Under current Washington state law, unlawful possession of a firearm is not considered a violent crime. This means that criminals who possess firearms illegally often face lighter sentences, allowing them to continue posing a threat to public safety. Senate Bill 5268 seeks to change this by amending the Revised Code of Washington to include unlawful possession of a firearm in the first and second degree in the list of violent offenses.
30-Second-Action: Sign in PRO
The bill makes this change by amending RCW 9.94A.030 (the definitions section) in two places:
It adds unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree to the list of offenses considered violent offenses.
It specifies that this change expires on January 1, 2026, and that the previous definition of violent offense (which does not include unlawful firearm possession) will take effect again on that date.
One of the key aspects of Senate Bill 5268 is that it targets unlawful possession specifically, not lawful gun ownership or Second Amendment rights. By supporting this bill, we can take a firm stance against unlawful firearm possession while still defending the constitutional right to bear arms for law-abiding citizens.
Classifying unlawful possession as a violent offense could lead to longer sentences for those convicted, which could potentially reduce crime rates. This is a common-sense measure that addresses the issue of violence with unlawful possession of firearms directly and demonstrates our commitment to public safety and the rule of law.
Just take a look at the citywide shootings and shots fired data from the City of Seattle over the last 12 years, especially the last 4. Shootings have nearly tripled since 2012.
Please take 30 seconds to sign in PRO for this common sense bill.
Testify in person, via zoom or in writing: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?selectedCommittee=17548&selectedMeeting=32529
We rely on your generous donations and subscriptions to continue our mission. Your support enables us to advocate for conservative values, provide insightful content, and mobilize grassroots efforts across the country. Subscribe or donate today! Thank you!
Share this post