Several months ago I wrote an article in this publication outlining how parents can help protect their children from gun violence by preventing child access to firearms. This followed the shooting deaths in our community of two small children and the grave injury of another. Today in Newtown, CT we experienced a whole other level of threat to our children with the senseless massacre of 20 innocent school children and six adults.
What can parents do to affect change in this gun culture? What would make a difference in our community? Fact: states with stricter gun laws have fewer gun deaths. We need legislation banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, and we need to close the gun show loophole by requiring background checks on all gun sales. But we have a State Legislature with no stomach for passing any kind of gun legislation – Democrats and Republicans alike. Legislation banning assault weapons was defeated in our State in 2010 (on the grounds it threatens Second Amendment rights).
The most credible advocates for children are parents. We have a new Governor and are about to enter a new legislative session, and this presents an opportunity to demand a plan for common sense gun legislation. Our culture of gun violence cannot be changed overnight; it will take thoughtful, step-by-step measures and accountability for elected officials. The voices of parents have to be so loud as to drown out the cacophony of the gun lobby.
Most likely we will not see assault weapons banning legislation or gun show loophole legislation in 2013 in Washington state. However, there is a piece of gun legislation with bipartisan support that with a groundswell of citizen support could pass. I am referring to the Underage Firearm Possession legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Adam Kline and Rep. Chris Hurst. This legislation, which stiffens penalties for underage possession of a firearm, has the support of King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, the Second Amendment Foundation and Washington CeaseFire. Currently, a youth 17 or younger is caught with a firearm five times before getting anything more than a slap on the wrist. The new law would result in mandatory detention for 15 weeks upon the second offense, and it is aimed at early intervention and rehabilitation. This is a law that could save lives.
It is easy to feel hopeless about changing our gun culture, especially since there has been no legislative traction in our state for new gun laws. But this current Underage Possession Legislation is the perfect rallying point for parents. It provides a very specific way for parents (read: child advocates) to become a cohesive voice for change and to demand action from our Legislators. Consider organizing your friends, neighbors and colleagues to demand our Legislators and Governor Elect Inslee support this law. It is a first step.
