County residentsÂ’ reaction to Obama gun proposals mixed

Reactions to sweeping gun control proposals made by President Barack Obama on Wednesday were as mixed locally as there were nationally.

Gun control advocates in Washington praised Obama. Ralph Fascitelli, president of Washington Cease Fire in Seattle, said that he was excited by Obama’s proposals.

“I thought it was really bold,” he said. It was comprehensive.”

Universal background checks before a gun could be purchased would be a big first step, Fascitelli said.

Scott Smith, a member of a Whidbey Island gun club, said he’s opposed to cutting off the sale of assault rifles and limiting the size of ammunition magazines, steps included in Obama’s gun plan.

“It’s not going to help, not in my opinion it won’t,” he said.

People already own hundreds of thousands of assault weapons, he said. “You’re trying to put a cork in something after it’s already gone.”

Smith said he, too, has thought about what could be done to stop events like last month’s killing of 20 schoolchildren in Connecticut.

“I’d love to do something,” he said, “but what I’d like to know is would it do something positive?”

Smith said he doesn’t know what steps could be taken to effectively curb gun violence.

“Honestly, I’ve thrown my hands up,” he said. “There’s not much of an answer. There are 65 million gun owners who use their guns correctly. Once in a while someone uses theirs incorrectly. You tell me how to weed out that one person.”

Freshman U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., issued a statement calling the president’s proposals a serious attempt to address many issues, including illegal firearms, school safety, treating mental illness and enforcing our existing laws.

Congress needs to craft responsible legislation “that both respects the Second Amendment and helps address the violence and number of gun-related deaths in our country,” she said.

Joe Waldron, legislative chairman for Washington Arms Collectors, was attending a hunting and gun trade show in Las Vegas on the day Obama’s gun plan was announced.

“Some of the things he had to say are potentially good things,” he said. “There are some things we’ll fight tooth and nail.”

Like Smith, Waldron said he objects to the proposed assault weapon ban and limiting the size of ammunition magazines.

Waldron said that 10 years ago, his group lobbied in Olympia in favor of background checks prior to gun sales in Washington if the results weren’t kept on file, but the proposal was never approved.

Smith said he would like to find some way to have more comprehensive background checks to spot people with criminal records or a history of serious mental illness.

But even a proposal involving limits on gun purchases by people with mental health issues raises its own questions.

“I’m not a mental health professional,” Waldron said. “I’m not comfortable on where to draw the line and determine if there’s adequate safeguards.”

Reporter Jerry Cornfield contributed to this report.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Girl, 11, missing from Lynnwood

Sha’niece Watson’s family is concerned for her safety, according to the sheriff’s office. She has ties to Whidbey Island.

A cyclist crosses the road near the proposed site of a new park, left, at the intersection of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett to use $2.2M for Holly neighborhood’s first park

The new park is set to double as a stormwater facility at the southeast corner of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge elevator after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator last week, damaging the cables and brakes. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Grand Avenue Park Bridge vandalized, out of service at least a week

Repairs could cost $5,500 after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator on April 27.

Riaz Khan finally won office in 2019 on his fifth try. Now he’s running for state Legislature. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ex-Democrat leader from Mukilteo switches parties to run for state House

Riaz Khan resigned from the 21st Legislative District Democrats and registered to run as a Republican, challenging Rep. Strom Peterson.

Shirley Sutton
Sutton resigns from Lynnwood council, ‘effective immediately’

Part of Sutton’s reason was her “overwhelming desire” to return home to the Yakima Valley.

Michelle Bennett Wednesday afternoon during a meet-and-greet with Edmonds Police Chief finalists at the Edmonds Library on August 4, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Edmonds police chief accidentally fires gun inside police vehicle

Michelle Bennett was at a city fueling facility when her gun went off. Nobody was injured. Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen was reviewing the incident.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Gunshot prompts massive police response near Darrington; ends peacefully

A man wanted for robbery fired a shot when deputies converged. Authorities shut down Highway 530 near Darrington. No deputies were injured.

Everett
Dog rescued, 10 displaced after apartment fire south of Everett

Fire crews rescued a dog from the third floor of an apartment building, where sprinklers confined the fire.

Marysville
Marysville man arrested in alleged murder conspiracy in Anacortes

Jesse Michael Allen, of Marysville, is the fifth suspect police believe participated in an alleged kidnapping in September.

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

Rylee Fink, 3, left, stomps through the sand while other children run through the water during a low tide at Howarth Park on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stock up on sunblock: Highs in 80s could be coming to Snohomish County

Everett could hit a high of 79 on Saturday. Farther inland, temperatures could reach as high as 86 this weekend.

Neighbors stand in Lisa Jansson’s yard to get a view of the wall of processed wood remains, or “hog fuel,” building up along the property’s border with DTG on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
After complaints, county shuts down DTG’s Maltby recycling facility

For months, neighbors have reported constant noise and pollution at the facility. By July 15, DTG must stop accepting material there.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.