Committee hears testimony on requiring one year of community custody for unlawful firearm possession

The House Committee on Community Safety held a public hearing March 24 on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 52 68, which would require courts to impose one year of community custody for people convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm regardless of whether they are criminal street gang members or associates.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Keith Wagoner, 39th Legislative District of Sedro‑Woolley, told the committee the measure is intended to “bridge that link between a felon who should not have or somebody who should not have a firearm in a future crime where we lose an officer or civilian or somebody gets hurt or killed with a firearm.” He said the bill stops short of reclassifying the offense as a violent crime but “has good utility and will help make our communities safer.”

Corey Patton, staff to the committee, summarized the bill for…