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Sponsor and law enforcement back classifying unlawful firearm possession as violent offense; defenders oppose
Summary
Senate Bill 5268 would designate unlawful possession of a firearm as a "violent offense," altering sentencing and offender-score calculations; supporters said the designation would increase prosecutions and officer safety, while defenders warned it would broaden violent-offense classifications and drive incarceration.
The Law & Justice Committee heard testimony Jan. 28 on Senate Bill 5268, which would classify unlawful possession of a firearm in both the first and second degree as violent offenses under Washington law.
Committee staff outlined current unlawful-possession definitions: unlawful possession after certain felony convictions or court orders may be charged in the first or second degree depending on the underlying conviction or order; classifying those offenses…
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