I am writing to express my views on I-594. I am not going to make unfounded claims supporting this proposal but will endeavor to ask some questions designed to make the voters think about this before casting their vote.
Has it occurred to you that the ads on TV promoting this initiative have been almost non-stop? When do you remember seeing this much money thrown at an issue? And doesn’t it seem odd that the former mayor of New York has seen fit to put millions of his dollars in Washington state to further his cause? This is the same person who decided he knew best what New Yorkers should eat and drink. I suppose all his money has endowed him with special insight. The same could be said for those billionaires in Washington who were brought into the financing fold. Why does it seem that those with untold wealth see it as their duty to show the rest of us the error in our ways?
I’ve seen statistics touting the effect in other states where background checks are in place. You’ve seen these: a certain percentage less police officers shot … a certain percentage of domestic violence against women prevented. I am wondering just where these statistics originate? What data are we being used for this comparison? Which states are in the so-called study? Statistics by themselves are meaningless. Any statistician can tell you that.
We have background checks for all legitimate weapons purchases from dealers. There is no record of private gun sales nor should there be. I, too, have read statistics that show only a fraction of a percent of felons rely on gun shows to procure weapons. They prefer to stay out of the light. As I understand it from a prior writer, no one can purchase a gun at a gun show in this state without already being approved. There is no so-called loophole. The only persons skirting the law are those who would not pass a background check. These people would stay in the shadows and never comply with this initiative.
Oh, and one more thing. Have you noticed that when politicians say of a ballot issue that “it just makes sense” that there is much more to their motives than our well-being?
Art Ellison
Hansville
