Dear Governor Jay Inslee,

As members of the Washington State Sheriffs’ Association, we would like to extend our full support for your proposed legislation that places significant new restrictions on the ownership of firearms by law-abiding citizens. Finally, someone is taking a stand against the dangerous culture of gun violence that has plagued our society for far too long.

We appreciate the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of citizens, but we also understand the importance of protecting the lives of our citizens. It is time to acknowledge that the proliferation of guns in our society is a direct contributor to the rise in violent crime, and we cannot continue to ignore this fact.

Your proposed “assault weapons ban” and “permit to purchase” laws are crucial steps towards addressing the root causes of violent crime. We firmly believe that restricting the access of firearms to those who pose a threat to society is an effective way to combat gun violence.

We understand that there are those who believe that these restrictions infringe on their constitutional rights, but let’s be real – the Second Amendment was written over two centuries ago and is not a blank check for citizens to own weapons of war. Your proposed legislation aligns with Article I Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution and mirrors the language of the Federal Second Amendment.

We appreciate that your efforts prioritize dealing with offenders, especially repeat offenders, in addressing the issue of violent crime. However, we also believe that preventing access to firearms by individuals who have a history of violence or mental illness is a necessary and effective approach.

We understand that some may argue that restrictions on firearm ownership only affect law-abiding citizens, but we have seen time and time again that these same individuals can become perpetrators of violent crimes. Your proposed legislation aims to prevent tragedies before they happen, and we fully support that.

In conclusion, we applaud your commitment to reducing violent crime and protecting the lives of Washingtonians. We pledge our full support and cooperation as we work together to create a safer, more just society for all.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Budrow,

Sheriff

The actual letter from the Sheriff