Resolution 1325RESOLUTION NO. 1325
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Edmonds supporting the passage of
Initiative 594, the title of which states: "Initiative Measure No. 594 concerns background
checks for firearm sales and transfers. This measure would apply currently used criminal and
public safety background checks by licensed dealers to all firearm sales and transfers,
including gun show and online sales, with specific exceptions.
Should this measure be enacted into law? [ ] Yes [ ]" No.
Whereas, in 1993, the US Congress passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention
Act, requiring all federally licensed firearm dealers to perform a background check on every
firearm purchaser; and
Whereas, under current federal and state law, criminal background checks are not
required for the purchase of firearms through private transactions at gun shows, over the internet,
and in parking lots; and
Whereas, the incidence of yearly gun murders has increased to over 31,000 nationally;
and
Whereas, states with required criminal background checks on private firearm sales,
have been shown to have 38% fewer women murdered by intimate partners; 49% fewer suicides
by gun; 39% fewer of law enforcement officers killed by handguns, and a 64% fewer crime guns
trafficked to other states; and
Whereas, Since 1998, the background check system has blocked more than 2 million
sales to prohibited purchasers, including more than 40,000 in Washington State alone; and
Whereas, 98% of Washingtonians live within 10 miles of a Federally Licensed
Firearms Dealer who can conduct a background check in Washington State; and
Whereas, Initiative 594 will use the same background check system currently in use in
Washington state; and
Whereas, Initiative 594 makes no changes to Washington state hunting or shooting
laws; and makes reasonable exceptions for gifts between family members, antiques and relics,
temporary transfers and loans for hunting or sporting, and personal defense; and
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Edmonds supports policies that keep guns out
of dangerous hands while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners, and strongly believes
that the State of Washington should take action to close the loophole in our existing background
check system and keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and the dangerously
mentally ill; now therefore,
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THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS DOES RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council supports the passage of Initiative 594.
Section 2. the City Council authorizes the City Clerk to forward this resolution to the
City's delegation to the Washington State Legislature and the Chief of Police.
RESOLVED this 7th day of October, 2014.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
C CLE PASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: October 3, 2014
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: October 7, 2014
RESOLUTION NO.
1325
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