Gun Violence
A & Q
THE RACE:
Senate | District 12
TES A D I D N A C ASK THE
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: What, if anything, should the state Legislature do to address gun violence? CANDIDATES:
BRAD HAWKINS
JON WYSS
State representative, 2013-present; currently compliance officer with Douglas County PUD, where he’s worked since 2001
Analyst and government affairs director for Brewster fruit company Gebbers Farms (2005-present)
prefers Republican Party
prefers Republican Party
ANSWER: Washington State ranks below average for gun violence, but any amount is too much. Many criminals involved in gun-related deaths are already prohibited from possessing guns, so aggressive enforcement of existing laws is important. The state Legislature should help ensure that law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep communities safe. Matching grants to counties for enforcement officers and mental health counselors could assist areas experiencing increased gun violence. While homicides from firearms receive most of the attention, suicides by guns remain a major cause of death in our state. I supported House Bill 2793 during the 2016 legislative session to increase suicide prevention and education. This bill will provide opportunities for firearms dealers and shooting ranges to receive suicide awareness messages and to participate in suicide prevention training. I am supportive of efforts to address gun violence that do not infringe on people’s constitutional rights.
ANSWER: Washington State has some of the toughest gun laws on the books and additional laws added by initiative. The biggest item that would assist in reducing gun violence is to enforce current laws already on the books and take criminals off the streets by prosecuting them under these laws. Also, why do we keep letting violent criminals out just to re-offend? Since 1994, federal law has required dealers to initiate a background check before selling or otherwise transferring a firearm, whether at a gun show or anywhere else. This is a good thing and must be continued.
If you have a question you’d like to ask the candidates in any race in North Central Washington please your suggestion to [email protected].
2016
ELECTI N GUIDE
WENATCHEEWORLD.COM
elections.wenatcheeworld.com
THE RACE:
Senate | District 12
TES A D I D N A C ASK THE
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: What, if anything, should the state Legislature do to address gun violence? CANDIDATES:
BRAD HAWKINS
JON WYSS
State representative, 2013-present; currently compliance officer with Douglas County PUD, where he’s worked since 2001
Analyst and government affairs director for Brewster fruit company Gebbers Farms (2005-present)
prefers Republican Party
prefers Republican Party
ANSWER: Washington State ranks below average for gun violence, but any amount is too much. Many criminals involved in gun-related deaths are already prohibited from possessing guns, so aggressive enforcement of existing laws is important. The state Legislature should help ensure that law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep communities safe. Matching grants to counties for enforcement officers and mental health counselors could assist areas experiencing increased gun violence. While homicides from firearms receive most of the attention, suicides by guns remain a major cause of death in our state. I supported House Bill 2793 during the 2016 legislative session to increase suicide prevention and education. This bill will provide opportunities for firearms dealers and shooting ranges to receive suicide awareness messages and to participate in suicide prevention training. I am supportive of efforts to address gun violence that do not infringe on people’s constitutional rights.
ANSWER: Washington State has some of the toughest gun laws on the books and additional laws added by initiative. The biggest item that would assist in reducing gun violence is to enforce current laws already on the books and take criminals off the streets by prosecuting them under these laws. Also, why do we keep letting violent criminals out just to re-offend? Since 1994, federal law has required dealers to initiate a background check before selling or otherwise transferring a firearm, whether at a gun show or anywhere else. This is a good thing and must be continued.
If you have a question you’d like to ask the candidates in any race in North Central Washington please your suggestion to [email protected].
2016
ELECTI N GUIDE
WENATCHEEWORLD.COM
elections.wenatcheeworld.com
