August is “National Shooting Sports Month,” complete with a statement from the White House encouraging Americans to participate “in recreational and sport shooting activities to continue to learn from this tradition and to promote a culture of safety and responsibility,” but in Washington State, that means anti-gunners are working to elect local lawmakers who will help erode Second Amendment rights.
The Seattle-based Alliance for Gun Responsibility, a billionaire-backed gun prohibition lobbying group, sent out an email blast with a link to its website revealing the names of 28 candidates being endorsed for this year’s local election primaries. As the late Congressman Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill of Massachusetts observed, “All politics is local.”
While Winchester Ammunition is encouraging public participation in the shooting sports, and President Donald Trump’s press office issued the following statement, anti-gunners are hard at work to turn Second Amendment rights into regulated privileges.
“During National Shooting Sports Month, we celebrate the cherished tradition of recreational and sport shooting activities. Shooting sports bring people together and instill comradery among a significant portion of its fellow enthusiasts. The vibrant shooting sport culture is made possible, in large part, by our steadfast protection of one of our bedrock and most-cherished liberties, the right to keep and bear arms.
“Americans have a long history of participating in recreational and sport shooting activities. Early sharpshooters participated in matches to entertain family and friends and test their skills for a prize. During the turn of the 18th century, these competitions grew in popularity and legends like Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley began to enthrall audiences around the world. Today, talented Americans rigorously train for worldwide competitions, including the Olympic and Paralympics Games. Whether amateur or professional, shooting sport athletes possess the traits that characterize the best of our Nation—they are disciplined, determined, passionate, and confident.
“As President, the safety of the American people is my top priority, and I want to ensure that those participating in shooting sports—one of our Nation’s greatest traditions—have the proper facilities to learn how to operate a firearm responsibly. That is why I was proud, earlier this year, to sign into law H.R. 1222, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act. This important legislation will support State wildlife management agencies as they construct or expand shooting ranges, providing more opportunities for citizens to safely and properly learn marksmanship skills. My Administration has also expanded access to America’s public lands, opening millions of acres for use, including by hunters and recreational shooters. And, in June, my Administration announced a plan to open an additional 1.4 million acres in national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries to new or expanded hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities. These actions will help ensure a perpetual investment in wildlife and habitat conservation, foster responsible stewardship, and increase interest in shooting sports for current and future generations.
“As we celebrate this National Shooting Sports Month, I encourage all those participating in recreational and sport shooting activities to continue to learn from this tradition and to promote a culture of safety and responsibility.”
Meanwhile, in the Evergreen State, the Alliance is endorsing:
State Sen. Liz Lovett (D-40th District);
King County Council members Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Joe McDermott, both veteran anti-gunners when they served in the state legislature;
Mayoral candidates Mike Nelson (Edmonds), Angela Birney (Redmond) and Ben Stuckart (Spokane);
Breean Beggs for Spokane City Council president;
For city council positions: Jeremy Barksdale and Janice Zahn (Bellevue), Sofia Aragon (Burien), Alicia Crank, Susan Paine and Laura Johnson (Edmonds), Lisa Anderson (Bellingham), Jamila Taylor and Katherine Festa (Federal Way), Wendy Weiker (Mercer Island), Lisa Herbold, Tammy Morales, Jim Pugel and Dan Strauss (Seattle), Lori Kinnear and Karen Stratton (Spokane), Keith Blocker and Kristina Walker (Tacoma);
And for school board positions Carin Chase and Rory Graves (Edmonds), and Liza Rankin (Seattle).
While this is only happening in a region of Washington State, there is a lesson in this for gun owners all over the landscape. The gun prohibition movement is getting involved right down to local school boards. If it happens in Washington, it could be coming to a city, town or school district close to you.
