Letters to the editor for Feb. 13
The window of opportunity for gun control
Since the Federal Assault Weapons ban expired on Sept. 13, 2004, the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution has been under debate. Gun control advocates are highlighting the statistics of mass shootings and violent crime and their impacts on our communities.
Last week, on Jan. 22, a violent gang shooting took place in Seattle, injuring seven, including a 9-year-old boy, and killing one woman. This legislative session state representatives have the opportunity to work towards providing new sections of law for the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) that will increase gun control. Even though there are adequate laws in Chapter 9.41 Firearms and Dangerous Weapons of the RCW.
On Jan. 21, the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee of the State House of Representatives hosted public hearings on five new house bills addressing gun control concerns. These bills are aimed at redefining and regulating possession of current weapons, rebranding semi-automatic rifles as assault weapons, enacting restrictions on what is considered “high capacity” magazines to include any device that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and finally new laws requiring the same level of control for ammunition as is applied to firearms.
With Democratic control of all three branches of government, now could be the time to act. Democrats could take advantage of this alignment of all three policy streams in order to enact strong gun control legislation in Washington state and send a message to the nation.
Washington’s soil health initiative
Soil health is the new poster child to combat climate change. Washington’s soil health initiative will move Washington forward by developing state-based research and best practices that will become increasingly necessary under the unique-to-each-region pressures that climate change will continue to impose.
This bill will fund new soil health research, extension, and demonstration activities that will further evaluate and deliver best management practices for our state’s diverse agricultural systems, improving profitability for farmers, preservation of farmland, production of nutritious food, carbon sequestration and water quality.
Washington has a diverse agricultural ecosystem creating a unique opportunity for farmers to produce a variety of crops, with an annual production value approaching $11 billion for our state’s economy.
How does my food get from farms to my fork? I want to buy food that is healthy, sustainable and environment friendly. I do not want my purchases to have a negative impact on the environment.
This bill is a benefit to rural and urban Washington. If urban areas can find ways to have healthy soils in our cities, urban landscapes will absorb and clean storm water more efficiently. Senate Bill 6306, the soil health initiative, has a lot of win-win for people all across Washington.
If you want to take an active role in combating climate change and the next frontier in agricultural research, support Senate Bill 6306. I strongly urge you to contact your local state senator and representatives.