Gumm’s Journey to Allow Death Penalty For Repeat Child Molesters Ends with Henry’s Signature

A Democratic senator's session-long battle to ensure that repeat child molesters face the death penalty ended in victory today as Gov. Brad Henry signed Senate Bill 1800 into law.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm originally introduced a bill to impose the death

penalty on those predators who have proven they will continue to prey on Oklahoma's children.

"This bill will stop them, and send a powerful message that in Oklahoma, we will protect our children with the most severe punishment we have."

Gumm, who recently was re-elected to a second term in the Senate without opposition, said passage of the measure makes Oklahoma one of the first states to enact the death penalty for repeat child molesters.

"Government has no greater moral obligation than to ensure the safety and well-being of our children," said Gumm, D-Durant. "The crime of child molestation ripples throughout the lives of victims, robbing them of their innocence and sense of safety.

"These victims often suffer lifelong affects—essentially ending the innocence every child deserves. We are talking about the worst of crimes and the lowest of criminals."

Gumm, a new father, originally introduced the idea earlier this year, and the proposal received national attention.

He said critics of the bill who suggest that death penalty might further endanger the life of a child apparently are not keeping up with the news.

"Already we see case after case of child molesters who murder their victims," he said. "We need to send the message that if you repeatedly prey on our children, we will find you, prosecute you, convict you and execute you."

"Our children our worth protecting with the ultimate penalty the law allows."

After Gumm's original bill died three times in the House of Representatives, the lawmaker partnered with Republican Senator Jonathan Nichols, including the provision in one of Nichols' bills.

"I am grateful to Senator Nichols for allowing my amendment to 'hitch a ride' on his bill," Gumm concluded. "Working together, we made Oklahoma a safer state for our children."