CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION supporting Washington Initiative Measure 1491 and urging Seattle voters to vote “Yes” on Initiative 1491 on the November 8, 2016 general election ballot.
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WHEREAS, gun injuries and deaths in Washington State are a significant public health problem with approximately 600 people killed by guns each year over the past decade, and in 2010 more people in Washington State died by guns (609) than in traffic accidents (554); and
WHEREAS, a majority of mass shooters over the last 20 years have shown signs of serious crisis prior to taking fatal action and nearly 80 percent of those attempting suicide make their intentions known before an attempt; and
WHEREAS, survivors and family members from the 2014 University of California, Santa Barbara shooting, the 2013 Café Racer shooting in Seattle, and the 2006 Jewish Federation of Seattle shooting - as well as parents and family members of shooters and suicide victims - have stated that laws like Extreme Risk Protection Orders could have prevented their tragedies; and
WHEREAS, family members, household members, and law enforcement officers are often in the best position to see early warning signs of dangerous, violent, and threatening behavior; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle is committed to reducing gun violence through engaging on policies of regional, state, and national scale that can address this crisis; and
WHEREAS, Initiative 1491 is modeled on successful laws around the country and based on the well-established Washington state system of protection in order to fill gaps in the system that allow people experiencing crisis or demonstrating violent behavior to possess and purchase firearms; and
WHEREAS, Initiative 1491 is an initiative to the people in Washington State that would create Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which will allow families and law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if there is documented evidence that an individual is threatening harm to themselves or others because of dangerous mental illness or at high risk of violent behavior; and
WHEREAS, after notice in accordance with RCW 42.17A.555 and Seattle Municipal Code Section 2.04.300, persons in favor of Initiative 1491 and those opposed to it have been given an equal opportunity to share their views in an open public meeting, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Mayor and City Council support creating Extreme Risk Protection Orders, allowing family members and law enforcement to petition a court to remove firearms from individuals who present a serious danger to themselves or to others.
Section 2. The Mayor and City Council urge Seattle voters to vote "Yes" on Initiative 1491 in the November 8, 2016 general election.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)