King County Council votes to fund measures to prevent gun violence

  • Monday, November 6, 2017 3:48pm
  • News
King County Council votes to fund measures to prevent gun violence

The King County Council is investing more than $600,000 to implement enforcement of firearm relinquishment and compliance in domestic violence and extreme protection order cases, funding the work approved by Washington state voters through Initiative 1491 in 2016.

They are investing an additional $100,000 for a public health outreach and education campaign to promote firearm injury prevention around the county.

Meanwhile, Council Chair Joe McDermott and Council members Claudia Balducci, Rod Dembowski, Larry Gossett, Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Dave Upthegrove released the following joint statement regarding Sunday’s mass shooting in south Texas.

“How many more bullet casings and bodies must fall before legislators in our nation’s capital muster the courage to stop people from dying from weapons in our streets? It is beyond time to act,” said the council members in a media release. “We are doing our part today, but real change must start in Washington, D.C. Congress has a moral obligation to act and to act immediately.

“The people of King County stand with the people of south Texas and send our deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in yet another preventable attack.”

Council members Reagan Dunn, Kathy Lambert and Pete von Reichbauer released their own joint statement in response to the tragedy in Texas:

“All people deserve to feel the utmost level of safety, especially at their place of worship. We condemn this despicable act of violence.”




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property

T
Orwall replaces Keiser as 33rd Legislative District senator

Moves from House to Senate to fill seat of retiring Keiser; district includes part of Kent

t
Driver in Kent suffers minor injuries after crashing into pole

Single-car crash Wednesday morning, Dec. 11 in 8600 block of South 228th Street

t
Fifty children participate in 11th annual Kent Police Shop with a Cop

Officers pair up with children to buy gifts at Target from community donations

File Photo
Kent Police arrest man for reportedly texting a child to meet for sex

Police say incident a cautionary story for anyone with children; offer online/cellphone safety advice

Courtesy Photo, Washington State Patrol
State Patrol arrests Federal Way man in fatal Kent crash on I-5 | Update

Victim identified; driver faces vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and DUI charges in Dec. 8 collision