SEATTLE – Everytown for Gun Safety and the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded Mayor Jenny Durkan for signing a city ordinance that requires responsible gun storage. The ordinance 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.
Mayor Durkan is a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, part of Everytown for Gun Safety.
The ordinance promotes gun safety by encouraging responsible storage of firearms. Unsecured guns pose a huge risk to children, families and communities. They can also contribute to the problem of guns being stolen from a home by criminals. According to the Seattle Police Department, 250 guns were reported stolen in the City of Seattle in 2017.
The ordinance was introduced by Mayor Durkan in collaboration with Councilmember M. Lorena González. In the past months, volunteers with the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action have testified at city council hearings and contacted city council members in support of the ordinance.
Following the ordinance’s passage, Everytown for Gun Safety announced that Everytown’s Litigation Team, along with Orrick LLP, will represent the City of Seattle on a pro bono basis in any resulting litigation.
STATEMENT FROM JANETTE AMBAUEN, VOLUNTEER WITH THE WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Mayor Durkan stood on the side of public safety by championing this common-sense measure and signing it into law today. We are so grateful for the courage and leadership of Mayor Durkan and the Seattle City Council for exercising their power and authority to encourage residents of Seattle to responsibly store their guns. If we can prevent even one child gun death with this legislation, it will be well worth it. I’m proud of our city for standing up for gun safety today.”
