Everett Wants To Require Reporting Loss Or Theft Of Gun Within 24 Hours

On Wednesday the Everett City Council will get a look at two proposed ordinances regarding guns in Everett, Washington.

In the first case the city wants to require people who have lost or had a gun stolen to report it within twenty four hours.

Currently under State and Federal law people are not required to report the loss or theft of a firearm.

According to briefing papers for the ordinance last year (2017) at least one hundred forty guns were stolen in thefts or burglaries in Everett as reported in sixty nine separate offense reports.

In 2017 Everett Police investigated sixty one cases involving a stolen firearm or someone in possession of a stolen firearm. Also in 2017 Everett Police report recovering twenty seven firearms that were never reported as lost or stolen. So far this year that number sits at nine.

The proposed ordinance the council is being asked to consider says upon discovery of a lost or stolen firearm, that the owner report such theft or loss to the Everett Police Department within twenty four hours. The law would also require the police department to enter the available information about the firearm into a local and national database.

Violation of the ordinance would not be a criminal offense but would be a civil infraction carrying a fine not to exceed $250.00.

The second proposed ordinance coming before the Everett City Council Wednesday night is more of a housekeeping measure.

Currently pointing a firearm at or toward someone, whether loaded or not, within the city limits of Everett is a misdemeanor. The proposed law would raise the penalty to a gross misdemeanor which is in line with Washington State law.

In addition, firing a firearm, air gun or other weapon within the city limits of Everett would be a misdemeanor. There are exceptions for military, law enforcement, security personnel and gun ranges in the ordinance. You can see the entire proposed ordinance here.

Again Wednesday’s meeting is just a briefing session and first reading of the two proposed ordinances. There will be a public hearing and final reading of the ordinances on July 11th before the city council votes.