Washington State Initiative 1639 In Limbo

In November 2018, Washington State voters were asked to make a decision on new gun control regulations. I-1639 is titled “The Public Safety and Semiautomatic Assault Rifle Act”, which was declared as “An ACT to increase public safety by implementing firearm safety measures, including requiring enhanced background checks, waiting periods, and increased age requirements for semiautomatic assault rifles, and secure gun storage for all firearms.”

I-1639 became law after receiving a 59.35% yes vote, passing in 14 of the state’s 39 counties. The passage of this bill has led to intensely heated debates as well as challenges in court. In his notice to the citizens of Pend Oreille County, Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee notes that, “The only portion of this law currently in effect is section 13 regarding age restrictions.” In fact, “The rest of this law does not take effect until July 1st, 2019. Numerous lawsuits have been filed to challenge this law and it may look significantly different by then.”

Along with the lawsuits being filed, there is a growing list of sheriffs state-wide who have declared I-1639 to be unenforceable and/or unconstitutional. This list includes the sheriffs of Spokane, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties.

Recently, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich held a question and answer session with local reporters; the full video from this event is available on YouTube at DPGazette.com/i1639scs.  Throughout the event, Sheriff Knezovich remained firm in his refusal to publicly state if he would or would not enforce the new law, simply pointing out that, ”I-1639 doesn’t give a sheriff anything to enforce,” as the storage standards within the law remain undefined.

Clarifying further, Sheriff Knezovich stated that he believes I-1639 to be unconstitutional based off the 2008 Supreme Court Ruling in the case of the District of Columbia V. Heller , “…Heller is very definitive. You can’t restrict a person’s ability to access their weapon for self defense.” Before I-1639 could be enforced locally, the law would need to define what safe storage is and that definition would need to pass the standards set by the Heller decision. Sheriff Knezovich reiterated that, “The day that they finally come up with what safe storage really is going to mean, it’s going to have to survive that constitutional challenge.” Until then, it appears that the fate of I-1639 will remain in limbo.

Sources

  1. Washington Secretary of State. Initiative Measure No. 1639. DPGazette.com/i1639text Accessed 3, March, 2019
  2. Washington Secretary of State. November 6, 2108 General Election Results. Initiative Measure No. 1639 Initiative Measure No. 1639 concerns firearms. – County Results. DPGazette.com/i1639results Accessed 3, March, 2019.
  3. Office of the Sheriff, Pend Orielle County, Washington. News Release, 6, Feb. 2019. DPGazette.com/i1639pocs Accessed 3, March, 2019.
  4. SpokaneSheriff. 1, Feb. 2019. I-1639 Q&A With Local Reporters Regarding Washington’s Gun Control Law. DPGazette.com/i1639scs Accessed 3, March, 2019.
Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Related Articles

WA Saves Could Cost Business Owners

Most Washington businesses without an employer-sponsored retirement plan must register for WA Saves, starting July 1, 2027, the state’s new retirement savings program. WA Saves aims to help employees build financial security by requiring businesses to offer payroll-deducted Roth IRAs managed through the state. While beneficial for workers, the program raises concerns for employers, particularly small businesses.

Read More »

Celebrate Your Community At The Annual Art Show

The SCLD Community Art Show is back, inviting artists of all ages to showcase their creativity and love for their community. Free miniature canvases will be available at Spokane County Libraries throughout February. This year’s theme, Celebrate Your Community, encourages participants to highlight what makes their hometown special.

Read More »

GreenHouse Food & Clothing Bank Change Of Hours

The GreenHouse Food and Clothing is once again adjusting its hours, this time reducing service availability and shifting to an earlier schedule. However, food bank representatives encourage those with scheduling conflicts to reach out for potential accommodations.

Read More »

Slideshow: WinterFest 2025

Deer Park’s WinterFest 2025 brought the community together with fun traditions like outhouse races, a bustling craft fair, and live music. Check out our online gallery.

Read More »

Deadline Nears For Deer Park Post Office Relocation Input

After over half a century at its current location, the United States Postal Service is proposing two potential options for the Deer Park Post Office to address the growing community’s needs. In accordance with federal law, the Postal Service is inviting public input on the proposal before finalizing its decision. However, the opportunity for citizens to share their feedback is quickly coming to an end.

Read More »

Miss Deer Park 2025: Scholarships & Opportunities Await

Sophomore and junior high school girls are invited to join the 2025 Miss Deer Park Scholarship Program. This annual event, which has awarded over $48,000 in scholarships over the past three years, offers opportunities to represent the community, build confidence, and help fund college.

Read More »

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Read more news.

Yellow construction bulldozer with a large bucket on sandy ground under a clear blue sky.

Bulldozing Historic Deer Park Home Planned By City

Built in 1911, a dilapidated home on Crawford Street may soon be demolished. The building was purchased by the city at a recent auction. City crews have already started to remove debris from around the home. The building will be checked for hazardous materials before being torn down.

Read More »

Powerful Savings for Avista Customers

Avista’s My Energy Discount program offers personalized bill discounts to eligible Washington customers based on their yearly household income and size. The program aims to lower energy bills, providing more financial flexibility to participants.

Read More »

Subscribe to our emails

Use the form below to sign up to receive news via email at no cost to you.

Read & Support The

Local news to keep you informed and entertained. The Deer Park Gazette is locally owned and operated. When you support the Deer Park Gazette, you support local writers and photographers.