Letter To Washington Senator Adam Kline About His Anti-Firearm Ownership Bill SB6396

[Merrill]

Senator Adam Kline 1-29-10
.223 John A. Cherberg Building
P.O. Box 40437
Olympia, WA 98504-0437


Senator Kline,

As a Washington resident I would like to take a moment of your time to express my extreme opposition to S.B. 6396 and utter disgust for your actions in submitting the bill. It has nothing to do with public safety or concern for the youth of our state, this is about control over Washington citizens of which you seem to view as peasants.

I’m appalled any American politician would consider submitting such a bill which will only criminalize otherwise law abiding citizens. Why would a government seek to disarm the public? Consequently I question your intentions for the people of Washington, as well as your patriotism. When reading this bill I felt I was taking a journey into the minds of the leaders of such nations as pre World War 2 Germany, the former Soviet Union, or current Iran. It didn’t remotely strike me as coming from the United States, particularly Washington; SB6396 is frightening to free people living in a free nation.

Most offensive & un-American is found on page 7, lines 16 to 18, and lines 19 to 21. It states, “In order to continue to possess an assault weapon that was legally possessed on the effective date of this section, the person possessing the assault weapon shall do all of the following;” “Safely and securely store the assault weapon.” “The Sheriff of the county may, no more than once per year, conduct an inspection to ensure compliance with this subsection.” Senator this is a violation my constitutional & civil rights! Have you lost all rational thought capability? Please know I will determine how things are done in my house, including the storage of any weapons. I will not allow the intrusion of my home by any law enforcement or government agency without due process and the appropriate documentation.

Senator I’m so disgusted with your actions I can’t put it into words. I do however feel you’re unfit for public office in any form of government in the United States. You have clearly demonstrated utter disregard for the civil rights of Washington citizens as well as the people of a free nation which is simply unacceptable. Shame on you sir!

As such, I expect you to resign from your position as Senator of the 37th Legislative District, as this is the only honorable action left for to you take. Then relocate to a communist country that is more in line with your political views rather then destroying my state and nation.


Sincerely,


Merrill Berger

[Merrill]

Remain vigilant, I agree totally but find it incredible how many people don't. I keep people at my work informed.

[Michael Frome]

It makes me unhappy that such a thing could come up as well. This is on general principle (muskets were once "assault rifles", if my memory serves). The whole bill clearly violates both state and federal Constitutions...to anybody but lawyers or activists with axes to grind. We must remain vigilant.

[Merrill]

Thanks for the update Mr. Frome. I'm confident it doesn't have a chance I received a reply letter from Brian Blake today indicating his opposition. Still I struggle with the knowledge that a politician would make such an attempt.

I was aware of Bellvue's police chief and her tactics, she's pathetic and I can imagine the misinformation these people were spewing.. this whole thing sickens me.

[Michael Frome]

I've been tracking this one. Following is the report from Joe Waldron, about how the committee hearing went:

Anticlimactic probably best describes the public hearing on SB 6396, except for the turn-out by gun owners. 313 citizens signed in for the hearing, 298 opposed to the bill, 14 in favor, and one confused gent didn't take a position. Several other gunnies showed up but didn't sign in because once again they "ran out" of sign-in sheets, or they were unable to find a parking space. WAY TO GO! AND THANK YOU!

(As with the hearing on gun shows in 2007, when well over 300 pro-gun citizens showed up, this kind of presence sends signals far across the campus. Even before the hearing ended, I received calls from House members across the campus asking what was going on and why did we have so many people there. This is what grassroots activism and grassroots lobbying is all about. That, and literally thousands of e-mails and calls to legislative offices urging a "no" vote on SB 6396.))

Judiciary Committee chair Kline, the bill's prime sponsor, limited testimony to three on each side of the issue, but took plenty of time for himself to proclaim the virtues of the bill. There was a lot of misinformation and misdirection passed out by the other side, from Chairman Kline to Washington Ceasefire president Ralph Fascitelli to Bellevue police chief Linda Pillo (allegedly speaking as a private citizen, but appearing in uniform. Had it been a debate format, almost all their points would have been easily refuted.

At this time, it does not appear the votes are there to pass the bill out of committee. It must clear the committee by Friday, 5 February, or be considered dead for the session.