Washington’s gun control laws are supposed to protect us. But they are far too weak | Opinion

Gun control laws weaker than you think

School started a few days ago for our Tri-Cities kids. I wonder what goes through their minds when they learn about the shooting at Apalachee High School, in Georgia.

Maybe they think it couldn’t happen here. Kids are adept at getting information (and misinformation) on their cell phones, and they’ll certainly learn that their state is ranked far higher than Georgia when it comes to the strength of gun laws. Washington ranks 9th; Georgia ranks 46th.

Georgia doesn’t even have a “red flag” law — a law that allows family members or law enforcement to temporarily prevent someone in a mental crisis from accessing guns.

We passed our “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) law in 2016, twenty years after a 14 year-old boy shot and killed two students and a teacher, and wounded another student at Frontier Middle School in Moses Lake. It took a citizens’ initiative, I-1491 to get that law on the ballot, and a citizen-led campaign to get it passed.

I’d like to reassure students that our ERPO law will reduce the risk of them experiencing a tragedy like that at Apalachee, or at Frontier, but it won’t, because we’re not enforcing it. Ask your police chief why.

Richard Badalamente, Kennewick

Sessler’s being dishonest

Jerrod Sessler’s news release regarding debates with Dan Newhouse promulgates a lie regarding an agreement between him and Dan. This evinces the same dishonest character of too many Republican politicians: they lie and bend facts to enlist votes for whatever the GOP, Trump and MAGA want.

These undemocratic antics prove the fact too many Republicans are placing the importance of party power over maintenance of our democratic republic. They are a disease voters need to eradicate to return our national politics to the beneficial bipartisan behavior from which we benefited prior to 2016.

I will continue to vote for Dan Newhouse and other honest Republicans who support the best interests of their constituents. Almost all his words and deeds have benefited the 4th Congressional District of Washington, including his honest and courageous vote to impeach Donald Trump, the nemesis of democracy.

Votes for Sessler, Trump and other dishonest Republicans are votes for maintenance of undemocratic politics. A vote for Newhouse is a vote for democracy and the welfare of all the residents in his district.

Jim Tow, Richland

This should be Trump’s song

It seems most pop artists are opposed to the Trump campaign publicly using their songs. Maybe the campaign should consider “Sympathy for the Devil” as a well known song that speaks to the core of Trump’s message. The Rolling Stones might even be OK with it.

Anybody planning to vote in November should first look up “Project 2025” for a brief summary of the 900 page document containing a detailed plan to take over American democracy.

Trump’s claim that he has nothing to do with it is just another lie. Trump’s people are heavily involved in it and he’s mentioned throughout. It was created for his presidency.

Greg Carl, Richland

Trump’s policies are bonkers

Policies Trump supports:

  • Deportations of millions of immigrants (including “dreamers,” longtime residents, unaccompanied children) using the military.

  • Detention camps, with large-scale use of tents.

  • Tariffs. Trump doesn’t seem to understand that his proposal of tariffs on all imports will only increase consumer prices – companies pass the increases onto consumers; the government doesn’t get the money.]

  • Lower taxes for wealthy individuals and corporations, which, as last time, would increase the deficit and government debt.

  • Finally, one of his main themes for government, retribution and revenge – against political foes and even journalists.

Many of Trump’s policies align with Project 2025 policies.

Joyce Scherpelz, Richland

Advertisement