 Senator Brown with Senators Bailey and Short
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Olympia! This week was filled with late-night votes on the floor of the Senate as we reached the cutoff for approving legislation sent over by the House. We are now in the final stage of the session, when the work is focused on two things: ironing out differences in bills that were changed by one chamber after the other had passed it, and reaching final agreement on operating, transportation and capital budgets for the 2019-21 biennium. This needs to happen before the regular 2019 legislative session comes to an end on April 28, which is just nine days away.
Your 2nd Amendment right under attack
Two bills that would undermine your 2nd Amendment right are moving through the Legislature this session. Because the lawmaking process is controlled by one party, both bills are likely to reach the governor’s desk for his signature. As a woman, I'm concerned that these bills would have unintended consequences, which is why I voted against them.
Engrossed House Bill 1465: Right now, if you are one of the 600,000 Washingtonians who have a concealed pistol license (CPL), you can purchase a handgun without a waiting period because you have already gone through an extensive background check. However, this bill would prevent you from walking out of the dealer with your purchase until you go through another background check or waiting period -- every time you buy a handgun.
Even more concerning is how this bill would create a barrier for women who want to own a firearm for their own protection. It's the state victimizing women who are trying to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to protect themselves from being victimized. And it's unacceptable.
House Bill 1225: This bill would require law enforcement to confiscate any firearm(s) and ammunition in the household when they are called in on a report of domestic violence. It would also require law enforcement to keep the firearm(s) for five business days.
If a woman is a victim of domestic violence and the legal owner of a firearm, police should arrest the suspect but not confiscate the very thing she can use to protect herself. A domestic-violence suspect will likely be out of jail in less than five days and if the victim has no means of self-protection, she (because the victim is more often a woman) becomes a sitting duck for another attack. The state should look to protect the victim's constitutional right, not take it away.
Bill highlights
On a happier note – my bill to help real-estate appraisers was signed yesterday by the governor. SB 5480 would revise the state’s certified real-estate appraiser law to allow real-estate appraisers to temporarily put their licenses on hold (to take a break for family, medical, or other reasons) and then come back to the profession – instead of having their licenses expire. This is a great example of how you as a constituent can make a difference. The need for this to be addressed was brought to me by a constituent who ran into a roadblock when she needed to leave the profession for a period of time. Although it is too late for her, she had to do the process all over again, it is now fixed for people going forward.
Sincerely,
 Sharon Brown
State Senator
8th District
From the Olympia office: Intern Emily Greninger
Watch my latest legislative update video where I’m joined by my session intern Emily Greninger she shares information about the Legislative Intern Program and how other college students can participate in this great program.
 Click to watch this week's video update!
As always, I value hearing directly from you. I am here to be your voice, and your feedback on bills before the Senate is very important to me. If you would like to contact me please write, phone, e-mail, or stop by if you’re in the Olympia area.
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