Opinion
Fairfax, VA – -(Ammoland.com)- On October 18th, law-abiding gun owners won a major victory when the Washington Superior Court granted a motion for summary judgment against the City of Edmonds for violating the state’s preemption statute. This win invalidates the mandatory firearm storage ordinance passed by the City Council, and constitutes a victory for freedom and the Second Amendment.
This ordinance struck down by the court was passed by the City Council in clear violation of Washington’s state preemption statute and undeniably interfered with the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves in their homes. The NRA & SAF also filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle for passing a similar ordinance, which is now under review at the state Court of Appeals.
This ordinance and those like it would restrict self-defense by making it illegal for individuals to keep firearms in a private residence unless the firearms are kept in a “locked container.” Under this vague standard, non-compliant storage was subject to a fine of up to $10,000. This scheme was nothing short of an invasion of private property rights for the purpose of undermining our Second Amendment freedoms.
Washington State’s preemption statute was passed in 1983 to maintain consistency of firearm and ammunition laws throughout the state. The State Legislature retained full authority to regulate and create laws pertaining to firearms and ammunition to ensure such consistency. Second Amendment rights are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of where they reside. The City of Edmonds’ ordinance is exactly the type of legislation the state preemption statute was designed to guard against.
We applaud the court for upholding the rights of Washington’s law-abiding gun owners, and will continue to fight for your Second Amendment rights. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on the Evergreen State.
About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
Really now a victory? First of all these leftist communists were hoping no one would notice their anti-Constitutional rhetoric watching big city Seattle and following suit. Cities can pass ordinances but cannot prescribe law, especially if theirs conflicts with established law of higher government. Simply put they thought no one was paying attention. Evidently trying to pass illegal laws carries no consequences for oath breaking politicians and bureaucrats that continue to circumvent our Constitution. Nice try, but they are like roaches and rats, plentiful, stubborn and they keep coming back.
The only way to ensure that the swamp gets drained — and stays drained!!! — is if these swampy creatures are “escorted off the playing field (to be determined by the reader.”) Otherwise, they will simply blend in with the pond scum as part of their tactics, plotting their next takeover of this or that. To all 2A proponents: stay frosty. America IS under attack!
As a member of the GOA, I’m sorely disappointed that they were not involved in this, instead sitting back and letting the NRA carry their water.
When these anti-gunners try to pass unconstitutional laws on what you’ll do within your own homes concerning firearms the next thing they’ll want is to come in unannounced without a warrant to conduct overall safety inspections. Gun owners aren’t going to play along with anymore gun control BS that’s only aimed at law abiding citizens.
These morons are trying to get people murdered in their own homes.
A locked up weapon is the same as NO weapon.
I would pray that parents are smart enough to keep them locked up when children are around,to prevent a catastrophe you never live down.
Personally I have found it best to carry a weapon at all times,(kids can;t get to it), and I am protected 24/7.If you cannot carry a sub compact sub compact use a .380 anyone can hide those,and they have a 60% one shot stop center of mass with the best ammo.
So apparently in WA there was a problem with unlocked guns? If they were concerned about criminals obtaining weapons through theft, a safely locked weapon wouldn’t do anything to deter a burglar. Don’t know what gets into elected officials to think they are above the law or are they just ignorant, but as this occurred in Pittsburgh a lawsuit will start and the taxpayers will foot the bill for politicians virtue signalling for votes. Either way the citizens suffer for the sins of the officials.
So apparently in WA there was a problem with unlocked guns?
Nope. The problem, as always in these cases, was the unfettered minds (pardon the hyperbole) of those who would be king.
Need to send this to major potatoe in Pittsburgh and PA governor Wolf
Dear author; Was it your intention to have a contradicting statement in your title. OR, was it your intent to get someone to think, WOW, what a confusing title. Your title says two bipolar statements. The State wins and the NRA/SAF wins. BOTH cannot win. One caveat, in the article the explanation of the title was forthcoming. Please use a better title next time.
Title is clear. State preemption law wins, which was what NRA/SAF were fighting for. The City of Edmonds lost.
and on deck: the City of Seattle. Warming up in the dugout are the AtG who is fighting to keep that wretched law I 1639 alive, despiite the FACT it violates the Washington State COnstitution on several points.
And…..in the hole is Chief Culp from Republic on the east side, running against our communist governor Inslee. If elected, I believe Culp will turn this state around and the courts will negate 1639 as it not constitutional anywhere in our Republic.
The title was very clear that the state court had sided with the NRA and SAF and against the city government. Perhaps you should investigate your lack of reading comprehension.
Thank you, Will. I did!