Wash. city mulls becoming ‘sanctuary city’ to protect gun rights

REPUBLIC, Wash. (AP) – A Washington city is considering becoming a “sanctuary city” to shield itself from gun laws after its police chief said he won’t allow his department to enforce the regulations passed by voters under Initiative 1639, saying the new gun laws violate the Second Amendment.

Initiative 1639 raises the age limit to buy some weapons from 18 to 21 and requires enhanced background checks for people who buy those weapons. It also requires guns to be safely stored at home.

Republic Police Chief Loren Culp said he’s instructing police officers in the northeast Washington city to not enforce I-1639 when it becomes law on Jan. 1.

The Republic City Council now is mulling legislation to shield itself from state and national laws that limit Second Amendment gun rights, including I-1639.