Drafter
Clerk 01/08/2020
Title
A RESOLUTION encouraging the Washington state Legislature to restore local authority to enact local firearm policies and pursue firearm policies that would benefit all Washington residents' health and safety.
Body
WHEREAS, nearly 40,000 Americans die by suicide, homicide or accidents with firearms each year, and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the King County Board of Health passed a resolution calling on lawmakers to take meaningful action to address gun violence and committing to supporting efforts to reduce gun violence and supporting a strong mental health system which includes prevention and early intervention services, and
WHEREAS, in 2017 firearms accounted for 49 percent of suicides in Washington State and suicides made up 75 percent of firearm deaths during the same year, and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the King County Board of Health passed a resolution calling on lawmakers to take meaningful action to address firearm tragedy, and
WHEREAS, during the 2015-16 school year, the Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction reported 130 incidents involving a gun on school premises, transportation systems or school facilities, and
WHEREAS, in 2017, 39,773 people died from gun-related injuries in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
WHEREAS, in 2017, 849 deaths were caused by firearms in Washington state, and
WHEREAS, in 2016 and 2017, 298 King County residents were hospitalized for nonfatal injuries from firearms including 25 children under 18, and
WHEREAS, in King County, firearm fatalities cost approximately $220 million in medical costs and lost productivity each year, and
WHEREAS, in 2018 the King County Board of Health adopted BOH18-04, requiring firearm dealers to post signs informing purchasers that firearms in the home significantly increase the risk of suicide, homicide, death during domestic violence disputes and unintentional deaths to children, household members and others,...

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