**CORRECTION to the Elephant Update published January 21, 2021. An alert reader pointed out that I erroneously stated that the “Central Committee voted unanimously” for the WSRP Resolution addressing Rep. Jaime Herrera-Butler. It should have read the “Executive Committee voted unanimously.” While the Executive Committee does represent the Central Committee at State meetings, it would be incorrect of me to speak for those members. Thank you.**
The WA State Legislature is well underway. We will begin sending out information on upcoming Bills and Hearings. This will seem like A LOT of information. The point is not to overwhelm the voters, but to make them aware of the issues that will directly impact us as Washingtonians. Please sift through the information. If an issue catches your attention, contact our Legislators or attend a virtual hearing. Your attendance and voice does matter.
Second Amendment Supporters Alert!
This information is submitted by Ruth Peterson, administrative assistant to Senator John Braun (R), Distirct 20. We appreciate her diligence!
If you are a 2A supporter, you probably know the Senate Committee on Law and Justice will hear comments on SB 5078 on MONDAY, from 9:30-11:30. This is a bill that bans magazines with more than 10 rounds. The Democrats have enough votes to pass this bill, so the people need to weigh in and be heard. You cannot show up by the hundreds to Olympia like usual, but what can you do? You need to sign in. Here is a sheet that will tell you a lot about how to be a part of the process – https://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Documents/2020/Accessing%20the%20Legislature%20remotely.pdf?csf=1&e=V7Lscu But how about specifics? You must sign in. We would like to see a record number of people signed on to this bill – thousands! Numbers make a difference. Even if you don’t actually want to testify, you can sign in as supporting or opposing. Click on this link – https://app.leg.wa.gov/csiremote/
At the top, you will see three buttons. Click on the Senate button.
At the top of that page, you will see a drop down box that says “Committee” and another that says “Meetings”. Chooses Law & Justice as the Committee and 1/25/2021 9:30 am for meetings.
You need to choose the bill you wish to sign in for. Choose SB 5078 Firearm Safety (Yeah – that’s what they’ve named the bill “Firearm Safety”)
As soon as you click the bill number, there are three choices – submit written testimony, testify live, or you can just sign in as supporting or opposing. There is also a link where you can see the list of people who signed in. We’d like this list to go on forever. This is a great way to show our numbers. You know the anti-2A people will organize to support. If you oppose this bill, you need to out-organize them!
Click on which you would like to do. If you do not wish to testify, but you want your voice heard, please click on this button and choose either pro, con, or other from the drop-down box.
Now here is the part that does bug some people. You have to enter your name, address, etc. This is not for some registry out there – this is to make sure you live in WA State. Think about it. If you live anywhere in the world, you have access to this site with a click of a button. Only WA State citizens can weigh in, so they have to confirm that you live here. Also, they need to know where in WA you live, so the legislators in that district get an idea of the feelings about those bills in their districts. You had to sign in when you went in person, as well. I know people don’t like to give out their personal info, but at some point – we need to make a stand. We have to. The other side is highly organized and will make it look like the majority supports this bill. We have to prove them wrong. It is public records, but so is every email you send to the Senate. Please make a stand on this. We have no other options.
Tomorrow (or tonight – if I get time) I will write about some tips and hints about testifying. But for now, go get signed in. I see a pretty long list, but not nearly the Tomorrow (or tonight – if I get time) I will write about some tips and hints about testifying. But for now, go get signed in. I see a pretty long list, but not nearly the number that signed in to the “open WA State” bill that was heard Wed morning. Let’s try to beat that record of about 1500 people!
One last thing – I’ll post about specific tips for testifying tomorrow, but when I saw the testimony on Wed for the “open up WA” bill, it was a bit eye-opening. They will cut the mic on you at 1:00 – no warning. They just cut it. Prepare your remarks, time them, and Practice. Get the top points in the first part. They will cut you off. I was a little shocked. Click on this link – I tried to get you to the right place in the video, but on my computer, when I click on the link, it goes to the right place and then it pops back to the beginning. You need to move the bar at the bottom to get to about 1:05 (one hour and 5 minutes) into the committee. I want you to listen for about 4 or 5 minutes to see how this works. I’ll write more later, but this will give you a feel for live testimony. https://www.tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2021011342&startStreamAt=4316&autoStartStream=true