Letter: Vague, unconstitutional, I-1639 should be rejected

Letter | Vague, unconstitutional, Initiative 1639 should be rejected by voters

Editor,

I read your opinion in the Oct. 17 Whidbey News-Times regarding Initiative 1639.

I respectfully disagree with your opinion.

1-639 does not propose “common sense” gun laws. It convolutes firearms in general for people unfamiliar with them and their safe operation.

I would like to see the polls you refer to that show a “majority of American’s support it.” Since this initiative is limited to Washington state, I can assure you the polls you cited are not a representation of this state.

This initiative defines an assault rifle as any semi automatic rifle — even a 100-year-old .22 caliber rifle. The term “assault rifle” is a manifestation of the liberal media and the gun-banning liberals.

If you look at the contemporary “assault weapon bans,” you will find that the esteemed legislators classified anything that looked like it could be found in the military as an “assault rifle,” or a big scary gun to people not familiar with them.

Washington state already performs background checks on firearm buyers, yet this would require annual background checks for every gun owner in Washington state — forever. In addition this, the measure would impose a $25 tax per gun to start, with no limitation set on this tax.

This initiative would punish us law-abiding citizens while completely ignoring the criminal illegal use of firearms. If your firearm is stolen you face stiff penalties, not the thief. How is this “common sense?”

Also, 92 percent of this initiative’s funding was donated by 10 people. I find that curious.

I-1639 does nothing to enhance security or safety — it is the first step in voiding our Second Amendment rights — How hard is it to understand “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed?”

This initiative is vague and unconstitutional. Vote “no” on I-1639.

Kristy Lang Miller

Oak Harbor