MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Gun control forces pessimistic about legislative session in Olympia

Jan 15, 2013, 4:19 PM | Updated: Jan 16, 2013, 6:30 am

City councilmember Tim Burgess says the council also favors universal background checks, which means closing what's known as the "gun show loophole." (AP Photo/File)

(AP Photo/File)

Even before he releases details of his proposals to reduce gun violence Wednesday, President Obama faces strong opposition in Congress. Passing gun control measures will be no easier in Olympia.

There is no shortage of gun control ideas this session; most have been trotted out before. The Seattle City Council’s legislative wish list has five proposals including a ban on assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines. City councilmember Tim Burgess says the council also favors universal background checks, which means closing what’s known as the “gun show loophole.” The city council is also looking for a sponsor for a bill to mandate microstamping.

“That is a technology that improves the police capability of tracing fired bullets,” said Burgess, calling microstamping a reasonable gun safety measure.

President Obama Wednesday will be unveiling his proposals to fight gun violence. The White House says he and Vice President Joe Biden will be joined by children who wrote the president letters after the Newtown shooting. Congressional officials say Obama has been weighing 19 steps he could take through executive action alone, possibly including ordering stricter action against people who lie on gun sale background checks. There could also be tougher penalties against gun trafficking. And schools could be given more flexibility to use grant money to improve safety.

Before anything happens in Olympia, gun legislation needs a sponsor and leadership.

“President Obama has shown leadership, Governor (Andrew) Cuomo passed an assault weapons ban in New York, Governor (John) Hickenlooper of Colorado has been out front; we want see more leadership from our Governor,” said Ralph Fascitelli, board chairman of Washington Cease Fire.

He thinks one piece of gun legislation has a good chance of passage in Olympia. “We actually think there’s a real good shot that we’re gonna pass a bill that significantly toughens underage possession of firearms that has bi-partisan support,” said Fascitelli. He’s more pessimistic about other gun control measures because republicans have taken control of the state Senate, putting republican Mike Padden in charge of the Judiciary Commitee.

“He’s from Spokane and he has an A-plus rating from the NRA,” said Fascitelli. “We may not even get a hearing.”

Washington CeaseFire thinks gun control will more likely be put to a vote of the people. “There’s a lot of people who are coming out of the woodwork on that with deep pockets and I think the chances of an initiative are at least 50-50 right now,” Fascitelli said. “I think we’re going to see an initiative.”

There’s been some talk of a bill in Olympia to allow teachers and other school personnel to carry firearms. Fascitelli calls that idiotic and says it’s “not going to happen.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize up for grabs after $1.1B Mega Millions ticket sold

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $865 million ahead of Wednesday night's drawing.

7 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

8 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

10 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

10 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

11 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

11 hours ago

Gun control forces pessimistic about legislative session in Olympia