OLYMPIA — After a brief break, — gun-rights supporters held a rally here almost exactly a month ago — the skirmish over Washington state gun laws resumes Thursday.
At 9 a.m., gun-rights supporters will rally at the steps of the Capitol for the “594 Rally for Sanity.”
I-594, which voters approved in November, expanded gun-purchase background checks beyond the federal requirements to include private sales and transfers, such as some found online or at gun shows.
After the rally, event organizers have urged demonstrators to visit with their legislators “about the many flaws of I-594 and other firearms rights issues,” according to the rally’s Facebook page.
Unlike December’s display of semi-automatic rifles, however, rally organizers are urging people not to bring their long guns.
“Please leave your long arms home to avoid scaring uncommitted legislators into the arms of Bill Gates, Nick Hanauer and the rest of the 594 crowd,” reads the Facebook page, referring to I-594’s well-heeled financial backers. “We’re going to Olympia to create a positive impression and WIN, not to put on a media show.”
Later in the day, the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility is holding a news conference to announce a scoring system it says will hold lawmakers accountable on how they vote on gun-violence bills.
“The announcement represents the state’s first system for holding Washington State legislators accountable for their stances on gun responsibility,” according to a statement by the alliance.