Update: The city passed the resolution Wednesday with a vote of 5-1. David Ward voted against. Steve Bonkowski was absent.
The City Council will decide Wednesday whether to add its voice to the national conversation on gun control.
The council is set to consider a resolution advocating the reinstatement of a federal ban on assault weapons, a federal ban of high-capacity ammunition clips, and state and federal legislation requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales. You can read the full resolution here.
If approved, the resolution will be sent to the island’s state and congressional representatives. It would not change any regulations within the city.
Councilwoman Kirsten Hytopoulos introduced the resolution after hearing from islanders about a need to take action on gun violence issues in the wake of the Newtown, Conn. school shooting. A number of cities have passed similar resolutions, she said.
“I feel pretty confident in the values of the community and what I’ve heard,” Hytopoulos said at a Jan. 9 council meeting. “I feel pretty comfortable bringing this forward, I think it’s not considered controversial by most in this community.”
The council will also consider a resolution supporting a countywide tax to pay for mental health and chemical dependency treatment programs, and a resolution endorsing a letter by regional mayors advocating increased transportation funding at the state level.
The council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.
Bainbridge Sportsmen’s Club President Alan Kasper distributed an open letter to the council detailing his stance on the issue. You can read Kasper’s letter here (PDF), and feel free to offer your own thoughts in the comment section.
Photo: Sharla Musabih of North Kitsap holds a candle at a prayer vigil organized at Battle Point Park Dec. 15, in the wake of the Newtown, Conn. shooting. (Tad Sooter photo)
About as effective as banning meat on Mondays … like they did in LA. Meh.
Ahh, Bainbridge Island is going to save the world from guns. Isn’t that cute.
About time Bainbridge did something about their gun violence. Good work!
Oh yes, don’t forget to mandate that all criminals abide by your save the world mentality. Its all the law abiding citizens that are causing the problems, not those with mental issues or criminal back grounds.
I don’t know how this passed when washington has a state preemtion clause in RCW 9.41.290.
“Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.”
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.290
James,
Thank you for the comment. As I mentioned in the post, the resolution doesn’t (and couldn’t as you correctly note) change policies within the city. It merely advocates action at the state and federal level.
Tad