Central Firearms Offender Registry Legislation Passed 4/17 Update now a Database

[bigtex]

House Bill 1612 will create the “central registry of firearm offenders”. The bill has bipartisan support, and actually has more republican sponsors then democrats. What the bill essentially does is adopt many of the same registry requirements that are currently in place with sex offenders, such as when you move you must register with the sheriff’s office.

A “firearm offender” is a person who has previously been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in this state of any firearm offense. A person is not a firearm offender under this chapter if any and all qualifying offenses have been the subject of an expungement, pardon, annulment, certificate, or rehabilitation, or other equivalent procedure based on a finding of the rehabilitation of the person convicted or a pardon, annulment, or other equivalent procedure based on a finding of innocence.

"Firearm offense" means:
(a) Any felony offense that is a violation of chapter 9.41 RCW; firearm laws
(b) A violation of RCW 9A.36.045; Drive by shooting
(c) A violation of RCW 9A.56.300; Theft of firearm
(d) A violation of RCW 9A.56.310; Possessing a stolen firearm
(e) A violation of RCW 77.15.460; Loaded firearm in a vehicle (including hunting)
(f) Any felony offense if the offender was armed with a firearm in the commission of the offense.

It is up to the judge to decide whether or not an individual is required to register. The following are the "guidelines" in determining whether to require the person to register, the court shall consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to:
(a) The person's criminal history;
(b) Whether the person has previously been found not guilty by reason of insanity of any offense in this state or elsewhere; and
(c) Evidence of the person's propensity for violence that would likely endanger persons.

Bill sponsors are

Republicans: Hope, Hargrove, Orcutt, Kretz, Hayes, Buys, Dalhquist, Holy, O’Ban, Fagan, Magendanz, Smith, Klippert, Warnick

Democrats: Pederson, Goodman, Roberts, Moscoso, Ryu, Bergquist

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2013&bill=1612

[whacker1]

wow item (e) will put a lot of folks on that registry

[bigtex]

wow item (e) will put a lot of folks on that registry

That is a possibility. Especially since now all misdemeanors are now required to go before a judge. Prior to Summer 2012 that offense was a $271 ticket.

[whacker1]

wow item (e) will put a lot of folks on that registry

That is a possibility. Especially since now all misdemeanors are now required to go before a judge. Prior to Summer 2012 that offense was a $271 ticket.

Yeah, that is what I was thinking.  I know that was a common ticket that just got paid by many folks, very few that would contest it due to the circumstances.

[Mudman]

Like part of the idea.  Thought there was already a means for leo to check a persons status.  Bill goes to far for my likes, sex offender leg.?  Too far!

[csaaphill]

probably should be faught against although most sponsors are republicans. however i see the good intentions on this bill still wondering if it's too far reaching.

[bigtex]

I assume most people will have issues with the bill because of RCW 77.15.460 - loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, especially since it is a pretty common hunting violation. However as the bill is written it is up to the court to decide if the offender will need to register on this registry. It is not the same as sex crimes where a conviction means automatic registry requirement.

[Mudman]

Cannot support this labeling registry/sex offender type leg.  Cant leos already find this info readily?  Arent background checks incorporated with this info?  I say H-- no to this.  Its redundant and a waste of $.  Too much power for judges, what if its a liberal judge?

[JimmyHoffa]

I assume most people will have issues with the bill because of RCW 77.15.460 - loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, especially since it is a pretty common hunting violation.

Mostly because that RCW can so easily be actual honest mistakes.  The others on that list show (imo) some intent to break laws. 

[Mudman]

Nobody has answered my question?  Leos, dont you have this info at your fingertips already?  Isnt it included in background checks?  If yes then what does this leg. acoomplish? 

[csaaphill]

Nobody has answered my question?  Leos, dont you have this info at your fingertips already?  Isnt it included in background checks?  If yes then what does this leg. acoomplish?

sorry ya i think so but again just my owm thought or opinion on that. Maybe it's just if you have warrents i think.

[lokidog]

Part of the problem may be that it leaves it up to the subjectivity of our, often, wacko liberal judges that seem to have their own agendas.

Get rid of the loaded firearm one and maybe.  ** By saying this, I do not condone road hunting with a loaded firearm in the vehicle. **

[buckfvr]

There are already exceptions to the "including hunting" part of this that would have to be spelled out....we can carry a loaded hand gun, and it should be reflected in the wording as it is in the game law violation section of the game laws.

[ICEMAN]

I gotta disagree with this one.

What is the purpose? It is written to only to be viewed by Law Enforcement (for now)....

It is also written so that those on the registry only need to maintain their address with their local LEO, for a short period of time (four years). The requirement to register will expire after four years they originally register. Then it will expire and the record will be removed/destroyed. So answer me this; What is the purpose of this legislation, if not to harass someone who has this type of conviction? IF it is a good idea for four years, is it not a great idea for more?

My tin hat has pursuaded me to think that they will remove the four year expiration later, will make the registry public record like many of the sexual offender sites are, and that this is a perfect record of anyone with a misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor hunting type conviction to use when gun confiscation laws go into affect later.

[csaaphill]

yep js hunt should post a copy and paste list on this