The following was originally published by The Center Square.
(The Center Square) – Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would reduce penalties for drive-by shootings with the goal of “promoting racial equity in the criminal legal system.”
The proposed legislation would eliminate drive-by shootings as the basis for elevating a first-degree murder charge to aggravated murder in the first degree, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
House Bill 1692 was filed on Dec. 23 by Representatives Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, and David Hackney, D-Tukwila, ahead of the state’s 2022 60-day legislative session that begins Jan. 10.
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Click for more informationNeither lawmaker responded to The Center Square’s requests for comment.
Simmons’ office released a statement to KTTH arguing that first degree murder “is a heinous crime which already carries a long and serious sentence.” But, she added, “it’s clear that [this aggravated classification] was targeted at gangs that were predominately young and Black.” That, she argues is an example of “systemic racism.”
Drive-by shootings were added as an aggravating factor in 1995, at a time when Washington state was experiencing a surge in gang-related crime, according to a 1997 annual report put out by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).
Per the report, there were three gang-related homicides in Washington state in 1991, followed by 17 in 1992, 31 in 1993, 26 in 1994, and 13 in 1995.
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Click for more informationSome GOP lawmakers took exception to the pre-filed legislation at a time of increased violent crime and the “defund the police” movement that has in some cases sapped law enforcement of resources and morale.
“Violent crime is on the rise in our communities, in part, because law enforcement officers do not believe under new laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year that they have the authority to detain or pursue individuals, for whom they reasonably suspect have committed criminal acts,” said Rep. Gina Mosbrucker (R-Goldendale), ranking Republican on the House Public Safety Committee, in a press release. “It was reported during the summer that at least nine drive-by shootings in the Yakima area this year have left a trail of injuries, deaths and traumatized neighborhoods. This horrific crime is happening more and more across our state, taking the lives of innocent victims, destroying families, and leaving neighborhoods and communities in fear.”
Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a dozen police reform bills into law, including House Bill 1310, which seeks to reduce violent interactions with mentally ill people, and House Bill 1054, which limits the use of tear gas, bans the use of chokeholds and neck restraints, and restricts vehicle pursuits to police officers having probable cause.
Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, House Republican floor leader and a former law enforcement officer, echoed those comments.
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Click for more information“The Defund the Police movement pushed by progressives in this state brought forth a package of law enforcement ‘reform’ bills during the 2021 legislative session that, in the end, have made families and communities less safe, law enforcement less effective, and criminals were emboldened,” she said in a press release. “With numerous editorials, columns, newspapers articles, radio and television stories highlighting these dangerous bills, you’d think the Legislature had learned its lesson. But here we are again, at the cusp of adopting new policies to coddle criminals at the expense of our safety.”
Maycumber noted the recent spike in violent crime makes the timing of this legislation all the more baffling.
“Washington state is already seeing a surge in violent crime which is currently at a 25-year high, with murders at an all-time high in 2020, up 80 percent from five years ago,” she said. “Rape is up 40 percent from five years ago and aggravated assaults are up 50 percent from five years ago. In light of this, why are some elected officials so intent on making it easier to be a violent criminal and releasing murderers back onto our streets?
“House Bill 1692 is a tragedy in the making as our children and families will be less safe in their own homes and even their own beds. This bill will allow those who have committed murder when engaged in drive-by shootings to get out of jail sooner.”
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Click for more informationA more recent WASPC report shows murder and manslaughter rates in Washington state were up in 2020.
There were 302 murders in 2020 compared to 206 murders in 2019, which is an increase of 46.6%, according to the report. Manslaughter was up 100%, with 34 incidents in 2020 compared to 17 in 2019.
HB 1692 would retroactively apply to anyone who was convicted of aggravated murder in the first degree if a drive-by shooting was the sole aggravating factor.
If crime and shootings are on the rise, common sense would dictate a more harsh penalty.
I heard recently that a tactic of clandestine communists is to make the living conditions so terrible we will embrace a new form of government (communism). Nothing else makes sense, so I have to assume this is what they are doing in our government right now by releasing violent criminals into the public and reducing penalties. This is complete madness unless your trying to overthrow a democracy.
Your color doesn’t matter. You do the crime, you do the time.
Murder should be life without parole or death penalty. More police with less restrictions.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” – MLK. Firing a weapon from a moving car says a lot about ones Character and nothing about skin color.
Oh boy, this proposed legislation is second amendment hypocrisy at it’s finest! First cause sever infringements by initiative, then reduce or fail to enforce laws (plea bargaining) that hold violent firearms offenders accountable for their actions. Drive by shootings seem to be one of the WORST possible offenses as it is at least attempted mass murder or at least manslaughter. BTW when is the term manslaughter going to be changed to personslaughter by our woke legislators?
You have got to be frigging kidding me!!
Are these lawmakers insane ???? Yah sure: reduce the penalty, increase the incidents of those crimes. Who dresses these people each morning ?????? Who are they representing ?? not the law-abiding taxpayers !
Strap. You’re on your own.
Relax the penalties for Drive by shootings and eventually they will anailate each other.
Why am I getting some reverse racism vibes from these legislators? So you want to take Joe the farmer and his rancher friends 2A rights away,While letting some criminal thug get a slap on the wrist for blowing people away in a moving vehicle because of their skin color?? How did you ever get elected to office?
Both legislators are new to politics.One has roots from Cleveland Ohio.Freshly elected black legislator.The other did a stint in prison for theft and drug crimes.Both have only been in office since 2020.Thats who is running the clown show in Olympia.They aren’t trying to do good by Washingtonians.The voters should have a say.All you have to do is look at the mentality, to see that Olympia needs a housecleaning.
This is absolutely insane! The entire government system needs to be dismissed and we THE PEOPLE need to start over. Washington state (where i was born) has become a state full of criminals, drug addicts and law makers that support them and every single one is an entitled little snowflake. Ludicrous!
It’s the only way to artificially lower the sky rocketing crime rates…