Ken Schram: Lawmakers need to get serious
With state lawmakers, it's almost always about the flash.
Here's a quick look at a couple of bills that prove my point.
The first is yet another weak-kneed law dealing with drunk driving.
It's a proposal that would require the 12-hour impound of a vehicle driven by someone arrested for drunk driving.
This from a legislative body that says a person can be convicted of drunk driving four times before being charge with a felony.
A 12 hour impound?
Why not 30 to 60 days?
The state can seize someone's car for poaching, but when it comes to drunk driving, lawmakers develop a "there-but-for-the-grace-of-god-go-I" mentality.
How about some mandatory jail time for first and second time offenders?
This is one more attempt to deceive the public that the law is tough on drunk drivers.
The other measure is the proposal to ban assault weapons.
Trudging out this tired and lame gun measure is a waste of time and effort.
Want to actually deal with escalating gun violence?
Pass laws that regulate private handgun sales; require that handgun owners have a home safe to store their weapons, and tack on extra prison time for crimes committed using a gun.
Want to get serious about drunk driving and gun violence?
Then lawmakers should actually be serious.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.
Here's a quick look at a couple of bills that prove my point.
The first is yet another weak-kneed law dealing with drunk driving.
It's a proposal that would require the 12-hour impound of a vehicle driven by someone arrested for drunk driving.
This from a legislative body that says a person can be convicted of drunk driving four times before being charge with a felony.
A 12 hour impound?
Why not 30 to 60 days?
The state can seize someone's car for poaching, but when it comes to drunk driving, lawmakers develop a "there-but-for-the-grace-of-god-go-I" mentality.
How about some mandatory jail time for first and second time offenders?
This is one more attempt to deceive the public that the law is tough on drunk drivers.
The other measure is the proposal to ban assault weapons.
Trudging out this tired and lame gun measure is a waste of time and effort.
Want to actually deal with escalating gun violence?
Pass laws that regulate private handgun sales; require that handgun owners have a home safe to store their weapons, and tack on extra prison time for crimes committed using a gun.
Want to get serious about drunk driving and gun violence?
Then lawmakers should actually be serious.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.