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

[bigtex]

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?

According to Rep Hope who is a current Law Enforcement Officer and the prime sponsor, it is essentially so that if an officer contacts the individual he automatically knows the individual is a "firearm offender" so basically be aware.

[bigtex]

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?

Yes and no.
If an officer pulls you over (or however the contact happens) and runs you, the most that will come up is if their license is valid, any wants/warrants, and depending on the agency if they are a convicted felon. That is it, no history, etc.

An officer would have to run a criminal history report for them to find out what violations you have been convicted of. And they can't be like "hey let's check it out", there has to be a reason.

99% of the time it is just a wants/warrants check.

[csaaphill]

sounds not good to me but what ever still seems a bit far reaching.

[bigtex]

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.

This really has nothing to do with game laws and hunting, but rather the act of having a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.

A hunter hunting in Cle Elum with a loaded rifle in his vehicle is charged under RCW 77.15.460
A gangbanger driving in downtown Seattle with a loaded rifle in his vehicle is charged under RCW 77.15.460

RCW 77.15.460 is not simply for hunting.

[Crunchy]

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?

Yes and no.
If an officer pulls you over (or however the contact happens) and runs you, the most that will come up is if their license is valid, any wants/warrants, and depending on the agency if they are a convicted felon. That is it, no history, etc.

An officer would have to run a criminal history report for them to find out what violations you have been convicted of. And they can't be like "hey let's check it out", there has to be a reason.

99% of the time it is just a wants/warrants check.

Not 100% correct.  Recent felony convictions come up.  There are also several databases that can be accessed that dont necessary give you all convictions but state convictions.

[bigtex]

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?

Yes and no.
If an officer pulls you over (or however the contact happens) and runs you, the most that will come up is if their license is valid, any wants/warrants, and depending on the agency if they are a convicted felon. That is it, no history, etc.

An officer would have to run a criminal history report for them to find out what violations you have been convicted of. And they can't be like "hey let's check it out", there has to be a reason.

99% of the time it is just a wants/warrants check.

Not 100% correct.  Recent felony convictions come up.  There are also several databases that can be accessed that dont necessary give you all convictions but state convictions.

I said depending on the dispatch agency they will inform the officer if they have a felony conviction. I know of at least one dispatch agency that does not inform officers if the individual is a convicted felon. However, WSP for example will inform the LEOs they dispatch if the individual is a convicted felon.

[Crunchy]

I thought we all had fany computers in our cars these days??

[bigtex]

I thought we all had fany computers in our cars these days??

The agencies with money 
A lot of the smaller agencies still don't have them.

I actually remember a few years ago when King Couny SO just got computers, a year or so later budget cuts came and they were talking about getting rid of the computers they just got 

[Crunchy]

So not true Tex.  KCSO has had them since 96-97.  Although in the last year or two finally went to automated dispatching.

[bigtex]

So not true Tex.  KCSO has had them since 96-97.  Although in the last year or two finally went to automated dispatching.

Was it toughbooks then? This was around 07/08, I had some KCSO detectives telling me they were possibly on the way out even though they just got them.

[JLS]

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?

Usually it's the liberal judges that will give the best outcome for the defendants.

[lokidog]

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?

Usually it's the liberal judges that will give the best outcome for the defendants.

Unless they happen to be a member of peta....   

[Turner89]

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?

According to Rep Hope who is a current Law Enforcement Officer and the prime sponsor, it is essentially so that if an officer contacts the individual he automatically knows the individual is a "firearm offender" so basically be aware.

I can see a alot of guys getting on the list with the loaded gun/vehicle charge. I have forgot myself when getting back to the truck at dark, and bone tired. Besides that part I don't mind it. I do think they should make it longer than 4yrs. Nut jobs can go dormant for awhile, and then flip

[Special T]

The Road to hell is paved with good intentions..... I could see lots of unintended consequences  from this. 

[scotty1969]

The Road to hell is paved with good intentions..... I could see lots of unintended consequences  from this. 

couldn't agree more with you here,these people are helping take more guns from more people for BS reasons,when will it stop? JAYWALKING and i also agree that this same as sex offender leg is just as bad if not worse than when they tried putting online poker players on the same level as rapist and pedophiles