks:

August 25, 2015

Police say much of the rise in gun violence in Seattle area due to gangs

Should guns be registered like cars? Here’s a detailed article:

We Register Cars, Why Not Guns?

Even with license, registration & insurance requirements- cars can be used for various illegal activities:

Police: Mother who drove into ocean with children accused of attempted murder

Mother Drowns Herself and Three Children By Driving Car Into River

Drive-by shootings are frequently in the news.

Many people do the right thing with cars & guns. Some do not.

Similar items posted daily on facebook at:

US Department of Credibility

Newspeople will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Our free and independent press has stopped asking questions.

and Sound of Freedom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo- Nordland Transit Center

Categories Gun Control, Heroin, Newspeople not asking questions

Public Officials on Gun Control

January 19, 2013 //

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta-

“Who the hell needs armor-piercing bullets except you guys in battle?” Panetta told the soldiers at the U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza in northern Italy. “For the life of me, I don’t know why the hell people have to have assault weapons.”

General McChrystal-

“I personally don’t think there’s any need for that kind of weaponry on the streets and particularly around the schools in America. I believe that we’ve got to take a serious look — I understand everybody’s desire to have whatever they want — but we have to protect our children and our police and we have to protect our population. And I think we have to take a very mature look at that.”

New York State Sen. Eric Adams-

NY State Senator Not Quite Sure Which Constitutional Amendment Doesn’t Apply When Parents Go Looking for Guns in Their Daughters’ Jewelry Boxes

Counterpoint:

Public School Lockers- teaching students to have a chip on their shoulder

County Sheriffs-

Sheriffs Around the Country Say They Won’t Enforce Unconstitutional Gun Control Laws

Sheriffs, state lawmakers push back on gun control

UPDATE: More sheriffs vow not to enforce new federal gun control laws (Video)

SHERIFF WILL NOT OBEY UNLAWFUL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDERS

Sheriff Richard Mack-

The Sheriff comes on at 34:30

Wyoming Sheriff Says Agency Will Ignore Any Gun Control Laws It Considers Unconstitutional

County Sheriff on suspicionless federal checkpoints away from border crossings and ports of entry-

On Washington’s Olympic Peninsula-

Border Patrol checkpoints came to Jefferson County, WA in 2008.

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists.

The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50

At that same forum a lady asked:

“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”

US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.

Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.

Question about providing ID is at 0:35

Checkpoints ended here in 2008- possibly due to well informed citizens and local protests. Looks like they weren’t vital to national security after all.

War on Terror- credibility squandered.

Photo-

Rush Hour- Port Hadlock

Categories Gun Control

Firearms and a Free Society

January 9, 2013 //

Public Policy-

I am curious about how individual state constitutions will play in all this.

Out here in Washington State, there is no mention of well regulated or militia.

I wonder how many states go with something like this:

Washington State Constitution

“SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Some say the militia is the National Guard. What happens when the NG is not taking orders from the people?

Well regulated militia:

“Kent State massacre[2][3][4]—occurred at Kent State University in the U.S. city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970. The guardsmen fired 67 rounds over a period of 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding nine others, one of whom suffered permanent paralysis.[5]”

Many folks speak of defending against a tyrannical government.

How about a rancher in southern Arizona who wants to defend against violent drug traffickers.

He should be able to opt in or out on being armed similar to the well regulated militia at Kent State.

Ending the Drug War would reduce violence in this area.

Random thoughts-

My attitudes on gun control are very similar to my take on public school lockers:

Public School Lockers- teaching students to have a chip on their shoulder

People who have done nothing wrong should be treated as such.

Armed security in public schools-

Communities across America should be free to plan their school security protocols in a decentralized fashion & to opt in or out on making use of armed security.

High level politicians all across America make use of armed security. It is done in a professional way so that it does not attract the attention of the public.

Las Vegas Casinos make use of armed security.

It is done in a professional way so that customers are comfortable with the idea of visiting and spending money.

Connecticut school shooting-

It would be nice to get clarification on this story indicating that the rifle was not fired inside the school:

Military weapons in modern culture:

Local TV station promotes the idea that military weapons are appropriate here at home:

Behind the wheel of the ferry gunboat

Stay scared people.

More on Puget Sound Security Theater here.

Simulated gun violence as family entertainment:

“A Battle Sail is a recreation of a typical 18th century naval skirmish, featuring close quarters maneuvers, real cannon fire with gunpowder (no cannon balls), and an opportunity for guests to take the helm of a tall ship. Tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for students/seniors/active military, and $40 for children 12 and under.”

Photo at the top of this page shows one of the ships described above.

Made-for-TV:

Celebrity spokespeople and a show business discussion of guns creates made- for-TV fireworks & keeps the topic heated & emotional.

The discussion should be more about issues- less about personalities.

People who produce TV shows should learn the difference between a clip & a magazine, be clear about the term semiautomatic & get away from the comic book term bullets. Next time you see a box of ammo- look and see if the word bullets appears anywhere on the package.

Why would anyone need…

Photo- Lady Washington at Port Townsend

Categories Gun Control

Why would anyone need…

December 20, 2012 //

Why would anyone need to have a dog, go mountain climbing, participate in auto racing, skydiving, motocross racing, water-skiing, visit a bar, winery or casino, eat fast food, use tobacco, have pizza delivered, ride in a hot air balloon, etc.

Why would anyone need to operate a homebuilt airplane?