Will President Obama’s gun control measures have an impact on the Puget Sound region?
Jan 6, 2016, 7:42 AM | Updated: 8:18 am
President Barack Obama unveiled his plan Tuesday to tighten control and enforcement of firearms in the U.S. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
An emotional President Obama announced his executive actions on gun control on Tuesday.
Now local officials are announcing how the President’s actions will affect our state — if at all.
Washington voters have already passed an initiative that is stricter than what the President is asking for. The state requires a background check for anyone selling a gun. The President’s executive order expands background checks to those in the business of selling guns, including gun shows and Internet sales.
So there won’t be much change on that front for Washington.
Related: Obama thrusts gun control debate into forefront of 2016 race
The President also called for money to advance gun safety technology. That includes “smart guns” that respond to an owner’s finger print. In Washington, a group called Washington CeaseFire has pushed for the same thing.
Seattle Police Guild President Ron Smith told KIRO TV he’ll fight to keep smart guns out of the hands of officers.
“The reason why is I have a smartphone,” Smith explained. “It’s got the thumb print security feature. I don’t know how many times its rejected my thumb print and made me do the process all over again.
“There is no way anybody can guarantee me that a smart gun would fire each and every time the officer pulled the trigger. ”
King County Sheriff John Urquhart says the technology could save civilian lives, but errs on the side of caution.
“Until we’re convinced the technology is there … then we’re certainly not going to go in that direction, because we have to protect our lives as well as the public every single day,” Urquhart told KIRO TV. “This is really, really good technology that can save a lot of lives. It’s just not there yet.”
Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced he will roll out his own plan today. He’ll give a speech at the Navos Mental Health Center in Burien at noon.
The issue of gun control continues to have split reactions. On one side there are even Seahawks who have taken up the fight against the gun industry. Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner showed his support for a campaign that is asking people to stop investing in gun companies.
“I’ve been at parties where I just left the party and maybe 10-15 minutes later, you know, I heard that somebody got shot and didn’t make it,” says in a video that features celebrities, such as Snoop Dogg.
Meanwhile, gun shops are reacting to local laws in Seattle. Precise Shooter on Aurora Avenue, is closing his gun shop and moving it to Lynnwood after a recent court ruling gave Seattle approval to impose a tax on gun sales.
