The Grays Harbor County Commission passed a resolution in opposition to the gun control measures in Initiative 1639 by a 2-1 vote Tuesday.
Commission President Randy Ross again said, "We all agree this is a bad law and I will continue to say so and work through our local state legislators to find a fix for this initiative," but voted against the resolution.
"It is not a good idea for commissioners to take a formal stand against a constitutional issue for which they have no legal or legislative control over," he said before the resolution was passed.
Ross said he did not believe a resolution was the answer.
"Resolutions are used by a legislative body to express support of an idea or opinion, not to legislate or interpret the law." After the vote he said, "I don't think a resolution should be used for this reason."
Commissioner Wes Cormier said a resolution is appropriate as the implementation of the initiative, which passed with nearly 60 percent of the statewide vote last November, does affect the county "with regards to the budget." Raines agreed with Cormier, saying, "The implementation of this law will impact the economy of the county" and a resolution would send a stronger message to the state attorney general, Gov. Jay Inslee and the Legislature about the county's opposition to the initiative and the need to explore ways to fix it.
Ross said the resolution, "albeit well intentioned, does not speak to all the issues and opinions I have with the passage of I-1639 and its effects on gun rights, gun ownership and constitutional protections as identified in our U.S. Constitution." He added the economic impacts, including price increases on personal lawfully purchased firearms and loss of jobs and sales tax revenues, listed in the resolution didn't address the bigger problem, the burden local law enforcement faces enforcing a law many see as conflicting with the state and U.S. constitutions.
Two public commenters felt it important that all three commissioners be on board with the resolution as it would send a stronger, unified message to the state government. Raines pointed out, however, that since the resolution did pass the version that would be presented would be signed by all three commissioners.
