For Immediate Release: June 9, 2006

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

One senator’s session long battle to ensure that repeat child molesters face the ultimate penalty of death or life without parole ended victoriously today when Governor Brad Henry signed Senate Bill 1800 into law.

“Predators with multiple convictions for child molestation have proven they will continue to prey on Oklahoma’s children until they are stopped,” Jay Paul Gumm, the Senate architect of the landmark legislation, said. “This bill will stop them, and send a powerful message that in Oklahoma, we will protect our children with the most powerful weapon we have.”

Gumm, who was recently 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 citizens, especially innocent children.” Gumm said. “The crime of child molestation ripples throughout the life of a child, robbing them of their innocence and sense of safety. These victims often times have trouble holding down jobs and leading healthy productive lives—essentially ending the hopes and dreams that every child deserves.”

Gumm, himself a new father, originally introduced the idea of allowing juries in Oklahoma the option of sentencing repeat child molesters to the death penalty 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 aren’t keeping up with the news.

“Already we see case after case of child molesters who murder their victims,” the Durant Democrat said. “We need to send the message as a state, 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.”

For more information, contact:
Senator Gumm's Office: (405) 521-5586