Unhappy with I-594

Initiative 594 is confusing to me, with its many references to other Washington laws. It will take days to research.

Background checks would not have stopped the Newtown, Conn., shooter. He stole the guns. The Aurora, Colo., theater shooter and Tucson shooter of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords passed background checks.

The elite donate millions of dollars for I-594. They could care less if it costs normal citizens money, time and inconvenience. They haven’t read the full implication, only that it “Apply to all gun sales and transfers” and leave it at that.

I bought a .22 rifle at garage sale for $30. Post I-594, I will pay a dealer a $20 transfer fee. How many sellers would make two trips to a dealer for the transfer? Would seller and buyer both pay the fee? Why is there no exception for a concealed pistol license?

Dealers will vote for this law. It’s a major revenue generator. You don’t think the backers of the initiative didn’t consider that? The antique exemption is only for muzzle-loaders or firearms made before 1898, and only if ammunition is not available, making my single-shot .45/70 1873 trap-door rifle not exempt. Wonderful!

Vote no on Initiative 594.

Fred Phillips

Chewelah, Wash.