OLYMPIA — State Senate leaders have received a letter from a group of gun-violence victims who say they were disrespected at a committee hearing last week.
The Seattle Times reported Friday that the eight victims delivered the letter, which was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom, D-Medina, and Republican Sen. Mike Padden, of Spokane Valley, who is chairman of the Senate Law &Justice Committee.
The letter specifically mentioned the behavior of Auburn GOP Sen. Pam Roach and National Rifle Association lobbyist Brian Judy during the hearing on Initiative 594, which would require background checks for all gun sales, and Initiative 591, which would keep the current system of checks, which are only mandated for sales from licensed firearm dealers.
It accused Roach of suggesting female background-check supporters were trying to appear “helpless” to gain support, and Judy for joking that the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Conn., would not have been prevented by increased background checks due to a “murder-your-mom loophole.”
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