Grandmothers Against Gun Violence

Who said “don’t mess with Grandmothers!” could have been referring to this group of high energy, involved women trying to make a difference….which they did when Washington State passed the bill in the last election more than a year ago to demand gun purchase background checks.. They are persistent and are going next week to the State capitol to lobby the legislators to pass 2 more gun related bills…EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS (which allow families and law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily remove a person’s access to firearms if they can present evidence that demonstrates that person is threatening themselves or others) and CHILD ACCESS PREVENTION (which holds adults responsible for keeping guns out of the hands of children by creating criminal liability when a negligently used firearm is used by a child to harm themselves or others).    They will hand deliver letters written by anyone (not just grandmothers!) to their own district legislators.   Small steps for a big problem.   
The program at today’s quarterly meeting was Deputy Police Chief Carmen Best, a wonderful spokeswoman for the Seattle police who spoke about currant programs and answered a lot of tough questions.   

The whole legislative process is so complicated and involved and there are so many important issues…one needs to be extremely patient before stuff happens…but I know the grandmothers won’t give up.   I’ve supported this group for a few years but confess this is the first meeting I’ve been to.

 link:  GAGV.   If anyone in WA state reads this and wants to write a letter to go with them to Olympia next Tuesday, you could send them quickly to the GAGV office.   Go to the EVENTS section of the GAGV website for a sample letter.... but an email to your particular legislators would be good too!  The Extreme risk bill died there last session.. California passed a similar one.. hopefully Washington can follow---but where oh where are the federal legislators?