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While the legislature debates tough new gun background checks, smash-and-grab burglars break into gun stores with impunity thanks their other legislative changes.
We must be at rock bottom, right?
Gun violence is increasing fast. But while the State Legislature actively debates tough new gun purchase safety laws that include a ten-day waiting period for purchases, stronger background checks, and mandatory safety training, the same Legislature has made it easier than ever to simply steal guns from stores. The legislature appears to be struggling with a cognitive dissonance that is impacting their decisions and endangering the public.
Under the 2021 police pursuit law someone who wants free guns without all that new bureaucratic bother can hotwire a car or truck, drive through the front window of a gun store, and take what they want. The police can’t chase their stolen vehicle before it smashes into the gun store, and the police can’t chase it after it’s full of stolen guns or equipment.
This would sound far-fetched if had not happened last night in Renton. The smash-and-grab burglars got away with thousands in ammunition and gun supplies. Miraculously they did not get guns, which the shop owner had admirably and painstakingly locked very securely in safes before closing for the night. Next time the burglars might hotwire a truck with a crane lift, and even the best store’s safe might not be secure. Or they can simply do their smash and grab during the day when guns are on display. A quick grab, and drive away 5 MPH over the speed limit with no risk of a police chase. Who wants to fill out all that background paperwork stuff anyway, right?
This would not have happened before the pursuit law was changed. Back then, police would have likely located and stopped the highly-recognizable stolen truck before it even got to the gun store. If police didn’t stop the stolen truck before the crime, about six police units would have chased the suspects after the gun shop burglary, and police would continue pursuing and searching until they made an arrest. Knowing this was the probable outcome, the perpetrators would not have even attempted this brazen crime, and all concerned, including the (would-be) perpetrators, would be considerably safer.
Photo Credit: Bankers Auto Rebuild and Towing
While they didn’t get any guns, they did get ammo and other gun supplies. Yes, this store does sale guns, but it also sells supplies for safety and survival gear that individuals that so choose can purchase for their usage. Luckily, they were able to stay in business but will have to replace damaged and missing goods along with the front wall having to be replaced. When will out lawmakers figure out that while no lives were lost this is a tragedy that affects the lives of those who elected them?
Note: After making this comment I added this element to the article. That’s why it appears redundant.
I agree Dave. Two years ago the thieves would not have tried this. They would have known that they would probably get pulled over on the way to the gun shop in their highly recognizable stolen truck. And if not, they would have been pursued by about eight police units after the smash-and-grab. There would have been an APB to find their stolen truck, and arrest the culprits. Knowing this would have happened, they would have chosen not to do this brazen crime.
Today, they know they can drive a stolen truck anywhere they want, and that once they’ve left the store with the goods, there will be no APB or police units after them (in keeping with the 2021 law). With the payoff so high, and the risk so low, it’s a logical “business decision” to do the smash-and-grab.
The legislature needs to take responsibility for reasoning this out. It’s not rocket science.
It not the fancy politicians like Manka Dhingra who live in multimillion dollar homes that will pay for this lawlessness.
Why do we call the new breed of virtue signaling Democrats that doesn’t care about crime? We need a name, because no Democrat I know likes this and it’s unfair to lump them together.
As a start, I propose “trustfund socialist”.
Way too much drama Randy. This is just a robbery.
After Wizards Keep Games had a truck smash in like this and was robbed they decided to move from Renton to Kent.
This nonsense is terrible for our community.
Like Seattle, Renton has started losing businesses this way
HB 1513 and SB 5572 are another case of the legislature trying to sneak something by the people figuring they won’t notice. The “Traffic Safety for All ” bill. Will make it easier for criminals to not license their vehicles, thus making it easier to get their hands on Vehicules that people can’t trace. Looks like it is be backed by the ACLU.
Ow gawd. It’s sponsored by Ryu so it must be horrible.
She’s the Democrat that killed the Washington Asian Heritage Day. Because a Republican sponsored it.
She’s kind of a political bigot.