Hi John,

It is hard to believe that it has been two years since January 6th. Two years since we bore witness to the most serious attack on our democracy in more than a century.

The insurrection laid bare the threat of armed extremism and showed how guns are used as recruiting and organizing tools for extremists. But armed extremism did not begin or end with the former president or with January 6, 2021. Since 2020, armed intimidation has been on the rise. Protesters have taken to state capitols, demonstrations, and neighborhoods across the country attempting to interfere with the democratic process.

We are proud that here in Washington state, we’ve taken action to address this growing threat. In the last two years, the state legislature has passed bills to reject armed intimidation by prohibiting open carry at the state capitol, public demonstrations, and public government meetings and by prohibiting the possession of firearms at school board meetings and election-related offices and facilities.

This progress will go a long way in protecting free speech and keeping our democratic spaces safe and welcoming for all. But the threat posed by firearms in public extends beyond government buildings, demonstrations, and election offices. That is why when Washington’s legislative session starts on Monday, we’ll be working to further extend commonsense firearm limits in public spaces–including parks, libraries, transit facilities, and state or local buildings.

Today, as we reflect on the events of January 6th, we are recommitting to the fight to ensure that what happened in Washington, DC doesn’t happen in this Washington.

Onward,
Renée (she/her)