http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/news...ICLE_ID=1037948

WA Democrats See Political Danger In Gun Control Measures

By Austin Jenkins

OLYMPIA, WA 2007-02-08 Seattle's Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske wants lawmakers in Olympia to pass three gun control bills this year.

Topping the list is a proposal to close the so-called gun-show loophole, which allows private gun sales without background checks.

But majority Democrats appear gun-shy when it comes to gun control. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins explains why.

It's hard to say no to a man with a badge and a gun. But Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske may have met his match -- the Washington State legislature.

Recently the chief met with Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, a Seattle Democrat, to talk about gun control.

Afterwards, the ever-diplomatic chief offered this description of the closed-door meeting.

Gil Kerlikowske: "A very warm reception, it was an exchange of information and an exchange of points of view. Specifically on the gunshow loophole issue."

Clearly the chief met a skeptical Speaker of the House. But he was prepared for that.

Gil Kerlikowske: "Well, I would tell you that it doesn't matter whether it's at the national level or in any statehouse in this country, dealing with guns and common-sense gun laws is the third rail quite often. But I'll tell you quite frankly I don't think it is the voltage it was just a few years ago."

Even so, Democrats are still wary of being labeled anti-gun and incurring the wrath of powerful groups like the National Rifle Association.

Senator Rodney Tom is a Republican turned Democrat from suburban Seattle. He's sponsoring the so-called gunshow loophole bill in the Senate.

It would require a background check for all gun buyers at gun shows. But Tom knows with one-party rule in Olympia - Democrats need to tread carefully.

Rodney Tom: "The Republicans are hoping that oh they're going to act like your stereotypical crazy Democrat and go off the edge. And I think people - especially leadership - is very focused on making sure that we stay with the basics as far as education, transportation and healthcare and the issues that people really care about."

Not only that, but gun control tends to split Democrats along an urban-rural divide.

Take House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler for example. She represents much of the Olympic Peninsula.

If you go to her office you'll see shooting trophies and a framed picture of an Annie Oakley-style Kessler in a dress, hunting vest and sunglasses - taking aim with a shotgun.

Lynn Kessler: "That was in '94 and I had not been trap-shooting for probably twenty years and I went out and won first place in my division."

Kessler says Washington Democrats have been picking up seats in more rural areas. But know if they take on divisive issues like guns, it could be lethal at the polls.

Lynn Kessler: "Most members who represent these areas don't really want to take this one issue and risk losing an election when there are so many other issues that are so much important to us. So a lot of us just don't think it's worth the risk."

But Seattle Police Chief Kerlikowske isn't giving up. He notes the legislative session is still young and says he'll continue his lobbying effort.

Not just to require background checks at gun shows. But also for legislation that would hold adults responsible when children get their hands on loaded guns. And for a ban on assault weapons - although that bill has yet to be introduced.

To help make his case, Kerlikowske carries with him eight-by-ten photographs of a gun seized in connection with the first shooting of the year in Seattle.

Gil Kerlikowske: "This is a SKS7.62 weapon, high-capacity magazine, which is associated with an assault weapon, it has the bayonet holder on the front which is associated with an assault weapon."

Kerlikowske says the bullets from a gun like that can pierce a police officer's Kevlar vest. It's happened in other communities with deadly results and he doesn't want it to happen in Seattle.