MYNORTHWEST NEWS

State AG issues follow-up to sheriffs not enforcing I-1639

Mar 4, 2019, 1:33 PM

bob ferguson, trump, lawsuit, I-976...

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

(Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

After taking a hard stance on sheriffs refusing to enforce the recently-passed gun measure I-1639, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson took a different tact in a new letter.

RELATED: State AG issues warning to sheriffs not enforcing I-1639

In mid-February, Ferguson issued a letter to officials who publicly stated they wouldn’t enforce I-1639, warning of possibly legal consequences. A new letter sent out Monday, though, was far more carrot than stick, suggesting that refusal to enforce it was due to a lack of understanding of the measure, rather than disregard for the law.

“Recent public statements from your colleagues regarding the refusal to enforce Initiative 1639, approved by nearly 60 percent of Washington voters last November, suggest widespread misunderstanding regarding the requirements and status of the new law,” it reads.

In this latest letter, Ferguson focused on what he views as misconceptions related to I-1639. Concerns from sheriffs in the past have included a fear they would have to “go door to door,” intrude in private homes, and go after people whose guns aren’t stored securely.

Looking to debunk those claims, Ferguson spoke plainly.

A few points are especially important to highlight. Initiative 1639:

  • Does not require that a firearm be stored in a particular place or in a particular way;
  • Does not require you to enter homes to investigate whether firearms are safely and securely
    stored;
  • Does not create criminal liability for a stolen firearm, provided the firearm is reported stolen;
  • Does not prohibit a person between the ages of 18 and 21 from possessing a semiautomatic
    assault rifle provided they have the weapon for defense of their home, business, or personal
    property, or while hunting or at a shooting range;
  • Does require local law enforcement to perform enhanced background checks on all sales and
    transfers of semiautomatic assault rifles regardless of your personal views on the initiative; and
  • Has not been found by any court to violate the Second Amendment.

Ferguson also pointed to a new FAQ page created by the Attorney General’s office, designed to address common questions and concerns regarding I-1639.

“I hope this document is helpful to you and the Washingtonians you represent and serve,” he stated in closing.

RELATED: Idea of sanctuary cities for guns is ‘fiction’

In its current form, I-1639 enacts waiting periods and background checks on the purchase of semi-automatic weapons, an increase to the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21, and a class-C felony for any gun owner whose firearm is used by an unlicensed party provided the owner doesn’t report it as stolen.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

1 hour ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

2 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

4 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

4 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

5 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

8 hours ago

State AG issues follow-up to sheriffs not enforcing I-1639