I’ve never thought about it.
Tana Senn
Washington State Representative, 41st District
February 22, 2020
This was in response to the question, “What sort of gun law do you think would violate the Washington State constitution?”
[The Washington State constitution says:
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
My guess is that she has never read it. Another guy at the town hall meeting asked a related question and she went off with something about the militia. Which, of course, might have been relevant if we didn’t have the Washington State constitution protection for the right to keep and bear arms clause and the Heller decision. The Heller decision, of course, making it very clear the militia clause does not limit the right to keep and bear arms to the militia.
I got the last question of the meeting and I decided to directly ask her to address the Washington State constitution clause. The QOTD above was the beginning of her response.
The rest of her response was about hunters, she has “no problem” with hunters—as long as they don’t use “military type guns” which are only for hunting humans. She was a bit more hesitant but also said she didn’t have a problem with people who wanted to have a gun to defend themselves.
But, of course, the Washington State constitution does not give lawmakers a “military type gun” loophole to write laws restricting individual possession and use of firearms.
I find her response very telling.
If she has never concerned herself with the limits to the power she has under the constitution this isn’t going to stop. Whatever restriction she and her type can get passed this year or next, or the year after is just another step toward the practical, if not literal, elimination of the right.
I was telling someone else about what Senn said and I got a surprising response:
Crazy must run in the family.
It turns out that Senn is is a first cousin, once-removed of former Washington state Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn. Deborah Senn had a reputation such that many people suspected she was a sociopath and perhaps had other psychology issues.
My live tweeting of the meeting:
At a town hall meeting with my state representatives and senator. I see a Moms Demand Action shirt here. No pro-gun people I recognize. I hope I’m not the only one here.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman)February 22, 2020
I see a Jews For Preservation of Firearms Ownership rep is here!
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
We have been texting back and forth.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
Rep says people were carrying “automatic weapons” at the capital.
I don’t think she saw me roll my eyes.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
All the politicians have given their opening statements.
I’m inclined to pack up and leave the state.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
Rep says they don’t think there is enough support in the Senate for the new gun magazine ban the house dropped on Thursday.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
Senator complete avoided the question. Didn’t even come close. Also claims the Feds can’t study guns and criminals.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
Rep says they don’t think there is enough support in the Senate for the new gun magazine ban the house dropped on Thursday.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
I ask the house rep what sort of law she would consider an impairment of the state constitution on the right to keep and bear arms.
She said she had never thought about it. But no law she has seen qualifies.
That should be very telling about what we are up against.
— Joe Huffman (@JoeHuffman) February 22, 2020
This should be good evidence. I hope she enjoys her trial.—Joe]