Resolution 2018 - 14

In Support of Yes on 1639, Safe Schools, Safe Communities

Whereas gun violence is a public health epidemic which claims tens of thousands of lives in America every year and results in tens of thousands more injuries; and

Whereas gun violence traumatizes communities and people across our state; and

Whereas in Washington state a person is killed with a gun every 14 hours [1] and more Washingtonians are killed by guns than die in car accidents [2]; and

Whereas five of the deadliest mass shootings this decade have used semi-automatic assault weapons and/or high capacity magazines [3]; and

Whereas there have been more than 50 school shootings in 2018 [4] and more than 187,000 students have been impacted by school shootings since 1999 [5]; and

Whereas it is currently easier to purchase a semi-automatic assault weapon in Washington state than it is to buy a handgun; and

Whereas nearly half of Washington gun owners do not lock up their guns [6]; and

Whereas the Washington State Democratic Party platform adopted June 16, 2018 calls for improving gun sale background checks, establishing waiting periods, raising the minimum purchase age to 21, requiring safety training, and implementing laws that hold adults accountable for unsafely stored firearms; and

Whereas Initiative 1639 includes all of these measures to help prevent gun violence in Washington state.

Therefore, be it resolved that the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization supports Yes on Initiative 1639, Safe Schools, Safe Communities, and encourages Washingtonians to vote in favor of Initiative 1639.

Adopted August 8, 2018 by the 32nd District Democrats

Originated by the “Yes on 1639 Campaign”
(206) 909-7641, press@yeson1639.org

[1] Chelsea Parsons and Eugenio Vargas. “Gun Violence Across American.” Center for American Progress, 2016, https://s3.amazonaws.com/interactives.americanprogress.org/maps/raphael/AmericaUnderFire/pdfs/WA-GunViolence- factsheet.pdf.
[2] Ibid
[3] “High Capacity Magazines and Assault Weapons.” Everytown, 2018, https://everytownresearch.org/high-capacity- magazines-assault-weapons/.
[4] https://everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#6189
[5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/local/us-school-shootings-history
[6] https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/violence-injury-prevention/violence-prevention/gun-violence/LOK-IT- UP/~/media/depts/health/violence-injury-prevention/documents/firearm-facts.ashx