Not in West Seattle but with all the city-owned parkland etc. around here, certainly relevant – the city’s just set a public hearing for the proposed rule restricting guns on city-owned property – read on for the full announcement (including a new webpage through which you can send written comments):
The city of Seattle has scheduled a public hearing on a
proposed administrative rule to restrict firearms on city-owned
property.The hearing will be held on Dec. 15, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Seattle City
Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, with sign-in beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Bertha
Knight Landes room is accessible from the building’s Fifth Avenue
entrance. Residents unable to attend may also submit written comments
at: www.seattle.gov/firearmsruleFollowing a shooting that injured three people at the Folklife Festival
on May 24 of this year, Mayor Greg Nickels directed all city of Seattle
departments to study the adoption and enforcement of policies, rules and
contractual agreements which would prohibit the possession of dangerous
weapons, including firearms, on city property. The suspect in the
Folklife shooting had a concealed weapons permit, despite a history of
drug abuse and mental health problems.“From increasing the number of patrol officers on our streets, to our
Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, we’re addressing public safety
issues from all directions. Common-sense gun rules are just one more way
to protect our workers, residents, families and children,” said
Nickels.The proposed rule does not include any specific criminal or civil
penalties, but a person refusing to comply with the rule would be
subject to citation or arrest for criminal trespass.The proposed rule would not apply to:
● City streets and public sidewalks, except when they are being used
for non-transportation purposes such as special events. The rule does
apply to sidewalks and other walkways located within city parks.
● Motor vehicle parking garages and parking lots.
● City property leased and occupied for residential purposes.
● City-owned property that is located outside the state of
Washington.
● The Roger Dahl Rifle Training Range.To address the safety of visitors, including families and children, at
city-owned properties, the city of Seattle is also implementing a
firearms policy which is applicable to permits, leases and other
contractual agreements for the use of city property. Under its policy,
the city would lease, rent or permit the use of city property to only
those parties who prohibit all persons, except law enforcement officers,
from possessing firearms on leased city premises. To prevent the
possession of firearms during an event, the city would also require
sponsors of major events to take reasonable steps, such as signage,
visual inspections, safe storage for lawful firearms, etc. The city
would also permit departments to add gun-free terms to most leases and
agreements.State law allows private property owners to prohibit the presence of
firearms on their property. As a property owner, the city has rules at
Seattle Center and most facilities such as City Hall, prohibiting
firearms unless a person has a concealed weapons permit. Organizations
that lease Key Arena also have the ability to prohibit firearms in the
facility. In addition to other prohibitions, state law prohibits
firearms at schools, jails and courthouses.
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