In Olympia Gun Bill Includes Fake Quotes from Founding Fathers

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Nyla Fritz, left, listens after testifying as Sgt. Adrian Diaz, of the Seattle Police Dept., speaks during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on proposed gun control measures Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Olympia, Wash. Fritz lost her brother Arnie Fritz, then 14 years old, in a shooting at a Mose Lake, Wash., school in 1996. As the federal government struggles to find ways to curb gun violence, lawmakers in Washington state will began discussions Thursday on a list of gun-control measures that include requiring safe storage of firearms to avoid tragedies like the Marysville high school shooting and prohibiting law enforcement agencies from selling confiscated guns. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The Associated Press

Published: 07 February 2016

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A gun rights bill introduced at the Washington state Capitol includes some quotes falsely attributed to America's Founding Fathers.

The News Tribune reports Republican Rep. Matt Shea of Spokane Valley introduced the measure Friday.

House Bill 2975 would create penalties for public officials who block people from owning or buying guns.

The four-page bill devotes a page to quotes on gun ownership purportedly from the men who created the U.S. Constitution.

Researchers say at least three of the quotes used in the bill and attributed to Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton were not said or written by them.

A staffer speaking on Shea's behalf said on Friday that Shea is "happy to amend the legislation, if necessary, to ensure it includes only accurate information."