Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on SB 6396
Posted by: Gordon Medley
in Legislative
on Jan 26, 2010 
Tagged in: weapons ban
Note: The topic SB6396 in this video ends at time mark: 01:05:10
Bill sponsor: Senator Adam Kline
(Former Students For Democratic Society (SDS) member)
The main hearing room was jam packed as was the hallways and at least one of the overflow rooms, which is where I sat to listen in. Two big names that supported the bill were on hand to provide their opinion on the matter or what is an assault weapon and its lethality. They were Linda Pillo, Bellevue, WA Police Chief and Ralph Fascitelli - President of "Washington Cease Fire." It was interesting to note that the Bellevue Chief, Linda Pillo, came to testify in support of the bill. She claimed to be speaking for herself but chose to wear her uniform while giving her personal opinion.
Another point I picked up on were the statistics Ralph Fascitelli used in bolstering his support.
- He labeled what he described at assault weapons as "Mil-Grade" or Mil-Spec assault weapons. (It is already illegal for the general public to buy, purchase or possess a Military grade weapons system.)
- He emphasized that the 1994 incident involving Dean Mellberg at Fairchild AFB, WA was conducted by someone with no criminal record. (Yeah, I'll give him that. But, Dean Mellberg was discharged from the Air Force for severe psychological reasons. He should/could not have passed a background check.
- He dragged in Aaron Sullivan's name alleging the weapon used was an assault weapon. (Again, the weapon used to kill Aaron was NOT an assault weapon. Sullivan's mother wasn't even aware of the weapon type used in the homicide.)
- He called them "Weapons of War" (None of the weapons an ordinary civilian can buy are "Weapons of War." The military simply doesn't use them because they are NOT assault weapons...they only look simliar.)
- Polling - He claimed an independent poll revealed that almost 80% of Washington citizens support banning "assault" weapons. (Really? I wonder what questions were used and what base of folks were asked the questions.)
I would be interested in hearing your opinion on this. Please leave your comments below.
Here's what the hallways looked like before the hearing. There were also several folks in and around the building with open carry firearms.
Gordon Medley
Watchmen Investigations
P.O. Box 5307
Lacey, WA 98509
Tel: 360-450-2095
Fax: 253-267-8243
Website: www.watchmenpi.com
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Chris Lemagie
said:
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... To say that I am concerned with the manner in which Adam Kline ran this hearing is a major understatement. He is woefully misinformed when it comes to firearm safety, lethality and statistics relating to violent crimes committed with firearms of any type or configuration. My first concern comes in the form of one of the proponents of the bill that Mr. Kline had speaking. Linda Pillo's specific comments on the incident where 10 officers were injured in a bank robbery as a result of the assailants using assault weapons raised the hair on the back of my neck. What she failed to mention is that those assailants were wearing full body armor (including helmets) and that the weapons they were carrying were ILLEGAL fully automatic weapons. There is already legislation in place banning fully automatic weapons and it did not stop these individuals. This type of misinformation being presented at a Senate Hearing is very damaging to the public's perception of this bill and is very underhanded on Mr. Kline’s and Linda Pillo's part. I also take issue with the fact that Mr. Kline was obviously very willing to let the hearing end with the proponents having more individuals speak than the opponents. When Senator Roach pointed this out and he agreed to let another opponent speak he was very keen to ensure that the opponents were not able to present a speaker with factual data showing that legislation like this is ineffective. Lastly regarding Mr. Kline, he was perfectly willing to let individuals clap at a statement made by him however he seemed to be greatly upset and stated that "This is not entertainment" when the hearing attendees clapped at Senator Roaches statements. I am very concerned that even though the opponents to this bill had decades worth of information provided by multiple studies across various states they were in some cases shut down by Mr. Kline. As the author of SB 6393 I do not believe that it was in the states best interest to have Mr. Kline chair this meeting. It was not chaired impartially. I implore all Washington State residence who are concerned with this bill to please e-mail Mr. Kline (in addition to your own senators) at kline_ad@leg.wa.gov expressing your concerns with this bill. If you are concerned with the manner in which he chaired this meeting please express that as well. |
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Kelvin ONeal
said:
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... Well put Walt, Thanks for the honorable mention. May I clarify; I meant that Adam Kline's arrogance could and should get him replaced. I advocate against anyone who would deny my right to keep and bear arms. Veteran of 25 years in the Air Force, Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and NRA member. |
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Walt S
said:
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... Ladies and gentlemen, I served in the Marine Corps, worked in the Nuclear Industry, and have spent the last 28 years of my life in the Private Security sector working with every Law Enforcement agency at some point. I have previewed the reports from most of the crimes committed against our citizens and Law Enforcement alike. I have read the proposed bill and I’m not shocked at the arrogance of this individual or the political party he represents, his quote “I’m a legislator” made during the hearing adds insult to the educated people of Washington State and those entrusted to protect its citizens. He fails to understand that this bill will remove all of the weapons currently being used by Private Security Officers in the course of protecting, our Federal Banks, Military installations, armored cars transporting Your Money, and let’s not forget the nuclear facilities currently under Private Security enforcement. I’m a life member of just about all organizations that support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms, an active member of Gun Owners of America, I suggest to all LEGISTATOR’S that they spend our money and their time focusing on enforcing the Law’s currently on the books, find more budget money for our Law Enforcement to hire more officers to combat the CRIMINALS who break the Law, and stop attacking those who will stand up an protect this country at a moment’s notice. To Kevin I add Scott Brown was out spent, outnumbered and all expected him to get stomped and yet still he won, it’s time to wake up, because “Yes we can” just got changed to “No you can’t” and if you think I’m just shouting from the roof tops just watch the next round of Senatorial and Congressional elections both at the State and Federal levels. Why did Barry suddenly back off his health care agenda to give Scott time to get seated? And why is the gun ban proposals at the Federal level getting beat down as well? It’s time to focus on the real issues that face AMERICA and stop attacking law abiding American’s. |
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Rob
said:
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... I see so many people in one place carrying guns, crime must have been out of control.... Those dam guns causing all those problems! |
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Ron
said:
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... I am a retired law enforcement officer, prior military and have been involved with law enforcement groups for 30 plus years. I feel that the proposed bill is an assault on my rights and strongly contest it. Guess its time to join the NRA. The anti-gun advocates are slanting the information regarding their reasons to ban such weapons. |
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Josh
said:
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... Did anybody who was there know if the younger asian guy in the suit who was interviewing people with the flip-cam in the hallway was going to post those interviews online somewhere? I would like to see them. |
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Sid Woodcock
said:
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... Ladies and gentlemen, I have worked with the FBI, CIA, and other organizations most of my life. I have been an expert witness on the World trade center bomb, The Oklahoma bomb and most other terrorist bombs in the USA, I have also worked on anti terrorist activity in England, Ireland, Germany Austria China and other countries. The one thing I have learned over the last 50 years of my service is that forbidding guns to honest people only empowers the criminal. Look at every state with anti gun laws. They have the highest crime rates. Switzerland has the lowest crime rate of any country. There it is the law that you must have a gun in your house. Gun laws have no effect on criminals. That is why they are criminals. Please do not make the mistake here in Washington of outlawing guns. Respectfully, Sid Woodcock |
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noid
said:
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... Kline is such an arrogant douche. I'm continually impressed at how the pro-gun folks can keep their cool when interacting with that guy as he's clearly trying to push as many buttons as possible. He seems to almost revel in his ignorance. His arguments are poorly formed and largely based on fallacy. I'd almost have respect for the guy if he just came out and said what he's really getting at, and that he knows his anti-gun measures will have no impact on crime..he just doesn't like them and wants to see the public disarmed. At least then he'd be honest. Great post though, good summary of today's events. |
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Gordon Medley
said:
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... In overhearing several of the personnel that work in the building where this hearing was held, many said they had not seen a turn out like this in a long long time. It's estimated the 9 out of 10 folks there were in opposition of the bill. On another note, Senator Pam Roach - 31st District, Auburn, WA was a real "pistol" (no pun intended) in punching holes through the half-truths that were presented as facts by supporters of this bill. She actually took the time to return my call and offer thanks for supporting her. I was very impressed to say the least. |
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Rusty
said:
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... Kline provides the usual deflective blather that tries to convince the uneducated public that an AR-15 is somehow more lethal than, say getting hit by the bullets from grampa's old Model 94 30-30. Any rifle that is used to attack others is an assault rifle. At about the 6:00 minute mark, he clearly states that the murderer fully intended to kill another person. Just how would a ban have stopped by any such legislation? This is flimsy and purposeful misguidance at it's best. |
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