Governor signs Rep. Dave Hayes’ bill mandating registration of certain gun-felony convicts
A bill authored by Rep. Dave Hayes requiring people convicted of certain felony gun offenses to register as firearm offenders was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee.
House Bill 2410 expands on legislation signed into law in 2013 that created a central firearm offender registry, but gave judges discretion of whether convicted felony firearm offenders would have to register.
“It was a good law with very good intentions. Unfortunately, judges weren't using it very often. Of the 1,200-plus convicts eligible to be required to register as firearm offenders, the court only applied it to fewer than 100 convictions,” said Hayes, R-Camano Island. “What good does it do to have a law if judges won't apply it?”
The bill would require any person convicted or found “not guilty by reason of insanity” of a felony firearm offense involving sexual motivation, a crime against a child, or a serious violent offense to register as a felony firearm offender.
“It mandates the judges require these firearm offenders to register with the Washington State Patrol. Judges would still have discretion to have offenders register for firearm crimes outside of the specified list of crimes,” said Hayes, who works as sergeant with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
“This legislation will help local law enforcement officers combat gun violence by going after repeat felony firearm offenders who turn guns against another person,” added Hayes, assistant ranking Republican on the House Public Safety Committee.
The measure becomes effective in June.
