My third cousin, Madden, is a 17-year-old young woman, a senior in high school, and is planning to attend college next year after her graduation. She has grown up in a family that appreciates hunting and has passed it down over several generations as a hobby and way of sustenance. As a youth hunter she is not allowed to own firearms herself, but enjoys using her father’s firearms along with him in the field. This year she practiced at home with her father, Bill, and mastered safe operation of his over-under shotgun for the 2014 modern firearm deer season.
When the season arrived, health constraints prevented Bill from taking her out to pursue this activity together. My dad, “Uncle” Rex, offered to take her out and give her the opportunity to harvest her first deer while expanding her knowledge of the great outdoors, natural food sources, and game processing. Fortunately, they were successful and Madden has a great experience to hopefully share with others and possibly her own family in the future. (Not to mention a very nice buck for a first deer!)
Under I-594, this great learning experience would have resulted in a gross misdemeanor for Bill and an unknown punishment for Madden and Rex. Since a minor cannot own a firearm, they must hunt with the weapon owner, who according to I-594 must be “under direct supervision and control” of the legal gun owner. Given that the shotgun does not belong to either Rex or Madden, a transfer has occurred under I-594. Under this proposed initiative, a background check would have been required to transfer ownership to Rex, which could take up to 10 days and cost up to $50 for each transfer. Unknowingly or accidentally violating this initiative a second time, Bill would face felony charges and lose both his ability to vote and to own firearms. An accidental illegal transfer could occur as simply as allowing someone else to shoot your firearm in the woods behind your house.
I-594 is not an initiative about background checks, it is an initiative to harass existing gun owners who possess no ill intention, under the misinformed guise of added safety. Please join responsible gun owners and those who appreciate facts and freedom in voting no on I-594.
Brandon Guard
Snohomish
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