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Hi John,
One year ago, we bore witness to the most serious attack on our democracy in more than a century. The nation watched as rioters, many armed, stormed the capitol intent on using violence or intimidation to overturn the results of a free and fair election.
The insurrection was terrifying proof of the threat of armed extremism. It also showed how guns can be used as recruiting and organizing tools for extreme groups. Thankfully, Washington D.C.’s strong gun safety laws prevented many rioters from showing up with firearms. Lives were lost that day, but things could have been even more devastating had openly-carried guns been permitted.
The former president and his enablers sowed the seeds of misinformation and created fertile ground for violence to take root. But armed extremism did not begin or end with the former president or with January 6, 2021. Since the start of the pandemic, armed protesters have taken to state capitols, demonstrations, and neighborhoods across the country attempting to interfere with the democratic process.
In Washington state, we’ve taken action to address this growing threat. Last year, the state legislature passed a bill to reject armed intimidation by prohibiting open carry at the state capitol and public demonstrations. This is a vital step to protect free speech and ensure that what happened in the other Washington never happens here.
But the threat of armed extremism extends beyond the state capitol and public demonstrations. That is why when Washington’s legislative session starts next Monday, we’ll be fighting to pass legislation that will prohibit open carry at public meetings, special polling places, and ballot counting locations.
Every country has extremists. Only in America do they have easy access to firearms. We are committed to fighting to reject armed intimidation to keep our communities safe. We’re glad to have you with us.
Onward,
Renée (she/her)
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