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Few changes for Washington expected after U.S. Supreme Court gun ruling

Thursday, June 26, 2008 5:17 PM PDT

By Whitney Malkin
The Associated Press

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SEATTLE — State and local lawmakers say the echo of Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court gun ruling should be relatively quiet in Washington state, which places few gun restrictions on its residents.

“It won’t affect our state law — it will only protect it,” said state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, a gun-rights advocate. “It sends a message that we have a right to keep and bear arms.”

Washington is a “shall issue” state, considered by many to be among the most lenient gun laws in the U.S. Almost all non-felons have a right to carry with a license, as long as they are over the age of 21 and meet a list of state requirements.

But in Seattle, Mayor Greg Nickels recently signed an executive order announcing plans to tighten gun restrictions on city property after two bystanders were injured at a May festival at Seattle Center.

He said he has no plans to turn back in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting.

“We’re going to continue to go down this path,” Nickels said.

The court’s 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia’s 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment but leaves most firearms laws, like those in Washington, intact.

Kristen Comer, executive director of gun-control group Washington CeaseFire, said the decision will likely be unnoticeable in Washington state.

“I don’t think any of our gun laws are in danger,” she said. “I don’t think any of the laws we advocated for will be endangered either.”

In recent years, several measures to restrict guns in Washington state have failed, including one designed to prevent the unregulated sale of handguns at gun shows. A perennial issue, attempts to close the so-called “gun show loophole” have never gained traction.

During this year’s Legislature, another measure that would ban weapons at colleges that host high school students did not pass. A countermeasure, aimed at prohibiting universities from banning concealed weapons, also failed.

Given historical resistance toward tighter regulation on the state level, Nickels said he expects resistance, but will continue to push for more gun control in Seattle.

He thinks the court’s decision strengthens his argument, pointing toward a section of the ruling that cautions against second guessing laws that ban firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings.

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Rosey Glasses wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:39 PM:

" When guns are outlawed (which our justices apparently won't allow anytime soon, thankfully) only outlaws will have them. (I forget who originally said that, but it rings true). I believe that it should be apropriate for anywhere, including colleges (with a permit of course). Government and grade schools (except for possibly teachers and faculty who are charged with protecting and educating our children) should be off limits for students to carry, none of the elementary, middle (jr high) or highschool students are of legal age until they turn 18; and as such shouldn't need to carry a gun in school. But with recent (going back to Columbine in CO) it might be a needed option for teachers and faculty to keep one locked in their desk, just in case. "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:52 PM:

" Rosey: I'd be a "heat" packing momma if I didn't have to go get a "permit". That permit someday may send the government to my house to remove my arsenal of legal hunting rifles. I agree with you. Outlawing guns is rediculous. What they should outlaw is the processing of meth. Oh, ya, they already did that. SMILE. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Jun 26, 2008 5:32 PM:

" I agree there with you "my kid's mom" ALL of ours are registered and kids have all learned to shoot. They can hunt deer or protect their children and home, which ever the happens to be the instance. I am so glad that the justices realize that the founding fathers intended us to protect ourselves from foes both foreign and domestic (God forbit we have to though). BTW folks; the Constitution recognizes our "God given rights" it doesn't GRANT them. This means we have the right to defend ourselves and families. People carry guns because they can't carry a cop!! *grins* "

Linden Groves wrote on Jun 26, 2008 6:20 PM:

" Funny thing about our "God-given rights." The Constitution doesn't contain the word"God"anywhere in it. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Jun 26, 2008 7:49 PM:

" Maybe a class on U.S. Constitution would be in order. That is where I learned it. The wording is part of the Separation of church and state. The Constitution recognizes them none the less. "

cheney119 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:49 PM:

" Congradulations Rosie your argumentts have convinced me we'd all be "safer" if everyone was carrying a weapon. That makes so much sense. "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:29 PM:

" cheney119: on behalf of Rosey, read the news, watch the news, there are a lot of people packing weapons around, but they are not doing it legally and they don't have good intentions. I'm not saying that everyone should be packing weapons around in this particular comment, I'm saying that it doesn't matter what "should be" because it's happening like it or not or "should be" or not. How many times have you heard of a cop pulling someone over and there were concealed weapons in the car....many times. Course I'm sure there are more routine traffic stops that are just "routine" as well. I doubt Rosey thinks everyone should be packing weapons. I bet she would rather we just wouldn't need to. It gets too hot having hot metal against your skin anyway, at least in the summer. Paintball at my house! Who's in? "

old charlie wrote on Jun 27, 2008 12:36 AM:

" This is great news, to affirm something that most already knew. The sad part, is to think that we have a Supreme Court made up of four Americans, four Communists and jackass(Anthony Kennedy) who does not know what he is. "

Linden Groves wrote on Jun 27, 2008 5:52 AM:

" Here's the First Amendment. It doesn't mention either God or use the phrase "separation of church and state".

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Having gone to Truthiness School doesn't make your facts real or your opinion valid. Actually reading the Constitution might help. Here's a link:

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am1 "

cheney119 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:27 AM:

" Your problem is reading and watching the news. If it bleeds it leads you know. But the news is only an illusionay version of reality. There are many rude people in this world but few truely dangerous ones. Carring a weapon presents more danger to you than anyone else. In my experience I have never felt the need to carry a weapon. "

NJGZ wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:40 AM:

" I used to live in the Portland metro area, and I did carry a gun. That said, I do not feel the need to carry one in this area. My husband and I have rifles, but no handguns, and each of our kids are taught gun safety. If you ban guns to law-abiding citizens, who for the most part use them responsibly, the the only ones left with the guns are those who do not abide by the law. "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Well, here's my world: I'm a 5' 10' about 150 lbs with two little kids in each hand, female. I live in a nice community that I enjoy living in but there are also a bunch of drugged out, fried, walking brains out there who could be bigger than me and they don't care what they do, or to whom, living here too. We are on the I-5 coridor and you also don't know who's gonna come through and feel like kidnapping an attractive young woman just because they can. There are many senariose and I am not oblivious to the fact that I am not invisible. If I was 200 lb male, I guess I wouldn't feel uneasy about my safety either. And NO I don't believe everything I read in the newspaper or see on tv. "

cheney119 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:28 AM:

" It's not a question of believing what you read. I have no doubt what is there is true, it just doesn't represent reality, it is exagerated reality. On the news there are, for example, three tragedies a day, but they are reporting on 300 million people in the country. Statistically that a 1 in 100 million chance, you have a much better chance of winning the lottery, or being struck by lightning. But if you're packing a weapon or a pitbull or any other illogical, silly over reaction to basically non existant threats your are inviting tragedy to YOUR LIFE. "

duckguy wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:24 PM:

" Wow Cheney what a wonderful world you live in. Do you really think that the 3 tragedies carried on the local news some night are the only one's that occur in our nation? Have you looked at the crime statistics in some of the Urban areas in our country. Go see how many murders were committed in the District of Columbia last year (a place with a complete ban on handguns). If I lived there, I guarantee I would have one even if it was banned. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Jun 27, 2008 3:15 PM:

" To "my kid's mom": I would love to, but I won't be home this weekend, how about next weekend!! will have to dig out the son's painball gun! Haven't played that in years!! or my house, we have lots of room and a field full of nothing behind, the owners have given permission for us to play there too! LOL
Not everyone should carry, only with permit. But people that feel the need should have the right to have them in their homes and accessibly for adults to use if needed, or for hunting. I for one love rabbit, venison, elk and other wild game. Also, the camping part of hunting is even more fun, I love camping and being out doors. Protection from wild dangerous animals is also another need to have a rifle in the campsite. Quit taking things to an extreme, it doesn't need to be. Just doing what we always do. sigh "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Jun 27, 2008 3:19 PM:

" it amazes me how many people really believe that guns kill; sorry folks but people kill. Dogs may kill if trained or treaded bad; but most don't. Quit blaming the world for the problems created by a few people. Educate yourselves and realize this is not a perfect world; though some think they have the perfect family, spouse and children. Take off the rose colored glasses and get a clue! "

Cheney119 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:37 PM:

" Wild dangerous animals? Boy I've been hiking and climbing for 30 years and never once needed a weapon to protect myself from dangerous animals. Other than mosquitoes, You must have quite an imagination. My campsite was invaded by several bison one night in Yellowstone, but slaughtering them was not required (or legal). I've been 8 feet from two bull moose in Grand Teton National Park and managed not to need a weapon or slaughter anything again. They were gently rubbing the velvet off each others antlers, right next to the trail. The two largest animals in North America, Moose and Bison and I'm here to tell the tail. You must read outdoors magazines, there's always some yahoo being mauled by a bear. What they leave out of the story is the 2 fifths of whiskey that got them into the trouble in the first place. Have you ever actually used the weapon to defend yourself or are just being ridiculous? Don't bother to answer I wouldn't believe you anyway. "

dogshead wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:36 AM:

" Fear the wild beasties? Please, do your research. There is NO danger, statisiticly, dispite the occasional bold headline and warnings proclaimed by the hunting community about the big bad wolfs, bear, and cats. Look it up....educate yourself, and see that the risk is very, very remote. People who choose to see a dangerous world, whether in nature, or in 'civilzation' feel the need to pack a gun. I have picked up hitchhikers, taken the homeless home, slept in my car in urban settings, hiked places where I saw many bear a day (realizing many cats saw me) and love living life without fear. Try it, you'll like it. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Jun 28, 2008 12:37 PM:

" Nope... never had to use one. But who is to say that a pissed off bear doesn't happen to come and nail someone? OH and I have had a gun pointed at me and talked my way out of being shot. (robbery on the street coming out of a store in Denver). I have lived in the worst parts of Los Angeles where shootings happen every day. And had stuff stolen from front porch of home in Longview and Kelso. You must believe that the world is a place where bad things NEVER happen. One day you will see that it can happen to anyone (I don't care if you don't believe me, I have had a gun pointed at me twice in my life; both times the perp was caught and charged, but not til the second one had hurt an old lady walking down the street after robbing me and my friend). Life isn't as rosey as you all want it to be. "

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