Everytown Applauds Court Ruling Dismissing Gun Lobby-Backed Challenge of Seattle Responsible Storage Ordinance
10.19.2018
SEATTLE – Everytown for Gun Safety, the country’s largest gun violence prevention organization, today applauded a King County Superior Court Judge’s ruling dismissing a challenge to Seattle’s responsible storage ordinance.
In July, the city passed the ordinance, which requires gun owners in Seattle to secure guns in their homes and other premises in a locked container whenever they are not carrying the guns or otherwise have them under their control. Everytown’s Litigation Team, along with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, is representing the City of Seattle. Soon after the ordinance was passed, the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation filed a suit against the city, challenging the gun safety measure as preempted under state law. Everytown and Orrick moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs failed to allege that they intended to engage in the kind of irresponsible firearm storage the ordinance prohibits. That motion was granted with prejudice earlier today, and the lawsuit was dismissed.
STATEMENT FROM ERIC TIRSCHWELL, DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION AT EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“Today’s ruling is a win for Seattle residents, whose mayor and city council passed an ordinance carefully tailored to promote responsible gun storage and improve public safety. The court’s decision highlights the hypocrisy of organizations that claim to support responsible gun storage but then run into court as soon as a city or state tries to make such responsible storage not just a suggestion but a legal requirement.”
STATEMENT FROM SEATTLE MAYOR JENNY A. DURKAN:
“As we take urgent action to save lives, our courts have sided with Seattle over the NRA. We will continue to work with our partners to stop irresponsible legal challenges to this commonsense, life-saving measure. We will also ensure that significant portions of taxpayer money are not required in the case that there are future legal challenges to this law. I am grateful that legal experts who share our commitment to reducing gun violence are standing with us and standing up for safer communities.”
STATEMENT FROM SEATTLE CITY ATTORNEY PETE HOLMES:
“It seems the NRA jumped the gun in filing their lawsuit against this eminently reasonable legislation meant to protect children and the vulnerable. My thanks to Everytown for Gun Safety and Orrick LLP for their pro-bono defense of the City in this lawsuit.”