44 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: 'Assault rifle' seized in North Delridge July 4th gunfire arrest"

• Suge White July 5, 2016 (3:29 pm)

  Interesting scope placement. 

  • Bradley July 5, 2016 (3:57 pm)

    That’s a long-eye-relief “scout”-type scope which allows the forward placement. It is low-powered/short-range and gives a wider field of view than a more powerful, conventional scope. I doubt a felon who would fire a gun so recklessly in public even knows much about this firearm. He probably stole it in a burglary of a home or store.

• Neighbor July 5, 2016 (3:37 pm)

  The “tweet by beat” that was sent out hours after the incident puts this at SW Dakota and 25th Ave SW, not the 4200 block of SW Dakota.

  https://twitter.com/SeattlePDW1/status/750307004325826560

  • WSB July 5, 2016 (3:46 pm)

    The gunfire incident, as mentioned multiple times here and in our story from last night, was indeed in the 4100 block of 25th SW – that other address was mentioned by SPD Blotter only because that’s where it was called in from.

    • Neighbor July 5, 2016 (4:08 pm)

      I was just mentioning I think Jonah got the address wrong for where people flagged down the police. 4200 SW Dakota is 2 miles away, a trivial detail.  Thanks

      • WSB July 5, 2016 (4:27 pm)

        I’m just going to parenthetically substitute “nearby.” While blueblocked text means we have directly quoted/cut/pasted, and we don’t edit it unless there is an obvious typo, I do usually give it a once-through and should have caught that.

  • Sevenless July 5, 2016 (3:56 pm)

    Probably a typo in the write-up, since the 2400 block of Dakota would be right around the corner from the initial report?

• Chuck July 5, 2016 (3:38 pm)

  While I don’t love the reckless behavior, I DO love that these felons are doing their part in helping the cops to find them and put them behind bars. Stupid is as stupid does. And these guys (including the two felons who recently harassed bystanders by flashing guns following a car break-in) are just begging for long jail sentences. Good job SPD!!

  Oh, and that’s a really nice rifle, btw. Have to wonder if a stolen weapons charge might be part of the charge?

• Bradley July 5, 2016 (3:58 pm)

  Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Good job, SPD, in getting another dangerous felon off our streets.

• flimflam July 5, 2016 (4:03 pm)

  yeah that gun looks like it would be great for deer hunting. phht.

  • Bradley July 5, 2016 (4:35 pm)

    A deer rifle is FAR more dangerous than an AK-47. An AK-47 round has about 2/3 the power and falls out of the air at about 300 yards. The deer rifle round than can go 3-4 times that far, shoot through several people, cars, houses, etc.  Hunting rifles are designed to bring down huge animals.  Regardless, no felon should be anywhere near ANY sort of firearm.

    • Zack July 5, 2016 (5:16 pm)

      There are many things to consider when determining the lethality of a gun.  Bullet caliber is only one of them.  A semi automatic rifle, with high capacity magazine obviously has greater lethality than a typical hunting rifle.  

      • Bradley July 5, 2016 (8:36 pm)

        “Lethality” is a subjective term here. Lethal at what range? Lethal behind cover or not? Lethal if someone is shooting at you or not? Judging any firearm by “lethality” is silly as all firearms are lethal and can be used to kill someone or something. The poster above indicated that deer hunting somehow justifies gun ownership and not hunting does not.

• Seattlite July 5, 2016 (4:34 pm)

  Good job SPD!

• clark5080 July 5, 2016 (4:36 pm)

  FlimFlam I guarantee he didn’t get it legally

• anonyme July 5, 2016 (4:51 pm)

  Illegal fireworks, felons, and assault rifles.  God Bless America.

• Marcus m July 5, 2016 (6:08 pm)

  Strap one of those on a bald eagle, ‘merica!

  • John July 6, 2016 (1:29 pm)

    “merica”

• Kayo July 5, 2016 (6:40 pm)

  Why does anyone need a gun like this in the first place?  Obviously, in this case, it is probably stolen, but I just don’t get it.  Really terrifying to know this was going down just blocks from my home.  So glad this person was caught and arrested.  Thank you, SPD and whoever called it in.

• dale July 5, 2016 (7:25 pm)

  Assault Rifle. Not used for sport or defending one’s home. Those who would purchase one need to take up golf. Leave artillary to our trained military. Not the pretenders. 

  • Bradley July 5, 2016 (8:41 pm)

    Millions of your fellow, law-abiding citizens use “assault rifles” for sport (look up 3-gun competitions and note their massive, growing popularity) and to defend their homes and families. If you knew how many “assault rifles” were legally owned by your tax-paying,  hard-working, and civic-minded neighbors in West Seattle alone you would be shocked. Such rifles are only used in a small handful of violent crimes every year (FBI) and this PALES in comparison to handguns.

  • Nora July 5, 2016 (10:13 pm)

    I have to side with Bradley on this one. Defending your home typically happens at a closer range, which would make a handgun more effective, but rifles work pretty well from the opposite end of the hall or top of the stairs.

    Also, 2,000 people have been shot in Chicago this year. I haven’t heard of a rifle used in a single one of those shootings. Further, the top 20 guns seized by Chicago police last year were all either pistols or revolvers (https://www.thetrace.org/2016/01/chicago-crime-guns-chart/). We may hear about rifles most often, but they are certainly not the most common type of gun among criminals.

  • Andy July 6, 2016 (5:09 am)

    What does NEED have to do with it? Who are you to question what somebody else needs? I don’t need an AR-15 either, but if multiple assailants break into my house, which seems to be happening, in some parts of the country, more and more frequently, not only will I need an AR-15, but I will WANT one also.  I see all kinds of people recklessly driving cars with 500 horsepower engines, but nobody questions the need. It’s not about need ——– it’s about want. 

• can u believe it July 5, 2016 (10:33 pm)

  Gee Brad, no I didn’t know that “assault rifles” were now a sport. Waiting for the day for a high school competition. Where can I start a fundraiser for it? I forgot that only “assault rifle” owners were tax paying too. I will use that next time. It makes such a difference. 

  • Anonymous Coward July 6, 2016 (7:15 am)

    I kid you not, but in the mid-90’s, I learned to shoot by joining my public, inner-city high school’s rifle team.  We shot .22lr bolt action rifles.  And the range was between the gym and the library.  (If you look up the history of high school rifle teams, you’ll find it was common for public school students in NYC to carry their own rifles to/from school on the subway…)

  • Bradley July 6, 2016 (8:22 pm)

    What you refer to as an “assault rifle” have been the top-selling firearms in the Nation for over 25 years. Almost every handgun sold in nearly every state in the past 12 years holds over 10 rounds of ammunition and falls under the “assault weapon” category the anti-2nd Amendment crowd likes to tout. Check with any gun store in 48 states and they will tell you their best-selling rifle is any brand of AR-15 and their best-selling handguns are 9mms holding 15-18 rounds. You really should take the time to check out 3-gun competitions online. You will see even pre-teens participating with what many  like to call “assault weapons”.

• AMD July 5, 2016 (11:01 pm)

  I think asking why someone needs an AK-47 for sport shooting is like asking why someone needs a Hummer to drive in the suburbs.  Some people like over-the-top cars, some people like over-the-top firearms.  As long as the person who is choosing the over-the-top option at least behaves responsibly (i.e. not like this guy) I don’t see a problem with it.  I don’t get it, but I can’t outright condemn it just because I don’t get it.

• furor scribendi July 5, 2016 (11:36 pm)

  Great job SPD on responding, disarming, and arresting people who are clearly dangerous and out of control.

  As a long-time recreational target practice shooter and occasional hunter, I know “Assault rifles” have no place in the world of hunting, or of self-defense. Too much firepower in the hands of ill trained users, too easy for knuckleheads like the pair mentioned in this article to get the really dangerous versions, and just plain too many people rolling around armed: enough is enough. It’s time we insisted on re-instituting an assault weapons ban like we’ve had in the past, preferably on a national level but on a state-by-state basis if need be. 

  • Bradley July 6, 2016 (8:11 pm)

    First of all, the gun used in this incident was not an “assault rifle”. The ATF has no definition of “assault weapon” outside of “fully-automatic firearm”, which have been illegal since 1934. It is also not a military rifle. It is a civilian version and semi-auto replica of an actual AK-47. Your wish to have some sort of “assault weapon” ban is extremely subjective, as any firearm can be  listed as such by clever lawmakers. Do you own a Glock, Sig Sauer, HK, or Beretta pistol? If so,  congratulations, as you now own an assault weapon as defined by new California law. Do you own a bolt-action rifle, a pump-action shotgun, or a lever-action rifle? Do you own a 9mm, 45 ACP, .308, .30-06, or 12ga caliber firearm? Congratulations, again, as you now own a “military weapon of war” as defined by every group who wants to ban “military-style assault weapons”. Every bolt-action rifle is a copy of the Mauser battle rifle. Every lever-action “cowboy” rifle is the same military weapon used in the mid-to-late-1800s. Pump-action shotguns were declared as unfair for combat by Germany in WW1. All .45, 9mm, and 12ga ammo is military ammunition. I guarantee, if you really own firearms, as you claim, that you own something that someone wants to see banned, confiscated, and “off the streets”.

• Double Dub Resident July 6, 2016 (5:03 am)

  The assumptions that since this guy is a POS felon with a gun that it must be stolen may not be true. Unfortunately, people can still buy guns at gun shows and online without a background check. Without a background check, there’s no way to check to make sure this guy isn’t supposed to have this gun. 

  As a gun owner and concealed carrier, I think this loophole needs to be changed. 

  I also think that anyone getting their concealed carry needs at the minimum,   not only to take a firearms and concealed carry class, but needs to pass them before they get their permit. People have to take a driving test and PASS it to be able to legally drive a car, but for concealed carry, you only need money and no felonies or DV convictions. I find that a little asinine. 

  I’m a gun owner who doesn’t try to delude themselves or attempt to re brand a gun into being something it is not. A gun is not a tool. It is a weapon and a dangerous one. A hammer is an example of a tool with a primary purpose of driving nails into something. A secondary purpose it could be used as a weapon. 

  A gun is a weapon. That is its primary purpose, to either inflict injury/bodily harm or threaten to do so. And to say target shooting is another primary purpose is amusing as target practice is mimicking the above and/or the practice at becoming more proficient with the weapon to perform the above.

  • Bradley July 6, 2016 (8:16 pm)

    That is simply not true. Every gun show in Washington State that is run by the Washington Arms Collectors (nearly every show) requires all sales be between members only and all members must have had a background check to join. Also, federal law requires that every gun show in the Nation have all dealers perform a NICS background check on every firearms transfer. This is true for ANYONE in the “business of selling firearms”. In our State, it is now illegal for anyone to transfer a firearm to another non-immediate relative without first conducting either a NICS or conventional federal background check.

• kayo July 6, 2016 (8:20 am)

  Thank you for that insight Double Dub.  I truly appreciate your thoughtful perspective.  Unfortunately, guns and gunfire appear to be rampant in my neighborhood and when someone is shooting an AK-47 mere blocks from where my family is sleeping it leaves me scared and angry.  Clearly, guns are readily available to anyone who wants them regardless of felony background or any other red flags.  It’s a huge problem.  I don’t know the solution, but when you are faced with the sound of gunshots on a regular basis in your neighborhood it is beyond frustrating to know there is not much any of us can do about it but call the police and hope they respond quickly enough to catch the perpetrators.  I don’t hold out much hope that anything will change on this in my lifetime. 

• Lala July 6, 2016 (10:03 am)

  Insert a 9mm instead of that rifle…same comments to be made?

• WSB July 6, 2016 (10:05 am)

  and for anyone interested in more details of the actual incident … we’ll have additional info later today after the suspect’s bail hearing. – TR

• WSGirl July 6, 2016 (10:10 am)

  I dare you to try and buy a gun at a gun show.  Have you ever even BEEN to a gun show? You can NOT buy one at a gun show without a background check. Absolutely not. 

  • ScubaFrog July 6, 2016 (10:28 am)

    WSGirl I’ve bought several firearms from gun shows, in my life.  All types of different firearms, at different shows. Never once was I required to do a background check.  Kind of like a swap meet of gun enthusiasts.  Private sales don’t require background checks. 

• Lala July 6, 2016 (10:23 am)

  Even if these loopholes are “closed” these idiots that want to harm others will find a way. People tend to forget about the hustling by any means necessary idiots that sale guns to anyone and don’t give a care in the world.

  But this guy…gotta applaud him. He had to have been high or drunk. And kudos to the neighbors for taking charge and calling 911.

  I’ll be honest i love collecting guns of all type. I frequent several ranges because i enjoy it. I don’t carry but i do have a permit. 

• Double Dub Resident July 6, 2016 (10:34 am)

  WS girl, you leave out a very important point. You may not be able to do it here, but many surrounding states you can. Who says this guy didn’t pop over to Idaho and get the gun? 

  The fact is, there are many states which require no background check. This needs to change.

  And have I ever been to a gun show? Oh maybe one or two, since I work for a gun range, more specifically the SPD range. 

• Double Dub Resident July 6, 2016 (10:38 am)

  http://www.governing.com/gov-data/safety-justice/gun-show-firearms-bankground-checks-state-laws-map.html

• Double Dub Resident July 6, 2016 (11:02 am)

  http://smartgunlaws.org/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/universal-background-checks/

• Double Dub Resident July 6, 2016 (11:04 am)

  Yes Lala, if you insert 9mm instead of assault rifle, MY comments still stand 

• Ex-Westwood Resident July 6, 2016 (11:51 am)

  A lot of interesting comments here, but quite a few show that there is a conflict of terms here, being made by uninformed people or people that are purposely trying to ramp  up the “anti-gun” rhetoric.

  First – this was NOT an “Assault Rifle”. It is a semi-automatic rifle. An Assault Rifle has three modes of fire;

  Safe – Weapon will not fire.

  Semi-Auto – One round per one trigger pull.

  Auto – Multiple rounds fired as long as trigger is held down . 

  A Semi-Automatic rifle has two modes of fire;

  1. Safe

  2. Semi-Auto

  This type of rifle has been called an “Assault Weapon” which is a category that has NOTHING to do with the capabilities of the rifle, but was coined in the late 80’s to place rifles with PURELY cosmetic changes, like a pistol grip, detachable magazine, folding stock…etc., in a category to make them sound more dangerous.

  Can “Fully Automatic” Assault Rifles be purchased LEGALLY? Yes, but it requires a ‘Class III’ FFA license which is expensive to get, ALL purchases are registered by weapon and buyer, and are HIGHLY regulated by BoATF&E (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives).

  As this person was a FELON, he was by law, forbidden to on or possess this or ANY firearm. I am pleased that this was pointed out by some.

  As for the claim of going to a Gun Show and purchasing guns without a “Background Check” (BGC), if they have a valid WA CCL and present it, NO BGC is required, otherwise, they are FLAT OUT LYING, esp. if it occurred in WA.

  ALL Gun Show sponsors that hold a gun show in WA, state that;

  ALL LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL FIREARM LAWS WILL OBSERVED AND ENFORCED.

  In fact, at Washington Arms Collectors (WAC) gun shows ONLY members may purchase firearms. The process of joining the WAC INCLUDES a BGC which MUST be passed before the membership is accepted and activated.

  I know because even though I have a Federal CWP,  at the last gun show I went to (not a WAC show), the vendors wouldn’t sell to me because I did not have a Washington CCL and they would have had to place a ‘Hold’ on the firearm until the BGC was completed. BTW – This isn’t something new at gun shows, but has been policy for YEARS!

• Double Dub Resident July 6, 2016 (12:44 pm)

  Ex Westwood resident, you forgot to mention private sells which Don’t require background checks in most states. And you forgot to mention if you were buying handgun or a long gun which also makes a difference.

  Links already provided

  • Ex-Westwood Resident July 6, 2016 (6:18 pm)

    You are correct, but I-594 took care of private sales. What happens outside of the gun shows are NOT the responsibility of the show or the sponsors, but is the responsibility of law enforcement. 

    I was buying a handgun. But because of the outcry against semi-automatic rifles, most vendors won’t sell unless a verified BGC has been completed.

Sorry, comment time is over.