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Roach's bill to prevent
violent felons from possessing body armor shot down by majority party
31st District lawmaker says inaction puts law
enforcement, public at risk
A measure that would
prohibit violent, convicted felons from possessing and using body armor
has been shot down in the state House.
Rep. Dan Roach,
prime sponsor of
House Bill 1922, believes this inaction puts law
enforcement officials and the public at risk.
"I join many other
concerned citizens who worry that violent felons could go on crime
sprees with body armor and that it would be difficult, if not
impossible, for law enforcement to use deadly force to stop them," said
Roach, R-Bonney Lake. "This is about protecting law
enforcement officials and the public. By not acting on this legislation,
we are inviting tragedy."
Body armor is considered any
clothing or equipment that would provide protection from injury or death
from a deadly weapon. Roach does not want those who
have been convicted of a violent crime to be able to possess or use it
for any reason.
Roach points out that
two
incidents this year highlight the need for the bill to pass.
"This is an emerging issue and the problem is real. Just this week,
a man wearing body armor broke into a house and was later apprehended
with a rifle and handgun," said Roach. "There was also
an incident in January in which a convicted felon participated in a
drive-by shooting and eluded police. He was found to be wearing a bullet
proof vest.
"We need to deter violent felons from obtaining body
armor, and provide stronger penalties for those who do not comply," said
Roach. "This is about being proactive -- not reactive
-- when it comes to public safety. I don't want to run this bill in the
future in the wake of a life lost."
House Bill 1922,
which has bipartisan sponsors, did not receive a hearing in the House
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee prior to cut off.
However, House majority leadership can still pull the measure from
committee and allow it to move forward at any time during the
legislative session. Roach encourages citizens to
contact their state lawmakers in support of the bill.
The
105-day legislative session is just past its midway point and is
scheduled to run through April 26.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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