Listen to Dori Monson weekdays on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM
 Dori Monson


2013.01.31_gun_bill.jpg
State Representative Mike Hope is proposing a bill that would require criminals with a record of gun crime to register on a list much like the sex offender registry. (MyNorthwest.com/File)

Proposed gun law targets offenders, not responsible gun owners

BY Jillian Raftery  on February 1, 2013 @ 8:41 am

Dori is rarely optimistic about anything coming from Olympia, but one bill being proposed by State Representative Mike Hope is getting Dori excited: a proposed registry for violent offenders involved in gun crimes.

Mike came on The Dori Monson Show to explain a bill he says targets the real criminals, not responsible, law-abiding gun owners.

"The person has already had to have committed a violent felony with a firearm. And that's the type of person we'll be going after," said Mike.

Mike says the law requires these felons to register on a list much like the sex offender registry. If the person fails to register or fails to update their address, police officers can arrest them. That would give them probable cause to search the offender's residence and find any illegal guns they might have.

Similar programs have already been implemented in Baltimore, Washington, DC, and New York City. But this law would be the first state-wide program of its kind.

"What we're seeing with Baltimore is that there was a common denominator that, when you look at their numbers, sticks out," said Mike. "Ninety-six percent of all of the homicide suspects that have used a firearm had a prior firearm gun offense."

Mike cites statistics from New York and Baltimore that back up the effectiveness of the law in bringing down the murder rate. In 2007, a year after New York passed tougher laws on illegal guns, the murder rate went down 17 percent.

Representative Hope isn't just thinking from a policy-standpoint, but from a practical standpoint; Mike spends his time away from Olympia serving with the Seattle Police Department.

The registry, Mike says, will save officers time tracking down suspects when investigating violent crimes involving guns. The registry may even help increase officer safety, since an offender's status will pop up when officers look up a driver's license during traffic stops. The information could also be tied to a mapping database that officers can use when called to a residence.

And Mike is optimistic that the law will have an impact on the right demographic: irresponsible or illegal gun owners and gang members. He says the registry should also act as a strong deterrent to keep individuals on the list from re-offending if the stakes are high enough.

Dori loves the idea, since it targets the people who are getting guns illegally and are actually committing crimes - not responsible gun owners that are concerned with personal safety.

"Forget about these laws that criminalize everybody who is law abiding - or not," said Dori. "But a gun registry or database of people who have committed gun crimes? Why not? They violate the law, they lose their right."

Jillian Raftery, Social Media Captain
Jillian Raftery is a social media captain for the Dori Monson Show. She loves the neighborly vibe of the Pacific Northwest and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
More Dori Monson

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (15)


  • Add A Comment

  • turp63 wrote...
    Finally
    February 1, 2013 5:49 am
    Some who is actually trying to solve the problem. I like this, it targets the individuals that are committing these acts. Is it foolproof? No, but at least he aiming the legislation at the right people. Now if they can figure out the mental health aspect they'd be cooking with gas...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GTeye wrote...
    It's already illegal, legislation not needed
    February 8, 2013 8:52 am
    .... a felony already makes it illegal to posess a firearm. .... you would already fail a NICS check. We don't need even more legislation....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Good plan and worth the effort.
    February 1, 2013 7:01 am
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    combine it
    February 1, 2013 8:01 am
    with a mandatory sentence upgrade for doing a crime using a firearm. The certainty of doing additional time has worked in Virginia.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    A firearm related conviction
    February 1, 2013 10:42 am
    provides an auto 5 years.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    i like it.
    February 1, 2013 9:19 am
    use a gun in ANY violent crime of ANY kind...NAME ON THE REGISTRY.

    makes sense. more sense than being on the sex offender registry for public urination.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GTeye wrote...
    Except...
    February 8, 2013 8:51 am
    ... you are already barred from legal gun ownership and will fail a NICS check if you commited a felony...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Saltchucker wrote...
    I like it too.......
    February 1, 2013 12:10 pm
    .....but it might make a much shorter list if we track down the citizens who have never broken ANY law! Dori would be on the speeding list, I have proudly ripped the tags off every mattress I've ever owned.....yep, a law abiders list would be very short indeed!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    don't criminalize everybody
    February 1, 2013 1:46 pm
    All need to be in registry.All need background test,and gun saftey test. What's the pro-right, pro-cop saying,offen used when stopped or searched or asked for Id "if your not doing anything criminals do?" why whine
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    But what about the guy
    February 1, 2013 8:44 pm
    who was innocent, but still convicted?

    That poor individual has no chance in the real world... ;-)

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Regularjoe44 wrote...
    Nice to see...
    February 3, 2013 8:19 am
    A common sense idea. I don't know a lot about this bill, but it sounds like a great start. A bill with some thought behind it that allows for expanded action against dirt bags .... vs a bill that is generated by emotion and further deteriorates the rights of the law abiding citizen. This is exactly the type of leadership and ideas I expect out of our elected servants. This is exactly the kind of idea that should catch fire across the country and get a lot of conversation. Unfortunately it's not as juicy and controversial as banning the big scary gun, so the Dave, Luke and Linda's of the media across the country probably won't give it much attention. Maybe if the ACLU would pitch a fit....and they will...it would be more news worthy. Nice start Mike Hope...keep it up.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jhosford4 wrote...
    sounds great....but
    February 4, 2013 7:20 am
    So this sounds like a great idea that i'm all for. I'm just curious if anyone knows what this does that wasn't already in place? Isn't that why you have to have a background check, to check your legal status??? Anyone know???
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GTeye wrote...
    It does nothing
    February 8, 2013 8:49 am
    Good question... It does nothing... A felony already bars you from legal firearm ownership and you will fail a NICS check because of it. It's just fluff to "compromise" with the statists in Olympia.. something that never ends well because their agenda and motives are never what they tell you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lady Vader wrote...
    A pro-active idea...imagine that.
    February 4, 2013 1:40 pm
    It's a good start...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }