Following a shooting that injured three people at the Folklife Festival on May 24, Mayor Greg Nickels directed all City of Seattle departments to study the adoption and enforcement of policies, rules and contractual agreements which would prohibit the possession of dangerous weapons, including firearms on city property.  The suspect in the Folklife shooting had a concealed weapons permit, despite a history of drug abuse and mental health problems.

The proposed administrative rule would prohibit the possession of firearms on most City property.  The proposed rule would not apply to:

• City streets and public sidewalks except when they are being used for non-transportation purposes such as special events.  The rule does apply to sidewalks and other walkways located within city parks.
• Motor vehicle parking garages and parking lots.
• City property leased and occupied for residential purposes.
• City-owned property that is located outside the State of Washington.
• The Roger Dahl Rifle Training Range.

State law allows private property owners to prohibit the presence of firearms on their property.  As a property owner, the City has rules at Seattle Center and most city facilities such as City Hall prohibiting firearms unless a person has a concealed weapons permit.  Organizations that lease Key Arena also have the ability to prohibit firearms in the facility.  In addition to other prohibitions, state law prevents firearms at schools, jails and courthouses.

Policy for city property: To address the safety of visitors including families and children at city-owned properties, as well as the security of city employees, the City of Seattle is also implementing a firearms policy which is applicable to permits, leases or other contractual agreements for use of city property. Under its policy, the City would lease, rent or permit the use of city property only to those parties that prohibit all persons, except law enforcement officers, from possessing firearms on leased city premises. The City would also require sponsors of major events to take reasonable steps to prevent the possession of firearms during the event, such as providing signage, visual inspections, safe storage for lawful firearms, etc. The City would also permit departments to add-gun free terms to most leases and agreements.

Enforcement:   The proposed rule does not include any specific criminal or civil penalties, but persons refusing to comply with the rule would be subject to citation or arrest for criminal trespass.

View the administrative rule (PDF)
View the policy (PDF)

Public input
The city will hold a public hearing on the proposed administrative rule on December 15, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. ending at 10:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, with sign-in beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The Bertha Knight Landes room is accessible from the building’s Fifth Avenue entrance.

You may also submit a comment about the proposed rule here:

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