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Armstrong introduces
legislation to save lives and
support law enforcement community
Rep. Mike
Armstrong,
R-Wenatchee, has introduced legislation that for the first time would
provide Washington peace officers with specific training in the area of
firearm retention and critical survival techniques.
“We all read with horror last year about Chelan County Sheriff Deputy
Saul Gallegos’ death by his own weapon, killed while defending the
public,” said Armstrong.
“At the request of Chelan
County Sheriff Mike Harum, I proudly introduced legislation this week to
make sure we do everything possible to prevent this from happening
again.”
The Saul Gallegos Peace
Officer Survival Act of 2004 would make sure law enforcement officers
are equipped with essential instruction in how to retain firearms and
defend themselves when criminals try to use an officer’s own weapon
against them.
Quoting the legislation,
Armstrong cited one of the most important aspects of advancing officer
safety is ensuring expertise in maintaining possession and control of
their weapons and disarming their attackers.
“That’s why this bill is
aimed at providing just that kind of much-needed education,” continued
Armstrong.
The bill would give
officers the training necessary to achieve and maintain expertise in
weapon retention and survival skills, including techniques for defending
against assailants trying to disarm an officer’s drawn gun, and for
regaining control if disarmed.
“More than 250 officers
have lost their lives like this in Washington, and it’s time we break
the deadly cycle,” said Armstrong.
Only days into the 2004
Legislature, the Saul Gallegos Peace Officer Survival Act is the first
bill Armstrong will prime-sponsor this session.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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