Official Wants Harsher Penalties for Teen Gun Violence
Violent crimes continued to be committed by teenagers — and at least one official is calling for harsher penalties for those who use guns in the commission of these offenses.
We’re seeing serious robberies committed by kids who really aren’t fully mature in the way they think but they’re carrying guns which makes them very dangerous …
[King County, WA Prosecutor Dan] Satterberg is focusing on research that shows juvenile brains are not yet fully developed. He cites studies that show adolescents must rely heavily on emotional centers of the brain when making decisions.[Source: KCPQ-TV (Seattle)]
Satterberg suggests that penalties for teens who use guns to commit violent crimes should be harsher, in the hopes that stiffer penalties would make kids think twice. Satterberg has lobbied for such changes to Washington state laws, but been told the change would cost too much money.
