Edmonds City Council....gun control agenda!

[gogodawgs]

Any locals? http://www.edmondswa.gov/agendas.html AM- 5424	7.
City Council Meeting
Meeting Date: 01/29/2013 Time: 10 Minutes Submitted For: Councilmember Peterson Submitted By: Jana Spellman Department: City Council Review Committee: Committee Action: Type: Action
Information
Subject Title
Consideration of adding support of gun control to the Edmonds City Council legislative agenda.
Recommendation
Previous Council Action
Previous Council Action Edmonds City Council passed a legislative agenda (Exhibit A) on December 4, 2012.
Narrative
In the wake of the Newtown, CT and other shootings across the United States, consideration of reasonable gun control measures have been introduced in many states and are being considered on a Federal level. Council Member Peterson would like the Edmonds City Council to consider adding the following language to its 2013 legislative agenda. The Edmonds City Council supports legislation in favor of gun safety laws and regulations that reduce violence and result in safe, responsible gun ownership, including: a ban on all assault weapons; a ban on large capacity (greater than 10) ammunition magazines; universal background checks, including at gun shows; trigger locks and safe storage requirements; and micro-stamping technology in all firearms sold, purchased or delivered in the State to improve the capability of police to trace fired bullets.
Fiscal Impact
Attachments Exhibit A: 2013 Legislative Agenda - Approved
Form Review Inbox Reviewed By Date City Clerk Sandy Chase 01/24/2013 11:08 AM Mayor Dave Earling 01/24/2013 04:46 PM Finalize for Agenda Sandy Chase 01/25/2013 08:42 AM Form Started By: Jana Spellman Started On: 01/24/2013 10:54 AM Final Approval Date: 01/25/2013

 

[carracer]

When is your next city council election?

 

[Alpine]

I contacted the mayor as well as left a message for council member Strom H. Peterson who is the guy putting this forward.

The Mayor called me back, his name is Dave Earling, he was very polite. I asked him what he knew about this and he said he said it was just a motion to have these "issues added to the overall legislative agenda" and he thought it wasn't so much that any local laws would be enacted, but it was a precursor to the city later soliciting legal change in the state legislature.

I wasn't entirely sure by all of that, so I did take the time to remind him that other cities in the PS area have enacted their own rules which are illegal and result in lawsuits, settlements, and lots of problems. I specifically mentioned the issues in Seattle, Oak Harbor, and Lakewood to him. he said he was aware of state pre-preemption and what it means. I urged him that if he had any zealous council members who were intent on passing local rules in spite of all that to have the city attorney go on record with what the legal effects would be prior to a vote.

Mayor Dave Earling told me that it would be best to contact Strom Peterson directly. Of course, standard rules: I urge everyone here to do so, make sure you keep it calm, polite, friendly etc. etc. Here is his contact info:

Strom H. Peterson
Council Position #2
Contact Phone: 206.799.7363
E-mail: Peterson@ci.edmonds.wa.us
Term Expires: 12/31/2013

 

[RunningBare]

So, basically, this is nothing more than political posturing, looks like to me. With State preemption, Edmonds can't actually do any of the things this councilcritter wants. I'm assuming "Legislative Agenda" means "lobbying state legislators".

 

[Alpine]

Yeah, but as you've seen from the wonderfully bright and talented city councils elsewhere: Lakewood, Oak Harbor, etc., they get "revved up" and then pass these things to "take a stand." My guess is they'll start discussing it maybe initially as a lobbying thing and then a zealous anti on the city council will make a motion one night and it may pass.

 

[gogodawgs]

So, basically, this is nothing more than political posturing, looks like to me. With State preemption, Edmonds can't actually do any of the things this councilcritter wants. I'm assuming "Legislative Agenda" means "lobbying state legislators".

Yes. I would suggest attending and putting on the record that you do not wish that your city council lobby's against the state and federal constitutions.

 

[RunningBare]

Yes. I would suggest attending and putting on the record that you do not wish that your city council lobby's against the state and federal constitutions.

I'll either attend or write a letter, since I work in that area.

 

[RunningBare]

Yeah, but as you've seen from the wonderfully bright and talented city councils elsewhere: Lakewood, Oak Harbor, etc., they get "revved up" and then pass these things to "take a stand." My guess is they'll start discussing it maybe initially as a lobbying thing and then a zealous anti on the city council will make a motion one night and it may pass.

That's the thing with elected officials - they rarely, if ever, actually recognize any boundaries or restrictions on their "power".