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This is the letter sent to the Governor an hour ago. The images shared, is the Legislative letter. This effort was spearheaded by Senator Lynda Wilson and the SAF attorneys (Joel & Matt). A big thank you to Sheriff Mack of the Constitutional Sheriffs association for the Sheriffs personal cell numbers late at night, we didn't enjoy making those calls at 9pm...but everyone I spoke with, signed on the spot.
March 27, 2020
Open Letter To Governor Inslee: Licensed Firearms Dealers Are Essential Businesses
Governor Inslee:
We, the undersigned, ask you to promptly amend your March 23, 2020 Executive Order to include licensed firearms dealers as essential businesses. There are three primary reasons for you to take this step immediately.
First, your Order threatens the continued operations of our county sheriff departments as well as many other local law enforcement departments around the state. Many of the law
enforcement officials signing this letter leads a department that relies on local licensed firearms dealers for on- and off-duty firearms and ammunition. For many of us, we and our deputies routinely purchase firearms, ammunition, and other equipment from licensed firearms dealers. Your Order shuttering those businesses will prevent members of local law enforcement departments from continuing to do so, and threaten the continued operations of local law enforcement departments around the state.
Second, your Order threatens the safety of thousands of Washington citizens. Every security business in the state relies on licensed dealers for firearms and ammunition, and your Order blocks their ability to procure the tools required to perform those jobs—jobs which your Order deems essential. It is essential that security businesses can procure the tools needed for their essential operations.
Local law enforcement officials have also seen a significant increase in background checks in this time of crisis, when thousands of Washingtonians have decided to purchase firearms for personal protection. Many of those purchases are first time buyers. Many firearms purchasers who have passed background checks will be unable to take delivery of firearms they have already selected if the dealers are required to close immediately. Many of us are responsible for the safety of large rural areas of our State, where local law enforcement cannot appear instantly in response to every threat faced by our citizens. It is vital to the safety of our citizens that they have the tools to protect themselves and their families.
Third, your Order unduly burdens the constitutional rights of the people of Washington. Licensed firearms dealers have already implemented stringent cleaning, sanitation, and social distancing rules to ensure the health and safety of themselves, their employees, and their customers. Closing licensed firearms dealers means terminating the ability of all Washington citizens to exercise the rights guaranteed to them by the Second Amendment of the U.S.Constitution and Article I, Section 24 of the Washington Constitution. Under our laws, there is no alternative way to exercise these rights. Libraries have expanded digital access to books; schools are dedicating resources to online learning; our state's medical professionals are expanding telemedicine. For citizens who elect to purchase a firearm, that can only be done in person, after a background check, in front of a licensed firearms dealer. It cannot be done remotely or online.
Health and safety precautions such as limiting the number of people in one location, social distancing, and cleaning and sanitation are of course appropriate to require, but compelling these essential businesses to close violates the state and federal constitution, threatens the safety of our citizens, and threatens the smooth operation of many local law enforcement agencies.
Please immediately reconsider your Order and add licensed firearms dealers to the list of essential businesses.
Signed by:
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich
Sheriff Mark Crider
Sheriff Adam Fortney
Sheriff Bob Songer
Sheriff Brian Burnett
Sheriff Don McDermott
Sheriff Chuck Atkins
Sheriff Kevin Morris
Sheriff Tony Hawley
Chief James McElvain
Chief Marcos Ruiz
Chief Kevin Fuhr
Chief Jeff Skeie
Sheriff Robert Udell
March 27, 2020
Open Letter To Governor Inslee: Licensed Firearms Dealers Are Essential Businesses
Governor Inslee:
We, the undersigned, ask you to promptly amend your March 23, 2020 Executive Order to include licensed firearms dealers as essential businesses. There are three primary reasons for you to take this step immediately.
First, your Order threatens the continued operations of our county sheriff departments as well as many other local law enforcement departments around the state. Many of the law
enforcement officials signing this letter leads a department that relies on local licensed firearms dealers for on- and off-duty firearms and ammunition. For many of us, we and our deputies routinely purchase firearms, ammunition, and other equipment from licensed firearms dealers. Your Order shuttering those businesses will prevent members of local law enforcement departments from continuing to do so, and threaten the continued operations of local law enforcement departments around the state.
Second, your Order threatens the safety of thousands of Washington citizens. Every security business in the state relies on licensed dealers for firearms and ammunition, and your Order blocks their ability to procure the tools required to perform those jobs—jobs which your Order deems essential. It is essential that security businesses can procure the tools needed for their essential operations.
Local law enforcement officials have also seen a significant increase in background checks in this time of crisis, when thousands of Washingtonians have decided to purchase firearms for personal protection. Many of those purchases are first time buyers. Many firearms purchasers who have passed background checks will be unable to take delivery of firearms they have already selected if the dealers are required to close immediately. Many of us are responsible for the safety of large rural areas of our State, where local law enforcement cannot appear instantly in response to every threat faced by our citizens. It is vital to the safety of our citizens that they have the tools to protect themselves and their families.
Third, your Order unduly burdens the constitutional rights of the people of Washington. Licensed firearms dealers have already implemented stringent cleaning, sanitation, and social distancing rules to ensure the health and safety of themselves, their employees, and their customers. Closing licensed firearms dealers means terminating the ability of all Washington citizens to exercise the rights guaranteed to them by the Second Amendment of the U.S.Constitution and Article I, Section 24 of the Washington Constitution. Under our laws, there is no alternative way to exercise these rights. Libraries have expanded digital access to books; schools are dedicating resources to online learning; our state's medical professionals are expanding telemedicine. For citizens who elect to purchase a firearm, that can only be done in person, after a background check, in front of a licensed firearms dealer. It cannot be done remotely or online.
Health and safety precautions such as limiting the number of people in one location, social distancing, and cleaning and sanitation are of course appropriate to require, but compelling these essential businesses to close violates the state and federal constitution, threatens the safety of our citizens, and threatens the smooth operation of many local law enforcement agencies.
Please immediately reconsider your Order and add licensed firearms dealers to the list of essential businesses.
Signed by:
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich
Sheriff Mark Crider
Sheriff Adam Fortney
Sheriff Bob Songer
Sheriff Brian Burnett
Sheriff Don McDermott
Sheriff Chuck Atkins
Sheriff Kevin Morris
Sheriff Tony Hawley
Chief James McElvain
Chief Marcos Ruiz
Chief Kevin Fuhr
Chief Jeff Skeie
Sheriff Robert Udell