Sadly the Mirror chooses to publish a column by a socialist. Mr. Roegner in his April 5 rant chooses to ignore the facts surrounding the sherrifs’ refusal to enforce I-1639.

First, 1639 was not designed to curb crime. It has no provision to do so. It has no requirement to force mental health records to be put into the NICS background check system where they should be. 1639 has no mandatory penalties for the criminal misuse of firearms. Nor does 1639 increase penalties for theft of a firearm from a gun shop. 1639 only makes a criminal of an honest citizen when their gun is stolen.

The fact is, today deaers make every attempt to keep thieves from stealing guns. But thieves being inventive are still doing so. In King and Pierce counties alone. If Mr. Roegner had looked at the BATFE website, thieves stole over 200 guns in the last three years.

The alliance for gun responsibility, and Moms Demand Action are in no way grassroots organizations. Both are heavily funded by several other billionaires that have armed security 24/7/365. These people lied to everybody about 1639. The measure was designed solely to harass honest citizens that don’t cause any problems. I personally know of twin 18 year old competitive shooters whose dad passed AR-15s to them. They are good kids with excellent grades. Both have shot and won target shooting tournaments in Australia and England. In this state they can’t have the AR-15s their dad left them.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson in writing and promoting 1639 violated several tenants of RCW. Ferguson said he would insulate himself from his official duty as attorney general while he pushed for passage. That’s misconduct as he is supposed to act only as the attorney for the state, RCW42.20.100 and RCW9a.80.010.

The Second Amendment and the state Constitution are very clear: “shall not be infringed.” Roegner should slook at Black’s Law Dictionary. The word “shall” leaves no room for discussion. We are a nation of laws. And the Constitution, both state and federal, are the supreme laws that all others must follow. In closing, I remind you, Roegner, that we do not live in a democracy. We live in a constitutional republic.

Mike Silvers

Federal Way