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Hinkle wants to protect gun
owners and
dealers from more red tape at gun shows
13th District lawmaker says Democrats
continue to push more gun control measures
Rep. Bill Hinkle,
R-Cle Elum, wants to protect gun owners and dealers from more red
tape at gun shows and continue to preserve their constitutional rights
to bear arms. The 13th District lawmaker is fighting against
Democrat-sponsored bills in the Washington State Legislature that would
attempt to close the so-called gun show loophole.
Senate Bill 5197 and
House Bill 1026 would expand the definition of a firearms dealer to
include those who buy, sell or exchange guns at gun shows. Noncompliance
with the law would result in a gross misdemeanor.
“The supporters of these bills have not come up with any compelling data
to justify their positions. Even the state Speaker of the House has said
their arguments lack convincing statistics – and let’s hope he means
it,” said Hinkle, a member of the National Rifle Association.
“We’re all concerned about crimes that involve guns. But criminals who
happen to use guns simply aren’t getting them from gun shows. With that
fact, there is no reason that gun dealers and owners should have to
endure more red tape at gun shows.”
The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ report
“Firearms Use by Offenders” found that less than 1 percent of guns
used in U.S. crimes came from gun shows. The 2001 study was based on
interviews with 18,000 prison inmates and is the largest study of its
kind conducted by the government.
“Our federal and state constitutions protect our right to bear arms. In
fact, our state constitution says: ‘The right of the individual citizen
to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired
…,’” said Hinkle. “I take this right seriously and will continue
to fight for it not only as a state lawmaker – but also as a responsible
gun owner.”
Hinkle can be contacted at (360) 786-7808 or
hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov.
For more information on Hinkle visit:
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Hinkle/
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