Washington Republican legislator votes with Democrats to authorize bill leading to gun registration

Washington State Rep. Mike Hope (R) has crossed party lines to vote in favor of HB 1588, which would require background checks on all gun sales, including private party gun sales. His vote enabled the bill to pass 7-6 out of the House Judiciary Committee, where it will now proceed to the full House for a vote. The NRA believes this will create a state list of gunowners, making it easier to ultimately ban guns down the road. Hope, a Seattle Police Officer, formerly had an A+ rating with the NRA. Hope even admits that there is the potential of creating a registration database with this bill. Republicans control the Washington Senate; let's hope cooler minds prevail there.

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Read the NRA's press release