sv_libertarian
State Researcher
imported post
This is a letter I sent off to my local legislators. It concerns trying to get laws prohibiting possession of legal short barrel rifles and shotguns, as well as machine guns repealed, as well as making it legal to use a legal silencer.
That said anyone who wishes to use this letter in it's unaltered state is free to do so.
I'm hoping we can get a bunch of people agitating to get these laws repealed so we can own these guns again in Washington State.
I'm not up to debating my choice of words or how I chose to address this issue, or the overall "quality" or "tone" of the letter.
Hi,
I am writing concerning state laws which currently prohibit possession and/or use of certain firearms and firearms devices which are regulated and registered by the Federal Government, namely short barrel shotguns and rifles, devices for suppressing the sound of firearms, and registered machine guns.
Currently RCW 9.41.250 section 1, paragraph(c) makes it a gross misdemeanor when a person "Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm". While it is held to be legal to posses a Federally registered silencer (which requires a $200 tax, and BATF background check, as well as the signature of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the area the owner resides) it is currently illegal to actually use such a device if legally held.
At this time RCW 9.41.190 and 9.41.220 prohibit ownership of most machine guns, shotguns with barrels under 18", or rifles with barrels with under 16". Currently Federal law allows for ownership of machine guns registered before a certain date in 1986, as well as for short barrel rifles and shotguns made at any time. To own a machine gun requires the same procedures as I outlined for a silencer.
To own a legal short barrel rifle or shotgun requires the same steps as for a machine gun or silencer, and the payment of a $5 tax stamp to the Federal government. To manufacture a legal short barrel rifle or shotgun requires the same steps as for a machine gun or silencer, and the payment of a $200 tax.
Currently Washington State adds an additional penalty for use of a machine gun in a felony, per RCW 9.41.225.
Article I, section 24 of the Washington State Constitution carefully protects the right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms for personal protection, or defense of the state. There are many legitimate reasons to own the weapons and devices I have described in this letter. Silencers protect the hearing of the user, reduce noise pollution, and could prove valuable for a householder forced to defend themselves, in that a suppressed firearm lessens the risk of permanent damage to their hearing or that of loved ones. Short barrel rifles and shotguns also serve many self defense purposes. It is well established that a short and handy weapon is ideal for personal and home defense. Shotguns and rifles are widely employed for self defense, with the understanding that the shorter and more compact weapons are most useful.
As I pointed out, to legally obtain machine guns, silencers, short barrel rifles or shotguns require BATF approval, as well as the signature of a Chief of Police or Sheriff. The state constitution carefully protects the right of the individual to keep and bear arms, while current state law restricts the use and ownership of certain classes of weapons. To ban such rare and expensive classes of weapons will do nothing to lessen crime, as criminals will still find ways to make or acquire illegal weapons of a prohibited type, while law abiding citizens are denied their rights.
Please consider a bill that would restore these rights, and return the ability of Washington residents to own and use these weapons and devices for personal and public defense.
Thank you
This is a letter I sent off to my local legislators. It concerns trying to get laws prohibiting possession of legal short barrel rifles and shotguns, as well as machine guns repealed, as well as making it legal to use a legal silencer.
That said anyone who wishes to use this letter in it's unaltered state is free to do so.
I'm hoping we can get a bunch of people agitating to get these laws repealed so we can own these guns again in Washington State.
I'm not up to debating my choice of words or how I chose to address this issue, or the overall "quality" or "tone" of the letter.
Hi,
I am writing concerning state laws which currently prohibit possession and/or use of certain firearms and firearms devices which are regulated and registered by the Federal Government, namely short barrel shotguns and rifles, devices for suppressing the sound of firearms, and registered machine guns.
Currently RCW 9.41.250 section 1, paragraph(c) makes it a gross misdemeanor when a person "Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm". While it is held to be legal to posses a Federally registered silencer (which requires a $200 tax, and BATF background check, as well as the signature of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the area the owner resides) it is currently illegal to actually use such a device if legally held.
At this time RCW 9.41.190 and 9.41.220 prohibit ownership of most machine guns, shotguns with barrels under 18", or rifles with barrels with under 16". Currently Federal law allows for ownership of machine guns registered before a certain date in 1986, as well as for short barrel rifles and shotguns made at any time. To own a machine gun requires the same procedures as I outlined for a silencer.
To own a legal short barrel rifle or shotgun requires the same steps as for a machine gun or silencer, and the payment of a $5 tax stamp to the Federal government. To manufacture a legal short barrel rifle or shotgun requires the same steps as for a machine gun or silencer, and the payment of a $200 tax.
Currently Washington State adds an additional penalty for use of a machine gun in a felony, per RCW 9.41.225.
Article I, section 24 of the Washington State Constitution carefully protects the right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms for personal protection, or defense of the state. There are many legitimate reasons to own the weapons and devices I have described in this letter. Silencers protect the hearing of the user, reduce noise pollution, and could prove valuable for a householder forced to defend themselves, in that a suppressed firearm lessens the risk of permanent damage to their hearing or that of loved ones. Short barrel rifles and shotguns also serve many self defense purposes. It is well established that a short and handy weapon is ideal for personal and home defense. Shotguns and rifles are widely employed for self defense, with the understanding that the shorter and more compact weapons are most useful.
As I pointed out, to legally obtain machine guns, silencers, short barrel rifles or shotguns require BATF approval, as well as the signature of a Chief of Police or Sheriff. The state constitution carefully protects the right of the individual to keep and bear arms, while current state law restricts the use and ownership of certain classes of weapons. To ban such rare and expensive classes of weapons will do nothing to lessen crime, as criminals will still find ways to make or acquire illegal weapons of a prohibited type, while law abiding citizens are denied their rights.
Please consider a bill that would restore these rights, and return the ability of Washington residents to own and use these weapons and devices for personal and public defense.
Thank you