Dear Editor,

The April 17, 2019 now deceased shooter in Lewiston, Idaho was in Idaho from Washington under the terms of an interstate compact, because he had numerous previous felony convictions.  

Dispatchers noted Cook had recently been hospitalized on a mental hold but had left against doctor’s wishes and made threats to law enforcement.

Cook was prohibited from owning a firearm and had a number of criminal convictions, many involving violence.

He was convicted in October 2016 of unlawful possession of a firearm and sentenced to one to two years in prison; charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. He was released from prison in August. Cook was convicted of felony burglary in March 2005 and sentenced to six years of probation but violated the terms and was placed in a minimum security prison program, also called a rider. He had previous misdemeanor convictions for theft, battery and several juvenile alcohol and tobacco violations.”

Source:  https://www.policeone.com/off-duty/articles/483599006-Gunman-shoots-off-duty-LEO-twice-at-home-in-ambush-attack/

Would any of the numerous bills introduced this session have prevented a similar situation to Mr. Cook’s shooting spree?  He appears to be the classic example of someone intent on committing a crime and willing to violate any law to do so.  So I ask again if any of the plethora or bills introduced during the 2019 Washington Legislative Session would prevent such an incident?  

It appears laws only affect law abiding citizens—not those who chose to ignore them.  (Speed limits, use of turn signals and cell phone use when driving are prime examples.)  Yet some continue to introduce “new and improved gun safety measures” which, again, only affect those who chose to obey the law and have little impact on those committing the crimes.

Sincerely,

Jim Davison, Waitsburg