Editor,

This letter is not about the contents of Initiative 594, but about tactics used by supporters of this bill.

Contents — never discuss what is actually in the initiative, only talk about the good intentions of the supporters.

Fear — blood will run in the streets, psychos will buy guns en mass, etc. You won’t be safe anywhere.

Ignorant or apathetic voters — play to this group, depend on them not to look up or understand the real issues.

Emotion — use No. 2 to influence No. 3, i.e., use emotional rhetoric to override reason.

Half truths — “This initiative only ‘sort of’ creates a gun registry, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

Out-and-out lies — “This will make everybody, especially our little school children, safer. It’s all about common sense, not gun control. It will close the (non-existent) gun show loophole.”

Change the subject — when somebody asks a direct question, change the subject and filibuster, don’t shut up or listen.

Unfortunately, these tactics have worked too well for them in the past and will probably work in the future.

There are at least four items missing from the initiative:

First, how is it going to be enforced? With police and sheriff departments underfunded and understaffed to the point where they have difficulty responding to real crime effectively.

Second, who will pay law enforcement?

Third, who will pay for the inevitable lawsuits?

Fourth, how will this make everyone safer from gun violence? All recent legitimate studies show more guns mean less crime. Gun ownership is at an all-time high, violent crime is at a 40-plus year low, so restricting legitimate gun owners seems counter productive.

Also, how can a few self-important billionaires possibly know where, when and how I need to defend myself? Did they ask their armed bodyguards?

Since criminals ignore — and law enforcement doesn’t prosecute — the current laws, why pass another unenforceable law that will be ignored, or that could be used selectively?

I hope the voters wade through the rhetoric and hand-wringing and take the time to understand the initiative before they mark their ballots.

Good intentions, emotional issues or power grabs never make good and effective legislation.

Rick Kiser
Oak Harbor