Nineteenth Legislative District state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has reaffirmed his commitment to public safety and constitutional rights during the 2025 legislative session, he stated in a news …
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Nineteenth Legislative District state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has reaffirmed his commitment to public safety and constitutional rights during the 2025 legislative session, he stated in a news release this week.
“Gun control is not the answer, crime control is,” Walsh said.
Walsh is taking a stand against bill proposals he argues will harm law-abiding Washingtonians without addressing the root causes of violence.
“It’s no surprise that some extreme anti-gun rights legislators and groups are pushing for more constitutionally dubious firearm restrictions this year,” Walsh stated in the release. “They’re worried that their previous proposals are losing in court, so they’re anxious to ‘make hay’ before the courts overturn their bad ideas. But some of these proposals are so extreme, so flagrantly in violation of the letter and spirit of Article 1, Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution, that they beggar belief.”
Walsh said the decade-long push for restrictive gun control has failed to deliver results.
“For over 10 years, extreme anti-gun rights activists in Olympia have been impairing and infringing the right of law-abiding Washingtonians to defend themselves,” he said. “During that same time, homicides are up, violent assaults are up and crimes of all sorts are up. The anti-gun rights activists claim their proposals will make Washington safer. But they haven’t. Their ideas have failed.”
Instead of imposing further restrictions on responsible gun owners, Walsh supports practical reforms that focus on criminals who misuse firearms, he said in the release.
He highlighted several bills introduced this session that reflect this approach:
House Bill 1118 (co-sponsored by Walsh): Establishes a structured process for individuals prohibited from firearm possession to petition for the restoration of their rights, ensuring public safety while providing a fair path to regain firearm ownership responsibly.
House Bill 1139 (sponsored by Rep. Sam Low): Strengthens public safety by imposing stricter penalties for unlawful firearm possession, targeting criminals who pose the greatest risk to communities.
Senate Bill 5056 (sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner): Centralizes and standardizes the background check process to ensure compliance with state and federal laws while implementing measures to address system outages, fund the program and protect sensitive data. However, Walsh noted that it does add regulatory and financial burdens on firearm dealers and purchasers.
“These are the kinds of sensible reforms that will make our neighborhoods safer. They focus on criminals and respect the rights of law-abiding citizens,” Walsh stated in the release. “We need to enforce existing laws and punish those who commit crimes with firearms, not penalize responsible gun owners.”
In contrast, Walsh criticized several gun control bills proposed this session. Walsh added his critique of the bills, which is included below.
House Bill 1132: Imposes arbitrary limits on firearm and ammunition purchases, which Walsh argues would burden law-abiding gun owners without deterring criminal activity.
House Bill 1152: Creates restrictive, secure storage requirements for firearms in vehicles and residences, penalizing lawful gun owners and complicating self-defense in emergencies.
House Bill 1163: Mandates permits, burdensome training requirements, extended transfer delays, intrusive reporting, and increased record-keeping, placing undue burdens on law-abiding citizens.
Senate Bill 5140: Imposes restrictive requirements on firearm purchases, transfers, and possession, including permits, delays, and invasive reporting, undermining constitutional freedoms.
Senate Bill 5098: Establishes broad restrictions on lawful weapon possession in public spaces, leaving law-abiding individuals defenseless and failing to deter criminals.
Senate Bill 5099: Creates costly and burdensome regulations on firearms dealers, including strict security, surveillance, and record-keeping requirements, high licensing fees, and mandatory training, which could drive small dealers out of business and discourage lawful gun ownership.
Walsh concluded by urging legislators to prioritize solutions that address the real drivers of violence.
“Washington’s Constitution provides strong protections for your right to defend yourself — protections that are even clearer and more compelling than the federal Second Amendment,” Walsh stated in the release. “Let’s honor that principle. Let’s focus on crime control, not gun control. All Washingtonians will be safer and more secure when we do.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing where the public can comment on several gun control proposals.
The 2025 legislative session began on Monday, Jan. 13, and will run for 105 days.