Gun Theft At Washington Cabela’s Triggers Second Prosecution Under Background Check Law
In 2014, Washington voters approved Initiative 594 to require background checks for person-to-person gun sales. But the law has only resulted in two prosecutions.
The first prosecution, last October in Island County, involved a gun that was later used in a murder.
The second case is also from last year, but it’s just now coming to light.
It involves the alleged theft of a .22 rifle from a Cabela’s outdoor store in Lacey, Washington by a man named Terry Lee Hadley, Jr.
According to charging documents, Hadley then either sold or traded the rifle to another man. That’s what triggered the charge under Washington’s expanded background check law.
“In this particular case, the perpetrator, Mr. Hadley, admitted that he transferred this firearm to the other person who happened to be a drug dealer in this case,” said Jeff Lippert with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office. “And so when someone admits to something like that it makes it very easy to prove.”
In addition to unlawful transfer of a firearm, Hadley is charged with theft, trafficking in stolen property and drug possession.
Lippert said he expects the case will end with a plea agreement. Hadley’s attorney did not immediately return a phone call.
According to the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, there have been nearly 27,000 background checks on private gun sales since the law took effect in December 2014. In addition, the Alliance says the law prevented 201 private gun sales between December 2014 and April 2017.
Opponents were before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this week in an attempt to revive a lawsuit that challenges key provisions in the law. They say it puts law-abiding gun owners at risk for prosecution.
A violation of the background check law is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. A second offense becomes a felony.
Related Stories:
After years of negotiations, new government Hanford plan stirs up plans to treat radioactive waste
A 2021 aerial photo of Hanford’s 200 Area, which houses the tanks and under-construction Waste Treatment Plant, in southeast Washington. (Credit: U.S. Department of Energy) Listen (Runtime 1:01) Read There… Continue Reading After years of negotiations, new government Hanford plan stirs up plans to treat radioactive waste
Washington Legislature poised to get big makeover in 2024 elections. Here’s why.
By: Jeanie Lindsay, Northwest News Network People running for office in Washington will begin submitting official paperwork next week to get on the ballot – and an unusually high number… Continue Reading Washington Legislature poised to get big makeover in 2024 elections. Here’s why.
WA ban on high-capacity gun magazines will stay in place as court battle continues
By: Jeanie Lindsay, Northwest News Network The sale of high-capacity gun magazines will remain illegal in Washington state while a court fight over the ban continues to play out. That’s… Continue Reading WA ban on high-capacity gun magazines will stay in place as court battle continues