LA- Police chief considers gun-offender registry

4-25-2009 Louisiana:

Law would be similar to registry for sex offenders.

Offering the latest in a flurry of ideas to combat Shreveport's spike in gun violence, Police Chief Henry Whitehorn has prepared a draft ordinance introducing a gun offender registry similar to that for the state's sex offenders.

The registry would require people convicted of gun-related crimes to register with police to let them know where they are living. Eventually, it could turn into a public online registry with photographs and statistics. The measure would allow residents to find out whether they are living near someone who has been convicted of a gun-related crime, including homicides, aggravated assaults and drive-by shootings.

"As part of our strategy to keeping Shreveport safe, we were searching for solutions to insure gun offenders are taken off the streets and this is one piece that would be a part of a solution," Whitehorn said.

"It's not just Shreveport. Anyone who is paying attention realizes that this is happening all over."

As with sex offenders, individuals would have to pre-register by filling out paperwork in court.

Upon release from prison or after being convicted, they'd have deadlines to register their name, aliases and their address to police and give them a photo.

Offenders also would have to update their information with authorities every so often, Whitehorn said. Failure to comply with the registration could lead to criminal charges and violators could face jail time, a fine or both.
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The program would be modeled after one that began in New York City two years ago, and it would be the first of its kind in Louisiana. Baltimore also has it.

"I haven't introduced it yet, but it's something that I mentioned during a recent law enforcement summit to get feedback and see what others thought," Whitehorn said. "I didn't get any negative responses. How could anyone be against something that will make our city safe?"

The registry would be a proactive approach to deter illegal gun possession and recidivism. A felon is prohibited by federal and state laws from owning or possessing any firearm. Whitehorn says many people who are arrested for gun-related violence are repeat offenders.

The chief plans to present his draft at an upcoming public safety meeting and from there, it could go to the City Council. He said he realizes there could be opposition to starting the registry, but he believes the idea is worth pursuing.

"It's always hurdles, particularly when people feel as though you are trying to take part of their constitutional rights," Whitehorn said. "This will not have any effect on the general population, just the criminal element, a small part of population that's creating the problems. That's the target group.

"It's strictly for those violent gun offenders. You are not registering weapons, but offenders who have been involved in violent crimes."

Katherine Wafer with the Criminal Justice Police Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group for reform of laws on how much information about offenders should be made public, said the idea could be problematic.

"I would be concerned that this type of law would have an opposite effect than what is intended. It could be used to marginalize people and keep them on the outskirts of society."

The chief plans to present his draft at an upcoming public safety meeting and from there, it could go to the City Council. He said he realizes there could be opposition to starting the registry, but he believes the idea is worth pursuing.

"It's always hurdles, particularly when people feel as though you are trying to take part of their constitutional rights," Whitehorn said. "This will not have any effect on the general population, just the criminal element, a small part of population that's creating the problems. That's the target group.

"It's strictly for those violent gun offenders. You are not registering weapons, but offenders who have been involved in violent crimes."

Katherine Wafer with the Criminal Justice Police Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group for reform of laws on how much information about offenders should be made public, said the idea could be problematic.

"I would be concerned that this type of law would have an opposite effect than what is intended. It could be used to marginalize people and keep them on the outskirts of society." ..News Source.. by Loresha Wilson