If I could talk to my state legislators, here’s what I’d say:
Please, I beg you to unite with Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson to have our state join the move to ban assault weapons. In doing so you honor the bipartisan action of Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan 25 years ago to promote public safety by banning assault weapons. They knew, as we all do, that such a ban would not end violence, but is one easy step to get some of the most dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who would use them to terrorize our communities.
And do not respond with Second Amendment rights arguments. I am educated and know the intent of our forefathers was not that ordinary citizens have access to the military-style weapons of today. This argument is illiterate and foolish. Also, I do not buy the alarmist argument that a ban on assault weapons leads to Big Brother taking our target shooting, hunting, or antique gun collections.
Are NRA campaign contributions so important that legislators would continue to put their constituents at risk by refusing a reasonable request to ban ordinary citizens from having military style weapons? Really?
