Issue Position: Gun Violence

Issue Position

Gun violence is an epidemic in Washington and in our country. We can and must do more to prevent it. In Washington, we've already taken great steps, but there is still more to do.

This year, Washingtonians will be able to vote for a common-sense way to make our state safer; Initiative 1639 would raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic assault rifle to 21, and make sure that people who want to purchase these weapons have gone thorugh the same kind of background checks already required for handgun owners. It's a comprehensive measure to keep schools and our communities safe. I sponsored a bill last session that would have done this, but I wasn't able to get it to the Governor's desk.

Once we pass I-1639, we can and should do more legislatively to pass evidence-based gun violence prevention policies that will make Washington safer and save lives. As Chair of the committee that hears all gun violence legislation in the House of Representatives and as a long-time public health worker, I support taking additional common sense steps to prevent gun violence.

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