Originally published Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (176)
E-mail article
Print view
Mayor's firearms proposal draws fire at hearing
If Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' proposed firearms policy is on track to become law by executive order, little short of a successful legal challenge is likely to derail it.
Seattle Times staff reporter
If Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' proposed firearms policy is on track to become law by executive order, little short of a successful legal challenge is likely to derail it.
The proposal has its supporters. And sidetracking it may be an uphill battle.
Still, that didn't stop Keli Carender from trying at a public hearing Monday night.
"Any sort of ban is gun control," she said, after speaking for her allotted 90 seconds against the measure. Moments later she told a newspaper reporter: "It's the same old argument going around and around." Carender said she is among those "trying to protect their right to keep and bear arms."
Earlier this year, Nickels directed all city departments to "study the adoption and enforcement of policies, rules and contractual agreements" that would prohibit possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons on city property.
If such a ban had been in place eight months ago, a Memorial Day weekend shooting at the city's Folklife Festival at Seattle Center might have been avoided, Nickels' mayoral aide Alex Fryer said.
Nickels' proposed administrative rule would ban possession of firearms on most city property, with some exceptions. It does not require City Council approval.
The proposal includes no specific criminal or civil penalties, but anyone refusing to comply could be cited or arrested for criminal trespass.
The public hearing Monday night at Seattle City Hall opened the proposal to public comment. Nearly 200 people attended, and more than 70 signed up to speak.
To Carender, a 29-year-old South Seattle resident, Nickels' proposal violates the U.S. Constitution and state law. "It also opens the gate to tyranny,"she said.
According to Public Health — Seattle & King County statistics, as recently as two years ago firearms were the fourth-leading cause of injury-related death in King County. Tony Gomez, the health department's manager for chronic diseases and injury prevention, called the unchecked possession of weapons a complex public-health problem and said Monday night "it's a public safety problem." The health department supports the measure.
Carender questioned whether the mayor has authority to prohibit guns on public property. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was a legal challenge," she said.
Charles E. Brown: 206-464-2206 or cbrown@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
Flood fears dampen business, home sales
Nicole Brodeur: Homeless woman bent on giving
Chuckanut Drive to be closed up to a week
Everett Symphony may cancel rest of season after holiday shows

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
nwautos
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Do you suffer from "sitting disease"?
Post a comment
- Home break-in ends in shootings, Everett police say
- Steve Kelley | Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
- Mariners Blog | Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
- As glam as he wants to be: Adam Lambert's real debut
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Bellevue Blog | Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Husky Men's Basketball Blog | An interview with Enes Kanter's coach
- Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
252 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
243 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
206 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
153 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
139 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
90 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
82 - Man shoots self at Westlake Center
79 - Teen pimp found guilty of human trafficking
63 - Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
49
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'






