GOP up in arms over concealed-carry bill approval
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Democrat majority in the Washington House of Representatives passed a bill Sunday night that prohibits the open carry of firearms and other weapons with 250 feet of permitted events. That includes the state capitol campus.
During the five-hour debate Republicans argued that Senate Bill 5038 is unconstitutional, violating not only Second Amendment rights, but other amendments including the right to free expression.
“This badly-written bill mucks up not only the constitutional and foundational right to protect yourself with a firearm or a weapon, but with your foundational right to express what you believe in,” Rep. Jim Walsh, the ranking Republican on the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee said.
Republicans also argued that the 250-foot prohibition is not clearly defined, which means that anyone walking peacefully near a permitted event with a holstered gun, knife, or other weapon could be charged with a gross misdemeanor crime.
“These don’t prevent gun violence,” House Public Safety Committee ranking Republican Rep. Gina Mosbrucker said. “Criminals do not follow the law. It’s very simple. That’s what makes them a criminal.”
Republicans offered 16 amendments that would reduce the impact of the bill, but the majority Democrats rejected all but three. Because those amendments were added, the measure now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.
