OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington lawmakers say they are looking into a proposal designed to give juveniles a stern message about the consequences of using firearms.
A committee in the state House held a hearing Thursday on a bill that would send more young people to a rehabilitation program. King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg says the current law leaves the impression that the state tolerates juvenile possession of firearms.
He says it is important for the state to capture young people's attention and turn the person's life around.
The ACLU of Washington is against the bill, saying it could actually start the process of cycling people in and out of prison for the rest of their lives. ACLU also says the money for the bill could be better spent on other invention efforts.
The bill would cost between $1 million to $3 million per year.
