How Absurd is Washington Initiative 1639?

by
posted on November 20, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
washington-state.jpg (1)

Washington state’s latest set of gun restrictions—known collectively as Initiative 1639—might have gotten through the approval of voters, but that doesn’t mean it has anyone else’s approval. As a matter of fact, at least one police chief said it won’t be enforced in his jurisdiction.

Loren Culp, the police chief of Republic, Wash., says he can’t in good conscience enforce a measure that is unconstitutional. Further, he said he’ll treat Republic like it’s a sanctuary city for gun rights.

Among other things, the new collection of restrictions raises the age requirement for the purchase of certain types of firearms 21 (one aspect of the law that the NRA is challenging) and also allows for criminal charges to be filed against those who provide access of a gun to individuals who are prohibited from possessing them.

Culp’s disagreement with the set of mandates runs the gamut, as he told iFIBER ONE, “I pretty much disagree with the whole thing and all it will do is restrict law-abiding citizens. It won’t stop criminals from committing crimes.”

Regarding the age requirement, Culp says that if someone is old enough to vote and serve in the military, that individual ought to be able to buy the firearm of his choice.

Regarding the restrictions on so-called “assault weapons,” Culp says there’s no such thing as an assault weapon.

In order to give his objection more weight, he is asking the City Council to enact a city ordinance which will turn it into a “sanctuary city” when it comes to enforcing the measure.

It’s interesting that it even had to go that far, since I-1639 is an affront not only to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but also to Washington’s state constitution. But then, we can probably bet that many of the people pushing the measure and voting for have never read either.

Latest

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jason Smith
House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jason Smith

The Greatest Second Amendment Victory in a Century

On July 4, 2025, Americans celebrated not only our nation’s independence, but also the restoration of our constitutional Second Amendment rights becoming unconstrained by burdensome and arbitrary fees.

Opening Salvo | More Evidence That Gun-Control Groups are Freaking Out

With the Trump administration’s law-and-order push showing America’s crime problem is clearly not the fault of lawfully armed citizens, gun-control groups are freaking out.

John Rich has a Song for Armed Citizens

John Rich's latest song is "The Righteous Hunter." It is a moving tune about standing up to stop those with evil intentions. It is a song for lawfully armed citizens.

This Department of Education Grant Could Change Things

The University of Wyoming’s Firearms Research Center has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education to develop a nationwide program on the origins, meaning and implications of the Second Amendment.

From the Editor | Charlie Kirk Lived for Freedom

“Give me liberty, or give me death,” are the immortal words of Patrick Henry spoken on March 23, 1775, to the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, Va. His impassioned words were a call to arms against British tyranny.  

Ninth Circuit to Revisit Background Checks on Ammo Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted rehearing en banc in Rhode v. Bonta—a case backed by the National Rifle Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association. 

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.