County Council adopts motion calling for tougher penalties on juvenile gun crime

September 24, 2012

Summary

Appeal to Legislature to start intervening earlier with juveniles convicted of illegal use or possession of firearms

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today adopted a motion calling on the Washington State Legislature to adopt legislation that intervenes with youth convicted of weapons possession earlier than currently allowed by state law.

Juvenile gun crime continues to be a serious issue in King County—an issue that current state law does not adequately address.

“Getting this law on the books in Olympia is critically important,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, the sponsor of the motion. “This law will do two important things. It will place stricter penalties on dangerous juveniles, but secondly it also gets them the help and counseling they need, potentially deterring these at risk youth from a life of crime.”

Under current state statutes, armed juvenile offenders are eligible for home detention, deferred sentences, community service hours and no more than 30 days of detention for their first four convictions of illegal gun possession. Currently, it takes five convictions for illegal gun possession before a juvenile is placed in a detention facility for an extended period—sending the message that carrying a gun is not a serious matter.

Proposed legislation in Olympia, SB 5313, would change current law to address this issue the first time a juvenile is caught with a gun. At the first conviction, juveniles could be placed in a secure facility for an extended period, giving correction officials the opportunity to provide counseling and educate young people about the dangerous consequences that gun violence can lead to.

The adopted motion supports legislative action on SB5313 or similar legislation.