Wash. lawmaker pushing for statewide gun-crimes registry
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OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A state lawmaker is pushing for a new gun-crimes registry to clamp down on crime.
With bipartisan support, Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens, on Thursday introduced a bill that seeks to reduce gun violence by creating a statewide database. Much like the sex offender registry, those convicted of crimes involving guns would have to register on the criminal gun database.
But the owner of a Tacoma gun store has his doubts.
"I think it's a bad idea," said Kris Kindschuh, who says the most dangerous convicted criminals are monitored already. The gun shop owner says adding more laws won't make them comply.
"If you're committing a crime with a firearm, you should lose your gun rights for your lifetime, not four years," said Kindschuh. "You should already be registered with the officials."
Hope says under his bill, judges can require criminals to register twice a year for four years into the statewide database.
"That's a huge deterrent, and that's why we do it with sex offenders, too," he said.
Police will be able to quickly identify gun offenders and keep tabs on them after they are released back into the community.
"It gives law enforcement another tool, essentially, and I think that's what's going to help reduce gun violence," said Hope.
Hope is working to get a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in the upcoming weeks.
With bipartisan support, Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens, on Thursday introduced a bill that seeks to reduce gun violence by creating a statewide database. Much like the sex offender registry, those convicted of crimes involving guns would have to register on the criminal gun database.
But the owner of a Tacoma gun store has his doubts.
"I think it's a bad idea," said Kris Kindschuh, who says the most dangerous convicted criminals are monitored already. The gun shop owner says adding more laws won't make them comply.
"If you're committing a crime with a firearm, you should lose your gun rights for your lifetime, not four years," said Kindschuh. "You should already be registered with the officials."
Hope says under his bill, judges can require criminals to register twice a year for four years into the statewide database.
"That's a huge deterrent, and that's why we do it with sex offenders, too," he said.
Police will be able to quickly identify gun offenders and keep tabs on them after they are released back into the community.
"It gives law enforcement another tool, essentially, and I think that's what's going to help reduce gun violence," said Hope.
Hope is working to get a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in the upcoming weeks.
Do not like we have laws on books about gun ownership just need them to be enforced,what is next can not sell cars to persons who have DUI"S on record ?
This would likely lead to more effort to cite and convict gun crimes that did not include a crime against a person, like shooting a road sign. I bet hunting violations would be listed as gun crimes. Would speeding will in possession of a gun be included?
It's amazing how the two words "GUN CRIMES" were totally missed. Law abiding gun owners would not be listed. ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME WITH A GUN!!!!! WHAT IS YOUR READING LEVEL??!!
so gun owners are now being treated like sex offenders ?
Let's classify all crimes and keep registries of each classification. Then we can tatoo numbers on your arm!
Washington already has a state crimes database, and participates in the federal crimes database. The solution is not to make more laws, but to insist that lawmakers and law enforcers actually use the existing laws and tools to do their jobs.
THIS IS B.S.just a foot in the door.stupid
this b
This is actually an ignorant proposal, criminals don't follow laws (hence why we call them criminals) and will work about as well as the sex offender registry which has done very little to protect the public from repeat sex offenders.
'Bout time!
Good point.
This makes sense on some levels so you know the NRA folks will hate it. Just wrap yourself up in the Second Amendment and pretend there is no problem. I for one refuse to go through life anymore screaming lalalalalalalalalalalalala at the top of my lungs and hoping I will be okay.
Not gonna help. Focus on mental health help.
I can't believe I actually agree with the gun shop owner. If you commit a crime with a gun you should lose your rights to own a gun forever! I also think making them register on top of that is reasonable.
How about a DUI registry, driving without insurance registry, assault registry, you get the idea. Once it starts where will it end.
I think it might be a good idea. Although I also think if they just enforced the laws they already have would be better. Why not just cut their trigger finger off?
How bout a domestic violence registry?