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King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg is trying to change a state law that lets juveniles get convicted five times for illegally possessing a gun before they face any real consequences. (AP image)

Lack of penalties encouraging young criminals to keep using guns

BY Josh Kerns  on January 29, 2013 @ 10:58 am (Updated: 12:07 pm - 1/29/13 )

When a young person uses a gun illegally, you'd figure the system would crack down hard to nip the problem in the bud. You'd be wrong. Currently, it takes five convictions before a juvenile caught illegally possessing a gun gets put into longer-term juvenile detention.

But King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg is trying to change that. After failing twice before to convince state lawmakers to stiffen penalties, he's again proposed a new measure with State Sen. Adam Kline and State Rep. Chris Hurst, along with an unprecedented alliance between gun control and gun rights advocates.

Under current laws, a kid caught illegally possessing a gun the first four times can get up to 30 days in a local juvenile facility, but Satterberg tells The David Boze Show they usually do much less or no time and usually just get a slap on the wrist.

"They can get some probation or they can pick up some trash for a couple of hours or write a book report. That's about it."

Only after a fifth conviction for illegal possession of a gun do they get sent to the Department of Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration for a 15-week sentence.

It's one of the reasons gangs recruit and leverage young people to carry their guns, because they know they won't face any serious consequences, Satterberg says.

"That just seems ridiculous to me. People are pretty surprised to find out," he says.

That would change under the new law. Satterberg's proposal, SB5376 and HB 1096, calls for a mandatory 10-day sentence on the first conviction, and a 15-week sentence at the JRA for the second.

"Our present law does kids absolutely no favors at all by being lenient, because what happens somewhere between that first conviction and that fifth one, they usually pull that gun out of their pocket and shoot somebody."

Satterberg says the 15-week sentence is about more than just having kids "cool their heels." He's also advocating a new juvenile gun curriculum that counters many of the myths about guns young people see in video games and media, and warns them of the consequences.

While lawmakers have defeated similar proposals over budget concerns, Satterberg calls that short sighted, arguing it'll cost a lot more later on if a kid turns into an adult offender.

"We're going to pay all of that money to lock one kid up for 30 years after they've killed somebody."

Boze agrees. "If the programs you're talking about would actually work and divert even 20 percent of these kids [it seems] that your savings overall would be fairly swift over the period of a few years."

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (56)


  • Add A Comment

  • Cbrew wrote...
    Lets see how long it takes Calapete and Messiah101....
    January 29, 2013 11:35 am
    to come in here blathering about how their gun ban would take all the guns away from these kids and criminals just wouldn't be able to find them... Just like how our drug laws have kept kids safe from drugs and they're impossible to find on the street.... Come on guys... dazzle us with your brilliant ideas... we're all waiting to hear your amazing commentary on how prohibiting items means we will never have to worry about them again.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Cbrew
    January 29, 2013 4:05 pm
    Brilliant & I agree with you 100%!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TimeForNewLeadership wrote...
    Your thinking is retarded
    January 30, 2013 12:29 am
    How many automatic weapons are used in crimes compared to semi automatic? Hardly any. Why? Because they are illegal and you get slammed hard if you have one. Its a simple concept that gun nuts like you just don't want to accept. Is there a perfect solution? No. But that is a poor reason not to take any action.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    TimeForNewLeadership
    February 3, 2013 3:30 pm
    Calapete, Messed up one, ch or even Seatlle Dbag. Just some left wing moron.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsshirling wrote...
    if it's a cost thing
    January 29, 2013 11:43 am
    In Virginia, they added an automatic 5 year add on to a sentence if a gun was used in committing a crime and gun crime went down 60%. Even if you got parole for the actual crime, you would still get the 5 years for using a gun.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    you forgot about me Cbrew
    January 29, 2013 11:55 am
    we will give you the keys to the prisons, you can open the doors. Why have laws right Cbrew? If you want my commentary you have to buy my book.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    CH - Better question for you, Why have a constitution?
    January 29, 2013 12:22 pm
    Since you seem so intent on crapping on it? Good common sense laws keep our society free and should only be made with the understanding that you're protecting citizens rights and upholding the constitution in this country. Laws crippling the constitution do nothing to help this society, people like you and those i mentioned have a problem with freedom, you fear freedom, You believe that the Government should take our freedoms away because you're afraid that some will abuse those freedoms... well laws in place or not, bad people will do bad things... No laws would have stopped the colorado theater shootings... no laws would have stopped the killings at that school...the only thing that would have stopped those maniacs, were people, people who knew these psycho's that didn't want to get involved... People are at fault, but you and people like you think it's easier to blame guns... things that don't have a choice in how they are used, than it is to admit failings in our society and blame people.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Obiously you want no laws ch
    February 3, 2013 3:35 pm
    You have to know how to read to write a book. Did you write this "Book" on a roll of toilet paper?
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  • ratrustle wrote...
    And this is a good place to start...
    January 29, 2013 12:23 pm
    Stiffer penalties on ANY crime committed with a firearm and MUCH stiffer penalties for young criminals. It appears that 5 strikes may not be working?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Interesting tidbit I found in the news.......
    January 29, 2013 12:36 pm
    It appears that we should maybe join the current hysteria, and suggest that the evidence shows that all Registered Democrats should have their guns confiscated! We know who they are...they're Registered! Why is it that none of the disturbed and evil men, who steal guns then go and kill movie-goers and children in school, has ever been identified as a Conservative NRA Member? ~ Ft Hood: Registered Democrat; Muslim. ~ Columbine: Too young to Vote; Both Shooters families were Registered Democrats and Progressive Liberals. ~ Virginia Tech: Wrote hate-mail to President Bush and his staff; Registered Democrat. ~ Aurora, Colorado: Registered Democrat; Staff worker on the Obama campaign; Occupy Wall Street participant; Progressive Liberal. ~ Newtown, Connecticut: Registered Democrat; Hated Christian Niedermaier.
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  • R L M 456 wrote...
    mnpat
    January 29, 2013 1:12 pm
    well presented

    Thank you

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  • shark75 wrote...
    End social programs / Build prisons with the savings
    January 29, 2013 12:39 pm
    No more excuses. You commit the crime, you are locked up. Juveniles should be locked up until they are 21 if they are convicted of a gun crime. If they've been convicted of a gun crime then there probably isnt much hope for them anyway and I couldnt care less what prison does to them. They break the law again, lock them up again for a good long time. I have a feeling that with all the money we save we will be able to afford lots of prisons, and it's fine with me if 80% of its residents are in there becuase they supposedly didn'y have a daddy in their life. Plenty fine with me...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    And while your at it
    January 29, 2013 4:32 pm
    Make Prisons into prisons again. No more luxuries because its cruel and unusual, do like the Arizona Sheriff, Pink outfits and bologna and cheese sandwiches. No more Top Chefs, TVs in every room spas and what ever.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick
    January 29, 2013 5:31 pm
    Prisons are Prisons,luxuries? You got to be kidding,the ONLY reason that they get TVs or other privileges is because they can be used to control the prisoners.Remember Stupid most prisoners are released back to the streets at a later date.Just being locked up with the creeps you find in prison is punishment.
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  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    This is the fault of liberalism.
    January 29, 2013 1:08 pm
    Mr. Darrell Scott, the father of a victim of the Columbine shootings, did in fact deliver the stirring testimony before Congress that has been widely quoted in forwarded emails. Circulating since 1999. "I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:" Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?" You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need! "Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws." Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    HPD5-0
    January 29, 2013 5:35 pm
    Evidently Mr Scott does not believe in separation of church and state he is certainly entitled to his feelings as well as his opinion. But our Forefathers did NOT see things that way when they shaped our nation 216 years ago. Mr Scott is dead WRONG
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    M101
    January 30, 2013 8:06 am
    Please provide us the passage in the constitution that specifies the separation of church & state.....we'll all be waiting......
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    5-0
    January 30, 2013 8:44 pm
    We have kept God in our churches and that hasn't prevented pedophilia. Your logic doesn't work.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pair o'dimes wrote...
    simple answers for simple minds
    January 29, 2013 1:18 pm
    Take away guns. Improve mental health care. Repeal the second amendment. Eliminate violent video games and entertainment. Comprehensive background checks and registration. Restore respect for human life. Longer prison sentences. Ban military style weapons and high capacity clips. Better parenting. Gun safety taught in public schools. Arm the teachers. More responsible gun owners. Now pick one answer to eliminate the carnage. Can't? Darn, might have to resort to compromise and intelligent debate. We have seen good parents killed by their children. We have seen the mentally ill easily obtain weapons. We have news stories of people accidentally getting shot at gun shows by those who should know better. We have children killing children to prove they exist. If we shouldn't hide behind the first amendment to promote violent entertainment, then maybe we shouldn't use the second amendment as an excuse to prevent reasonable restrictions and background checks. Seems like heavier penalties for gun crimes is a start. Now how about penalties for those who don't secure their weapons?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Splinge wrote...
    Very well put...
    January 29, 2013 4:34 pm
    The love affair we have with murderous villains and heroes on the big screen is like repetitive training and desensitization to gun violence. At the very least, if we're serious, we should be honestly looking at the movies and games our kids watch (and us). I'll be honest, I love a good Arnold or Sly movie, and a good round of Call of Duty, but the truth hurts sometimes... However I believe if we enforced the laws we have on the books already, and followed through with the subsequent punishments we'd surprise ourselves at the improvement.
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  • fishnpol wrote...
    Sometimes simple answers are the best!!
    January 29, 2013 3:36 pm
    They talk about gun crime. The truth is there is just too much crime be it gun or otherwise. People need to be held accountable for their actions, not an inanament object. The truth is there are so many federal laws regarding guns and ammo now that the feds. won't even prosecute under federal statutes most of the time, they leave it to the states and state law which in most cases is alot more lenient. Slaps on the wrists for crime is laughable. Slaps on wrists for crimes using a leathal weapon is just disgusting. The left is after a gun grab, if they were really worried about gun crime they'd take steps to get criminals and crazy people off of the sreets and prosecute them with every available law there is, instead of trying to take guns away from law abiding citizens.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    fishnpol
    January 29, 2013 5:42 pm
    The USA locks up MORE people then anywhere on EARTH. Where have you been.If you really want to impact crime we need longer terms for violent criminals,we need better rehab programs while in jailfor those who will be released,we need to do more for people in lower income groups because poverty breeds crime,thats just for starters.Do a crime with a gun 50 years.But remember it will cost millions to keep that guy in jail
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  • maplefish wrote...
    M101
    January 30, 2013 8:10 am
    More brain-dead liberal psyco-babble....just keep throwing more money at the problem??? Obviously the touchy-feely we feel sorry or the people of lower income so the answer s give them more money & lesser jail sentences stupidity of the Left has NOT WORKED for about 40 years....
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    FISH
    January 30, 2013 2:17 pm
    You need to use the money properly be it for people getting welfare or locking up criminals.Face it FISH poverty is a great contributor to crime no matter where you go in the world.Crime rates will always be higher in poverty areas.THe way prisons are currently run is totally unacceptable the prisoner come out a greater threat to society then when they entered (after all jails are Gladiator Academy's)THese guys come out of jail equipped to do NOTHING they got to eat so they go back to crime.I mean with this nations high unemployment rate who is going to hire a ex con?WE need to put MORE $$$ in seeing to it these ex cons stay on the straight and narrow when they get out.We should want them to succeed so we need the tools put in place to ensure they do. Believe me it will be cheaper to society in the long run. Call it coddling if you want I call it SMART
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  • Splinge wrote...
    Why is this a revalation?
    January 29, 2013 4:25 pm
    This is article speaks to the essence of the problem that has become non-ignorable. Guns haven't changed, people have---Why? A pervasive society and minimal boundaries of which to be wary of. That's why it's all our responsibilities. The conservatives for allowing the people on the left via the media to soften punishment for crime, and the leftists for not heeding common sense. The only difference is our friends on the left want to double-down on stupidity and take the tool rather than the one wielding it to the cleaners and punish the law abiding citizens rather than the ones that need punishment. I'll say it again, criminals aren't going to obey a gun ban, so what's your point?
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