Lawmakers in Washington state are working on measures to require universal background checks for all gun sales. It is urgent to show support TODAY, as the effort is at a key moment in the Senate.
Go to www.washingtonceasefire.org for sample letters and to connect directly with your legislator. Or use the hotline number below to call.
Call your state Senator and Representative today to make sure they know you want them to stand with the majority of Washington and pass common sense gun reforms.
You can reach them by calling the Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
When you are connected to your state legislator’s office tell them 4 things:
- Tell them your name and where you are from.
- Tell them that you are concerned about gun violence and you support common sense gun reforms.
- Tell them that you believe this issue deserves a vote this legislative session.
- Tell them that you specifically support universal background checks for all gun sales.
Universal background checks are a key provision in President Obama’s national plan to stem gun violence. But some lawmakers in Washington don’t want to wait to see if Congress acts. State Representative Jamie Pedersen – chair Washington’s House Judiciary Committee – cites this example: At a recent gun turn-in in Seattle people started selling firearms nearby.
Pedersen, a Democrat, says that reinforces the need to broaden the background check requirement.
“This will make a difference in some cases,” he says. “It will probably prevent some guns of getting into the hands of people who ought not to have them. And so it’s a small step that we can and therefore should take.”
Pedersen’s proposal is co-sponsored by a Republican who is also a police officer.
The measure would expand the checks beyond gun stores to also include person-to-person gun sales.
