Story Published:
Jul 27, 1999 at 11:10 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 30, 2006 at 9:54 PM PDT
STATEWIDE - Convicted felons are not allowed to use or possess guns, according to Washington law. That includes rifles, shotguns, and antique firearms. But a KOMO 4 News investigation has found that more than two thousand felons, many convicted of serious crimes, were issued hunting licenses. Something state wildlife officials say, is a good clue someone is using a gun.
KOMO 4 News compared computerized prison records from the Department of Corrections and the State Patrols sex offender list, with Fish & Wildlifes 1997-98 hunting license database, and found almost 2,800 matches.
State officials say, its not illegal for a felon to have a hunting license, but it does send a strong message.
"It would indicate to me, they intend to go hunting," says Chuck Bolland, spokesperson for the Department of Fish & Wildlife. "And unless it's archery. It's going to involve a firearm."
KOMO found that about 400 felons are bow hunters, which is legal, as long as they also dont use guns. The remaining 2,400 and possibly more appear to be using firearms.
But its hard to tell just whos using what because the license itself doesnt require holders to list the type of weapon. Stronger clues are found in other records. For instance, hundreds of hunters have special bird licenses. Bolland says, hunters usually hunt fowl with a shotgun, not a bow.
Even stronger clues were found in the database listing Transport Tags. A hunter must purchase one of these to legally hunt Deer and Elk. These forms require disclosure of the weapon, and approximately 600 felons listed a modern gun or an old-fashioned muzzle loader. Bolland says the purpose of these tags, is clear.
"Unless they just keep it in the wallet and don't use it, they will have been using a firearm, and will have been out in the field with a firearm, either their own or a borrowed one," he says.
Under the law, criminals convicted of less serious, non-violent crimes may petition a court to have their gun rights restored. A sampling of 30 cases revealed only one case where the felon asked to have those rights restored, and he was turned down. His deer tag indicates he continued hunting anyway.
But Dan Satterberg with the King County Prosecutors Office says, criminals convicted of violent crimes can never have their rights restored.
"Felons have proven they're not willing to obey societies laws, and we think owning a gun is a responsibility, and a right, and you lose that right if you've shown you're not responsible," Satterberg says.
But that hasnt kept them from hunting. KOMOs investigation found more than a thousand criminals in the serious and violent categories have hunting licenses. Crimes that include child molestation, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, manslaughter, and murder. The list also included hundreds of current registered sex offenders, though their levels are not listed in the State Patrols sex offender data.
One case profiled in KOMOs report involves an Auburn man convicted in 1986 of 2nd degree Murder for his role in the death of an 87-year-old Tacoma woman. He finished his sentence in 1996, but his crime permanently removes his firearm rights. In fact, the order restoring his civil rights says it may not include his right to possess or use a firearm. But KOMO found the felon had purchased a hunting license in 1997 and a transport tag to kill deer with a modern gun. At first, the felon acknowledged he hunts using his wifes rifle. Then he denied it.
Verna Wilson of Gig Harbor, the daughter-in-law of the felons elderly victim couldnt believe he is using a gun.
"Who's to say with his history, that he's not going to go out and do this again?" says Verna Wilson of Gig Harbor. "He has a rifle. He could."
Satterberg said one reason the number of felons may be so high is because when the law was passed it was made retroactive to include all felons. But the felons were not notified, so many may not realize theyre breaking the law. He said they still shouldnt have firearms, but would deal with any they discovered on a case-by-case basis.
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