In a heated Senate hearing in Olympia, gun rights advocates rally against a proposed bill aimed at closing the ‘gun show loophole’ by expanding background check requirements at such events. While supporters argue that the legislation aims to prevent unlawful sales, opponents cite a decade-old federal study suggesting less than 1% of guns used in violent crimes are sourced from gun shows, claiming the measure would do little to reduce crime.
Senate Bill 5197’s sponsor, Senator Rodney Tom, asserts that the legislation seeks to align gun show sales with standard retail practices, preventing weapons from falling into the wrong hands. However, despite backing from Seattle’s police chief, the bill’s fate remains uncertain, facing significant political challenges in the House, where Speaker Frank Chopp indicates a lack of support among his colleagues, particularly from those aligned with the NRA.
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