Area resident Bob Zak believes HB 1163 is not needed
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Reading Dick Rylaner’s summary of Senator Adrian Cortes’ votes on bills from our 2025 Legislative session, Sen. Cortes voted YES on HB 1163 to “enhance public safety” by those purchasing firearms. I did send an email to Senator Cortes asking him to vote NO on this as we already have protections and background checks via the sheriff’s office in the county where the purchaser resides.
HB 1163 is not needed. It also violates our state and federal Constitution for bearing firearms. Senator Cortes did NOT respond to my email. WA State Constitution – Article 1, Section 24 “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall NOT be impaired….” Our Bill of Rights – our US Constitution – 2nd Amendment – “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.”
HB1163 is an infringement and will fail in court.
When we have tremendous budget issues, to spend time on a proposal like HB1163 which is unconstitutional on its face, is a waste of time. But then again, the legislature majority party was/is Democratic and the governor is the same party. Anyone from the majority party listening?
Bob Zak
Vancouver, Hazel Dell, Lakeshore
Also read:
- Letter: ‘Once you decide your political opponents are sick, you don’t have to listen to anything they say’
Camas resident Tony Teso argues Ken Vance’s column reframes political disagreement as mental illness to avoid engaging on substance. - Opinion: Greg Johnson’s $2 million contract delivered a huge mess
Johnson’s $1.9M pay coincided with IBR costs tripling and construction timeline doubling to 20 years. - POLL: What issue should be the top priority for Southwest Washington’s next member of Congress?
Sen. John Braun criticized WA’s new income tax while outlining his congressional priorities in Vancouver. - Opinion: The Democrats’ disproportionate response to Trump
Ken Vance argues Democratic hostility toward Trump has crossed from politics into dangerous derangement. - Letter: Vancouver should lead on PFAS-free camping gear
Peter Bracchi links years of camping debris near Men’s Share House to PFAS groundwater contamination risk.
