The new gun laws will likely go into effect by the first of August.
The first measure says upon discovery of a lost or stolen firearm, the owner must 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 of $250.00. After the council vote Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman told MyEverettNews.com, “To me this is a common sense approach to gun and firearm safety in our community and I’m pleased to see the Mayor and City Council in support.”
In 2017 at least one hundred forty guns were stolen in thefts or burglaries in Everett as reported in sixty nine separate offense reports. Also last year Everett Police investigated sixty one cases involving a stolen firearm or someone in possession of a stolen firearm and EPD reports recovering twenty seven firearms that were never reported as lost or stolen. So far this year that number sits at nine.
The other ordinance that passed tonight raised the offense of pointing a gun or firearm at someone, whether loaded or not, to the level of a gross misdemeanor. Previously it had been a simple misdemeanor. 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.
The new laws will go into effect fifteen days after being signed by the Mayor of Everett.
You can see both of the ordinances here.
July 11, 2018
Everett Government, Police Blotter