CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION opposing concealed carry reciprocity.
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WHEREAS, on January 3, 2017, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced H.R. 38 and on February 27, 2017, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced S. 446, both known as the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017; and
WHEREAS, on December 6, 2017, H.R. 38 passed in the US House of Representatives by a vote of 231-198; and
WHEREAS, while every state allows concealed carry of firearms under some circumstances, each state has different requirements on who is permitted to carry, what requirements are appropriate, and what type of training should be required of permit holders; and
WHEREAS, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 would allow people with concealed carry permits in one state to carry their weapon in any other state, including those with stricter limits on concealed carry than the state in which they obtained their permit; and
WHEREAS, Washington has some of the strongest gun responsibility laws in the country, Washington has the tenth-lowest firearm mortality in the country, and this legislation would weaken the regulations our state values by allowing gun owners from states with significantly less-stringent regulations to carry concealed weapons in our state; and
WHEREAS, these bills would force Washington to abide by the less restrictive laws passed by other states and therefore severely hamper Washington’s ability to conduct law enforcement related to the lawful carrying of firearms and to keep the public safe from the dangers of general proliferation of concealed firearms in public places; and
WHEREAS, studies by the American Public Health Association have shown that firearms are a poor choice for self-defense as they increase the likelihood of death or injury to the possessor; and
WHEREAS, our nation is suffering from an epidemic of gun violence that kills well over 600 Washingtonians every year, and we must begin taking steps to protect our citizens from this public health crisis; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. The Seattle City Council opposes H.R. 38 and S. 446, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, and calls on Seattle’s U.S. congressional representatives to vote against these bills and work with their colleagues to oppose these bills.
Section 2. The City Clerk shall forward a signed copy of this resolution to all Washington state representatives in Congress.
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
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)