First: Hooray!

Second: To be totally straight, the group of religious leaders and law enforcement isn’t officially saying that they’re running an initiative to require background checks—but they may as well say it. Today they sent a press release that says on Monday they will “will announce plans to pursue background checks in Washington State” through “both legislative efforts, and as a potential ballot initiative.” And since legislative efforts have failed, well, that leaves a ballot initiative. I posted their press release after the jump. So hooray!

Third: The Democrats in Olympia are worthless on gun safety. They never made an assault-weapons ban a priority in their own caucuses—never even made it a priority among themselves!!—because they’re afraid of the NRA. Because they can wait for the public to spend the money, do the work, and the pass laws when the legislature is too timid to even try, even though 87 percent of Washington State voters support background checks and 66 percent support banning semi-automatic assault weapons. Hey, House Speaker Chopp and Senator Democratic leader Ed Murray, thanks for whatever it is you did down there this year!

Fourth: This will pass.

Faith Leaders, Law Enforcement and Victims of Gun Violence Will Announce Plans to Pursue Background Checks in Washington State
Press Conference will reflect on stalled legislative efforts to reduce gun violence in Washington State and federally

SEATTLE—Dozens of regional interfaith and denominational faith leaders are uniting for a news conference Monday, April 29 at 9:30 am in Seattle’s Town Hall to make an important announcement at the official end of the State’s Legislative Session. Initially formed in December following the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 students and 6 teachers lost their lives, on Monday they will be joined by victims of gun violence and by law enforcement.

Since that time, they have joined efforts with the newly-formed Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility to promote closing background check loopholes in Washington State through both legislative efforts, and as a potential ballot initiative.

Those plans will be announced at the Monday event.

Speakers will include (so far):
· Rev. Dr. Sandy Brown, First United Methodist Church; Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility
· Cheryl Stumbo, Jewish Federation Tragedy Survivor
· Jasmit Singh, Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington
· The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason, Dean – Rector, St. Mark’s Cathedral
· Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Temple De Hirsch Sinai
· Rev. Paul Benz, Faith Action Network
· The Very Reverend Michael G. Ryan, St. James Cathedral
· Sheriff John Lovick, Snohomish County

Other representatives from the Alliance will be on hand to address specific questions about political and electoral aspects of the issue.