| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 1:07 pm |
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Letters 
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ASSAULT WEAPONS Police chiefs call for a state ban Larry Simoneaux’s Dec. 28 column on assault weapons overlooks a key point. (“Enforce gun laws on books already before passing more.”)Many semi-automatic assault rifles on the market today can be easily converted to fully automatic operation with minor after-market modifications, and are often purchased with that purpose in mind. A less obvious point is that, when it comes to taking life, semi-automatic weapons are as lethal as fully automatic weapons, which were banned in the 1930s because police were being gunned down by gangsters. True, a fully automatic weapon can fire far more rounds per second, but the bullet from a semi-automatic weapon is no less deadly. All told, some 40 police officers across the country were killed by semi-automatic weapons over the last four years. FBI research shows these weapons account for nearly a quarter of police killed in the line of duty. It’s not surprising then that the International Association of Chiefs of Police have called for a ban. Yet, Washington has failed to ban assault weapons. We have introduced a bill that will ban all future sales of semi-automatic assault weapons. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding individuals’ rights under the Second Amendment also expressly upheld the rights of states to make reasonable restrictions on dangerous firearms such as assault weapons. This legislation was not introduced to limit the rights of responsible gun owners and is an important step toward ensuring the safety of our police and preventing future large-scale tragedies. Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles D-Seattle Sen. Adam Kline D-Seattle |
- A Dick's Drive-In for south Snohomish County?
- Suspect arrested in Everett manhunt after shots fired at officer
- Reardon makes pitch for Dick's Drive-In
- Man claims self-defense in killing
- A stroke of kindness for Everett woman
- Bus driver avoids I-5 tragedy in harrowing south Everett collision
- Boeing won't buy supplier
- Edmonds teen missing since Thursday
- More public housing smoking bans possible
- Charges for alleged robbery at Alderwood mall
- A Dick's Drive-In for south Snohomish County?
(54) - More public housing smoking bans possible (50)
- Mukilteo's red-light camera fight on radar of others (26)
- Income-tax initiative's math adds up (11)
- Report on Granite Falls police chief fills 5 binders (11)
- Suspect arrested in Everett after chase that shut down I-5 (9)
- Judge rules against Trafton supporters (9)
- ACLU opposes student cell phone search (9)
- Suspect arrested in Everett manhunt after shots fired at officer (7)
- Man accused of shooting at police had allegedly bought drugs (7)
- Prep football: Picks of the week
- Sixth Annual Puget Sound Bird Fest
- PTSD: The battle after the war
- Jackson relying on new faces
- Edmonds Center for the Arts announces new season
- Stevens Hospital District taxes to stay
- Mountlake Terrace seeks more success seeking more success
- Hootenanny hosts singer/songwriters
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