[Jeff Higgins]

Unfortunately, Initiative 1639 has survived one court challenge, in the Washington State Supreme Court. It's being appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court, where many think it will be struck down. We'll see.

Washington is kind of a mixed bag right now regarding gun law. There is both good and bad but, I think overall, we are still pretty good as far as firearms freedoms. For example, our state Constitution is far more clear than the Federal Constitution regarding our right to keep and bear arms. Article 1, Section 24 of Washington’s Constitution states: 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.

Additionally, we have a state preemption law wherein local jurisdictions cannot enact their own gun laws. My neighbor town of Edmonds just had a city ordinance requiring some very onerous "safe storage" conditions be met as a requisite of firearms ownership. Our State Supreme Court struck it down in a unanimous ruling.

Beyond that, we are both an "open carry" (with no permit required) and a "shall issue" (for CCW's) state. So it really isn't that bad. This waiting period that includes current CCW holders is just your typical "thumb in the eye" annoyance law targeting legal, law abiding gun owners rather than criminals. Seems the Left just likes to pass these kinds of laws because they can, because it inconveniences lawful owners. Spiteful, vindictive little schitts they are....