Regarding the letter to the editor (“County should end gun shows at Monroe fairgrounds,” The Herald, Sept. 10):
First of all I’d like to point out that keeping various venues at the fairgrounds is what pays to keep the fairgrounds operating, all venues, even gun shows.
I’d also like to point out that as unfortunate as any homicide is, the number of deaths attributed to so-called assault rifles, with an estimated 12 million to 18 million in private hands, Justice Department statistics for 2017 report 403 deaths by all rifles as compared to 696 deaths by fist and feet.
The most important fact I’d like to mention is that all firearm transfers at Washington Arms Collectors shows must pass a background check. The WAC gun show, which has venues at the fairgrounds only allows members to buy, sell or otherwise possess firearms inside the pavilion and that all members must pass a background check on top of possessing a concealed carry permit. Since the enactment of I-594 all firearm transfers, even private, must go through a mandatory background check, per Washington state law and WAC rules. The gun show also provides an federal firearms licensed dealer dedicated to performing Background checks for a fee of $10. This provides law-abiding members a place where even private transfers are processed.
Since July 1 all handgun and semiautomatic rifles must go through a more rigorous background check that takes up to 10 days to process, thus, walking out with a handgun or semiautomatic rifle isn’t happening.
Lastly I’d like to remind fellow firearm owners to be respectful of those who are frightened and intimidated, not to open carry inside establishments that request no open carry. Walmart is only asking us to be respectful.
Greg Reiber
Marysville
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