Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, cosponsored H.R. 38, which forces each state to recognize the concealed and carry standards from every other state, even those with dramatically weaker standards or no permitting requirements at all. Washington already has reciprocity with nine other states that follow our rules in mandating a person must pass a universal background check and be at least 21. Some states have such weak gun laws, violent criminals and convicted domestic abusers can easily purchase firearms. Do we really want those people carrying in our state?
Republicans like Herrera Beutler say they support states’ rights and local control. However, by co-sponsoring this bill, clearly she believes more in the extreme agenda of the NRA than in the voters of her state.
Washington voters have overwhelmingly passed two common-sense gun initiatives, including: Universal Background Checks in 2014 (passed statewide by 59 percent and in Clark County by 58.2 percent) and Extreme Risk Protection Orders in 2016 (passed statewide by 69.4 percent and in Clark County by 64 percent). That means more voters in Clark County voted for ERPO than they did for Herrera Beutler in the last election. She should listen to her constituents and not support a resolution that will make our state less safe.
