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The City of Seattle
Resolution
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A resolution declaring the City of Seattle's intent to implement an evidence-based, comprehensive gun violence reduction strategy, that includes partnering with national experts who have helped other cities significantly reduce gun violence, such as the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) at John Jay College.
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Recitals:
In 2025, The City of Seattle's Auditor published an audit titled: "Four Recommendations to Better Understand and Address Current Gun Violence Patterns in Seattle," which found a significant increase in gun violence over the past decade, including a sustained post-pandemic increase in shootings across the City.
The audit also found that between 2020 and 2024, shots fired increased by 71 percent; non-fatal shootings increased by 58 percent; and fatal shootings increased by 23 percent in Seattle.
During the 2020-2024 timeframe, the City also saw an increase in sex trafficking related incidents, greenbelt shootings, and nightlife related gunfire.
The audit determined that in managing its gun violence response, Seattle does not have an effective communications framework for regular and systematic coordination among City departments, other government entities, and community organizations.
Such a framework would help: improve data collection; collaboration in identifying individuals most likely to engage in gun violence; and foster an "all hands on deck" approach in finding effective solutions for reducing gun violence, such as focused deterrence.
In addition to the audit, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) issued a Shots Fired Report in 2025, which revealed a shift toward new categories of gunfire; and a rise in automatic-fire conversions and large-capacity magazines which increase the likelihood of mass-casualty events, suggesting that new strategies may be needed.
The City of Seattle currently fund...
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