Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Councilmember M. Lorena González have announced their intention to introduce legislation to impose a one-size-fits-all method of storing firearms as well as punishing victims of theft by requiring reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours. Please contact council members and urge them to OPPOSE this proposed legislation. Click the “Take Action” button below to contact all council members.
Gun safety and storage is a matter of personal responsibility and every person’s situation is different. It is unreasonable for the law to impose a one-size-fits-all solution. This poorly thought out legislation is without any consideration for personal circumstances. This intrusive legislation invades people’s homes and forces them to render their firearms useless in a self-defense situation by locking them up.
This legislation would also punish victims instead of criminals by increasing penalties for those who have their firearms stolen or lost and setting a timeframe for when they must be reported. Individuals should not be further victimized after experiencing a burglary or other loss.
Furthermore, such legislation would be in clear violation of Washington's state firearm preemption statute. The state preemption statute, which passed in 1983, helps keep firearm and ammunition laws consistent throughout Washington by establishing that the State Legislature has full authority to regulate and create laws pertaining to firearms and ammunition. These statutes help prevent a confusing patchwork of gun control laws which make it difficult for gun owners to ensure that they are following the law. Further, Second Amendment rights are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of where they reside. State preemption statutes help protect against the infringement of rights of citizens who live in localities controlled by anti-gun elected officials. The proposal by Mayor Durkan is exactly the type of legislation against which the state preemption statute was designed to protect.
Again, please click the “Take Action” button to contact council members and urge them to OPPOSE this proposed legislation. In addition, you may find your council member here.
District 1 - Lisa Herbold
206-684-8803
[email protected]
District 2 - Bruce Harrell
206-684-8804
[email protected]
District 3 - Kshama Sawant
206-684-8016
[email protected]
District 4 - Rob Johnson
206-684-8808
[email protected]
District 5 - Debora Juarez
206-684-8805
[email protected]
District 6 - Mike O'Brien
206-684-8800
[email protected]
District 7 - Sally Bagshaw
206-684-8801
[email protected]
Position 8 - Teresa Mosqueda
206-684-8806
[email protected]
Position 9 - Lorena González
206-684-8802
[email protected]