CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION supporting Washington Initiative Measure 1639 and urging Seattle voters to vote “Yes” on Initiative 1639 on the November 6, 2018, general election ballot.
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WHEREAS, gun violence in the United States results in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries annually; and
WHEREAS, our country has been wracked by too many tragic shooting deaths; and
WHEREAS, the tragic killing of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, spurred unprecedented activism in Seattle and communities across the nation regarding gun responsibility and community safety; and
WHEREAS, keeping the people of Seattle safe and secure from gun violence is and always will be one of the top priorities for The City of Seattle (City); and
WHEREAS, on August 10, 2015, the City passed Ordinance 124833 imposing a tax on the retail sale of firearms and ammunition to raise general revenue for the City and to use that revenue to provide broad-based public benefits for residents of Seattle related to gun violence by funding programs that promote public safety, prevent gun violence, and address in part the cost of gun violence in the City; and
WHEREAS, on June 27, 2016, the City adopted Resolution 31676 related to responsible and progressive protocols for police gun procurement, including destroying no longer needed firearms rather than selling the firearms out of state; and
WHEREAS, on September 12, 2016, the City adopted Resolution 31702 related to supporting the creation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders, allowing family members and law enforcement to petition the court to remove firearms from individuals presenting a serious danger to themselves or others; and
WHEREAS, in the 2017-2018 City Budget the Seattle City Council and former Mayor Tim Burgess dedicated funding to create and implement a regional domestic violence firearm surrender program, comprised of the City Attorney’s Office, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Seattle Police Department, and the King County Sheriff’s office, to enforce the requirement for persons served with domestic violence or extreme risk protection orders to surrender their firearms, and track and prosecute persons violating those orders; and
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2018, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SB 5992, making it illegal to manufacture, sell, purchase, own, or be in possession of a bump stock in Washington State beginning July 1, 2019, as well as directing Washington State Patrol to create a buyback program for individuals to relinquish a bump stock in exchange for $150; and
WHEREAS, on March 8, 2018, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan hosted a Town Hall at Chief Sealth High School on gun responsibility and community safety to listen and receive input from the community on actions the City might undertake to reduce gun violence; and
WHEREAS, on July 9, 2018, Mayor Durkan signed into law Ordinance 125620, sponsored by Councilmember M. Lorena González and passed unanimously by the Council, requiring the safe storage of firearms and increasing the civil penalties for failing to report a lost or stolen firearm; and
WHEREAS, the federal and state Constitutions guarantee the right to keep and bear arms, and gun responsibility measures in no way conflict with the exercise of these rights; and
WHEREAS, suicide is the leading cause of firearm deaths in Washington State: in 2014 alone, 545 individuals, or 49 percent of all those who took their own lives, used a firearm; and
WHEREAS, to reduce the level of gun violence in Washington State, we must take steps for meaningful suicide prevention as well; and
WHEREAS, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, 54 percent of mass shootings between 2009-2016 were related to domestic or family violence; and
WHEREAS, while every gun death or injury cannot be prevented, legislative steps can and must be taken to help prevent future tragedies and the loss of lives; and
WHEREAS, concerned Seattle residents have urged the Council to officially support statewide ballot measures that promote gun and community safety; and
WHEREAS, Initiative Measure 1639 (“I-1639”), concerning firearms, will be on the general election ballot on November 6, 2018; and
WHEREAS, I-1639 seeks to make changes to chapter 9.41 RCW, Firearms and Dangerous Weapons; and
WHEREAS, I-1639 would create an enhanced background check system and require firearm safety training and waiting periods before semiautomatic assault rifles may be purchased or delivered; and
WHEREAS, I-1639 would impose age limitations on who may purchase or possess certain firearms, including prohibiting purchases by persons under age 21; and
WHEREAS, I-1639 would require certain secured firearm storage or trigger locks, and criminalize noncompliant firearm storage if it results in unauthorized use; and
WHEREAS, after notice in accordance with RCW 42.17A.555 and Seattle Municipal Code Section 2.04.300, persons in favor of Initiative 1639 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 Seattle City Council urge Seattle voters to vote “Yes” on Initiative 1639 in the November 6, 2018, general election.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2018, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)