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Mayor promotes common sense solutions
to reduce gun violence, make communities safer
"We have seen the tragic results of gun violence in communities large and small. What we seek are reasonable solutions to make our community safer." |
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-- Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels |
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Mayor Greg Nickels is a strong advocate for common-sense gun laws such as keeping firearms away from mentally ill individuals and closing the gun show loophole that allows criminals to buy weapons without background checks.
"We have a moral responsibility to keep guns out of the hands of children, felons and mentally disturbed people who can hurt themselves or others," Nickels said.
While Seattle has seen some of the lowest overall crime rates in decades, gun violence continues to claim far too many lives. Nickels has consistently supported measures in the state legislature such as banning assault weapons and requiring safe firearm storage when children are in the household. In April 2009 the state legislature passed HB 1498 which would prohibit those who are involuntarily committed for 14 days or more from possessing firearms. This law will keep guns out of the hands of more than 4,000 mentally ill individuals each year.
 As a founding member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Nickels has led an effort to make our cities safer. With more than 340 mayors from 40 states, the coalition has pushed to hold gun offenders and irresponsible gun dealers accountable and demanding access to trace data that is critical to law enforcement efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking. Mayors have also sought to fix gaps, weaknesses and loopholes in the law that make it far too easy for criminals and other prohibited purchasers to get guns.
After a man shot and injured three people at the 2008 Folklife Festival, Nickels directed city departments to evaluate rules, policies and leases related to guns. The suspect in the Folk Life shooting had been issued a concealed weapons permit despite a history of drug abuse and mental health problems. In 2008, the city introduced a policy requiring organizations that lease Seattle Center and other city property to take reasonable steps to prohibit guns during their events. After gathering public input, the mayor proposed an administrative rule that would prohibit firearms at designated park facilities where children are likely to be present, such as playgrounds, swimming pools and community centers.
"We cannot wait for another incident, another victim. We need to act," Nickels said.
The city has taken the lead in building a statewide coalition dedicated to reducing gun violence in Washington State. In 2007, the City of Seattle and the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, with funding from the Joyce Foundation, organized a historic one-day summit focused on reducing gun violence in Washington State. The summit drew more than 160 participants from around the state, including police, prosecutors, school officials, and representatives from the faith community, as well as local and state government. Participants discussed gun violence risk factors, effective interventions and areas in need of additional study and research.
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