Hello all,
I am sad to report that I am told that Ruger has suspended sales through their instructor sales. To be re-evaluated in June.

For those that didn't know Tacoma PD (TPD) located in Tacoma, WA has for the last 10 years has issued a Kimber 4" 1911 (Pro Carry II or Pro Carry HD) or a Glock (22, 23, or 21).

According to the 2013 Glock Annual that has now changed. They are dropping the Kimbers in favor of Glock Gen4 pistols. Additionally, they have added 9mm to the list of approved calibers (already 40 and 45). They say that it is easier to have one platform to train, and reduced maintenance costs. I assume lower initial purchase cost was a big factor also.

Transition training is anticipated to be from Jan - June 2013.

This is a good win for Glock too, having recently lost WSP and a (lot) of Corrections to the S&W M&P. While I am a Glock fan (as well as M&P), I am sad to see TPD no longer as one of the fairly large PD's (3rd largest city in WA) issuing a 1911.

The 21 is the most popular choice (40%), followed by the 17 (33%), 19 (13%), 22 (10%), 30 (2%) and 23 (1%).

HR1588 just came out of House Committee and a House floor vote is expected soon.
Here is the poorly written bill: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1588.pdf

It makes a mess of ownership, transfers, ends private sales, and in my opinion sets us up for a push towards complete registration.

Here is how you can find out your legislator and brings you to links where you can email/contact them easily: http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

Here is what I wrote to my legislators. Feel free to use and modify it to fit your needs.

I am writing to object HB1588. I will attempt to be brief. While well intentioned it simply won't stop crime and it is very poorly written. First, criminals are not going to get a background check - Period.

Second, what constitutes a sale? There is no title like a car. It seems like this law can be legally bypassed by (a) saying you don't own it (borrowed) (b) it wasn't a sale but a gift.

Third, there is no exemption for concealed pistol license holders or time period that the background check is valid for?

Fourth, who keeps the new DOL form? Does the owner keep it with them? The seller? The dealer? Law enforcement?

Fifth, Unenforceable-How are you going to determine if the sale was made prior vs post implementation?

Sixth, are law enforcement going to do background checks? There appears to be no requirement for them to do so.

Seventh, piggying back on #6 the $20 fee is less than most dealers charge for background checks (yes, you can voluntarily do this already). There is no requirement for dealers to do the background check. I suspect many won't.

Eighth, the fee of $20 (plus $25 for background check) is going to be a strain on lower income families and possibly high %-wise depending on the item. $45 extra on that old $100 .22 rifle?

Ninth, is there a supporting study to show this may even work? If this is a response to Newtown, I would invite those to take a look at the restrictive laws of CT and how they completely failed. For example, CT already had a universal background check requirement for handguns.

Ten, a repeat of #1 but bears repeating: only law abiding citizens will follow the laws, no matter how well-intentioned they are.

Thank you for your time.

FROM: http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/02/outrageous-comcast-drops-all-gun-shop-ads-from-its-nationwide-cable-network/

In the latest attack on gun owners – Comcast drops all gun shop ads from its nationwide cable network–

This is how it is in the new America.
A constitutional and very moral product is being targeted by the thugs in politics… While they force us to watch condom and impotence ads on a regular basis.
ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

ABC12 reported:

A gun shop owner said firearm manufacturers, distributors and retailers are being targeted unfairly after Comcast announces it’s dropping all gun shop ads from its nationwide cable network.

Have to do some research, but I will be switching to DirecTV in the next week or so.

It seems that the recent S.5737 blogged about last week has even raised the concern of Democrats. In fact, so much so that the sponsors now claim that it is in there "by accident." Convenient excuse when proposing illegal draconian legislation.

This is not a drill folks - please contact your legislators today.
And join the NRA.

SOURCE: http://www.blacklistednews.com/Dems_Sponsor_Bill_Allowing_in_Home_Inspections_of_Gun_Owners/24315/0/38/38/Y/M.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Dems Sponsor Bill Allowing in Home Inspections of Gun Owners
February 18, 2013

Source: Freedom Outpost

Washington State Democrats have sponsored Senate Bill 5737, which has a little provision that apparently was to go unnoticed that would have said that police have a right to search a private citizen’s home once per year if they own certain types of firearms.

According to the legislation:

In order to continue to possess an assault weapon that was legally possessed on the effective date of this section, the person possessing shall … 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.

Yes, that means liberal Democrats pushed forward this legislation in open and defiance of the Fourth Amendment. But that’s not all. When they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar, they exclaimed it wasn’t their fault and that they made mistake.

“I have to admit it shouldn’t be in there,” said Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle). “I made a mistake,” said Sen. Adam Kline (D-Seattle). “I frankly should have vetted this more closely.”

Yeah, there was no mistake. This was deliberate. Murray and Kline were sponsors of the bill. They knew exactly what was in it. This is just more BS from the Left.

Murray also told a gun-control rally in January, “We will only win if we reach out and continue to change the hearts and minds of Washingtonians. We can attack them, or start a dialogue.”

Interestingly, Danny Westneat at the Seattle Times writes about Lance Palmer, a Seattle trial lawyer and self-described liberal. “I’m a liberal Democrat — I’ve voted for only one Republican in my life,” Palmer told me. “But now I understand why my right-wing opponents worry about having to fight a government takeover.”

He added: “It’s exactly this sort of thing that drives people into the arms of the NRA.”

Now this part is actually somewhat encouraging. If a self professed liberal Democrat, a trial lawyer at that, understands why we believe a real danger of government takeover and abandonment of the law of the land is genuine, then that is at least one guy who is thinking. Hopefully, he’ll drop his liberalism and become a pro-gun attorney!

Are they still trying to spin GUN FREE ZONES as safe?

Let's forget the fact that he was trying to copycat the Norway Massacre (because they only happen in the U.S.) and he wanted to be sensationalized by a media willing to repeatedly do so but from: http://news.yahoo.com/connecticut-shooter-wanted-top-norway-death-toll-cbs-020949285.html

Citing two officials briefed on the Newtown investigation, CBS said Lanza targeted the elementary school because he saw it as the "easiest target" with the "largest cluster of people."

GUN FREE ZONES are UNSAFE.
People (children) are unsafe in them.
GUN FREE ZONES don't work.

After repeated school shootings I cannot fathom how people still say that GUN FREE ZONES work, how people are against trained armed security, and how they are against metal detectors and secure buildings.

Anyway, that wasn't the intended jest of the article but it jumped out at me. For your reading convenience:

(Reuters) - The man who shot dead 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut elementary school wanted to kill more people than the 77 slain by a Norwegian man in a 2011 rampage, CBS News reported on Monday, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.

A Connecticut state police spokesman dismissed the report as inaccurate speculation.

Adam Lanza, 20, who killed himself as police closed in on him at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, saw himself in direct competition with Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in a bombing and shooting attack in Norway on July 22, 2011, CBS said. Breivik surrendered to police.

Citing two officials briefed on the Newtown investigation, CBS said Lanza targeted the elementary school because he saw it as the "easiest target" with the "largest cluster of people."

The report did not say how the investigators learned of Lanza's desire to compete with Breivik.

Lanza was also motivated by violent videogames and had spent numerous hours playing games and working on his computer shooting skills in a private gaming room in his basement with blacked out windows, CBS said. Investigators recovered a large number of games from the basement, the report said.

Evidence shows that in his mind, Lanza was likely acting out the fantasies of a videogame during his shooting spree with each death amounting to some kind of "score," CBS said.

Lanza killed 20 schoolchildren aged 6 and 7 plus six adults who worked at the school, shocking the United States and leading President Barack Obama to propose new gun-control legislation.

Authorities have not publicly spoken of his motive.

"This is not official Connecticut State Police information and is someone's speculation regarding the case," Connecticut State Police Lieutenant Paul Vance told Reuters in an email statement.

When asked if the CBS report was in any way accurate, Vance responded, "No."

Breivik, a self-styled warrior against Muslim immigration, killed eight people by bombing the Oslo government headquarters and then shot dead 69 people at the ruling party's summer youth camp.

A Norwegian judge last year sentenced Breivik to the maximum 21 years in prison, though his release can be put off indefinitely should he be deemed a threat to society.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in New York; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Eric Beech)

These guys are my heroes. I am a HUGE supporter of law enforcement. However, they need to stand with the citizens they support. Push comes to shove they are civilians too. They are not military and will not be exempt from draconian requirements.

Don't believe me? Did you know that Canadian police officers are REQUIRED to turn in their guns at the end of their shift?

Here is an LATimes article that argues that all law-abiding citizens are threats and shouldn't firerarms. It even has a POLL asking if police should be allowed to be armed! Outrageous.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap-guns-20130207,0,2714385.column

These folks are coming for guns and it doesn't matter if you are law enforcement or not. They have no disregard for innocent until proven guilty - they have anti-gun agenda- Period.

Gun companies taking a stand:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/02/15/Gun-Companies-To-State-Governments-With-Strict-Gun-Laws-No-Guns-For-You

The anti-gunners have been planning 'draconian' (their words) gun control for some time and they admit that they must trick the American Public into accepting it. They are going to use dramatics and emotional appeals Think it doesn't work? - Just look at Australia, Britain, Canada, etc. Rights lost are never regained!

This is not a drill -- this is REAL folks.
Please contact your legislators immediately!!

Criminals don't follow laws, or submit to universal background checks, or turn in their banned items. Duh.

nij-gun-policy-memo

is available in downloads and from the source: http://www.crimsontrace.com/company/nra-instructor-program/

Thanks RM!

From NRA-ILA today:

Washington: Your State Legislators MUST Hear from You TODAY

Pressure is building in Olympia to pass House Bill 1588, which is a bill that could criminalize private transfers of firearms and lead to handgun registration. It is absolutely imperative for your state legislators to hear from you TODAY.

Yesterday, House Bill 1588 was heard by the House Judiciary Committee. Sponsored by state Representatives Jamie Pederson (D-43), Mike Hope (R-44) and thirty-six other state representatives, HB 1588 could criminalizeall private sales of firearms. This bill mandates a $20 fee (tax) to conduct a background check. All private firearm sales would be required to be brokered by licensed gun dealers and it is unlikely that $20 would cover their cost. A likely outcome is dealers refusing to process these transactions, potentially bringing all legal private firearm sales to a halt.

HB 1588 is unworkable in its current form, as it conflicts with federal law. Furthermore, if it was able to be implemented as drafted, it would create a database of all privately sold handguns since ALL dealer handgun deliveries are registered with the state.

This bill is nothing more than a regulatory scheme that would create a huge burden for law-abiding citizens, would be unenforceable and would be ignored by criminals anyway. It is truly nothing more than a precursor to Universal Firearm REGISTRATION! For more information on this misguided measure, please see our previous report.

HB 1588 is scheduled for vote in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m. The contact information for committee members is provided below.

Also heard yesterday was House Bill 1676, sponsored by state Representative Ruth Kagi (D-32) and thirteen other state representatives. This so-called “child access prevention” bill would single out the storage of firearms for criminalization under certain circumstances. Today, fatal firearms accidents are at an all-time low and are at the bottom of the list of causes of accidental harm to children.

Washington’s current reckless endangerment statute already provides a remedy to address the rare incident of negligent storage and, more significantly, there is a civil remedy available that provides for civil action by the parents of a minor child who is injured or killed.

Please contact your state Representatives and state Senator TODAY and urge them to oppose HB 1588 and HB 1676 and all other attacks on your Second Amendment Rights! To find your elected officials and their contact information, please click here. You may also contact your state Senator and Representatives by calling the toll-free legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000.

The latest attack on law-abiding gun owners comes in the form of a ban on so-called “assault weapons” and magazines that hold more than ten rounds. Senate Bill 5737, just introduced by state Senators Ed Murray (D-43) and Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36), would ban the sale of commonly owned semi-automatic firearms. This bill would ban the manufacture, transfer, possession, purchase and sale of firearms arbitrarily defined as “assault weapons”, semi-automatic firearms commonly owned by law-abiding citizens for self-defense, based on mainly cosmetic features!

SB 5737 would also ban the possession of any semiautomatic firearm along with a magazine that holds more than ten rounds. A violation of these, and other provisions listed in the bill, is a class C felony. Owners of these firearms could keep them IF they subjected themselves to annual in-home inspections by law enforcement and complied with stringent and impractical storage and transportation requirements.

Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you informed on these and other important bills. Thank you for continuing to contact your state lawmakers - they must hear from you now!

House Judiciary Committee:

Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-43), Chairman

(360) 786-7826

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Representative Drew Hansen (D-23), Vice Chairman

(360) 786-7842

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Representative Jay Rodne (R-5)

(360) 786-7852

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Representative Steve O'Ban (R-28)

(360) 786-7890

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Representative Roger Goodman (D-45)

(360) 786-7878

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Representative Mike Hope (R-44)

(360) 786-7892

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Representative Laurie Jinkins (D-27)

(360) 786-7930

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Representative Steve Kirby (D-29)

(360) 786-7996

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Representative Brad Klippert (R-8)

(360) 786-7882

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Representative Terry Nealey (R-16)

(360) 786-7828

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Representative Tina Orwall (D-33)

(360) 786-7834

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Representative Mary Helen Roberts (D-21)

(360) 786-7950

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Representative Matt Shea (R-4)

(360) 786-7984
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