The Washington State House Judiciary Committee cast its votes today to strip Washington gun owners of the right to a trial by jury. Since at least 1959, Washington citizens have had the right to a jury trial with a standard of “clear, cogent, and convincing evidence” before losing their right to bear arms due to being involuntarily committed for an alleged mental health illness.

House Bill 3095, sponsored by Committee Chairwoman Rep. Pat Lantz (D-26), effectively removes these protections by stripping citizens of their right to bear arms, perhaps permanently, after being involuntarily committed for a mere 14 days. In these “probable cause” hearings there is no jury, no elected judge, and the standard of guilt is a mere preponderance of the evidence.

And yet again, there's nothing from our leaders.

I guess after selling us on what a great deal we're getting by enabling more mental health records to be entered into NICS they're...sorry, I just can't come up with a convincing defensive cover for them. Perhaps one of you can? Besides accusing also-ran CCRKBA of jumping to unfounded conclusions like GOA as a way to divert money from the only really effective gun lobby group...? [/sarcasm]