CITY OF KIRKLAND Department of Finance & Administration 123 Fifth Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033 425.587.3100 www.kirklandwa.gov MEMORANDUM To: Kurt Triplett, City Manager From: Kathi Anderson, City Clerk Michael Olson, Director of Finance and Administration Date: April 23, 2018 Subject: DISPOSTION OF GUN SAFETY PETITION G-18-233 RECOMMENDATION: Council votes by motion to accept Petition G-18-233 and refer to staff for follow up. This is one of the options for action on a petition outlined in Section 3.08 of the Council Policies and Procedures. Staff is recommending this action since a request for a resolution was brought to the Council at the April 17, 2018 Council meeting under public testimony. Following the testimony, the Council directed staff to return with a resolution for Council’s consideration at the May 1, 2018 Council meeting. A resolution on gun safety is included under “Unfinished Business” on the Council agenda. The “staff follow up” for the petition will be accomplished through Council’s review of the resolution. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION: Section 3.08 of the Council’s Policies and Procedures was updated with the passage of Resolution 5145 in September 2015 to include options for the disposition of petitions. Prior to this change, there were no clear guidelines on what the Council should do when receiving a petition. The updated language calls for the Council to respond to a petition with a motion for action. The motion may include any of the following options: 1. Accept the petition and refer the matter to a Council Committee for further study. 2. Accept the petition and refer to staff for follow up. 3. Accept the petition and determine that no further action is needed. Council Meeting: 05/01/2018 Agenda: Petitions Item #: 6. c. (1).
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CITY OF KIRKLAND Department of Finance & Administration 123 Fifth Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033 425.587.3100 www.kirklandwa.gov
MEMORANDUM To: Kurt Triplett, City Manager From: Kathi Anderson, City Clerk Michael Olson, Director of Finance and Administration Date: April 23, 2018 Subject: DISPOSTION OF GUN SAFETY PETITION G-18-233 RECOMMENDATION: Council votes by motion to accept Petition G-18-233 and refer to staff for follow up. This is one of the options for action on a petition outlined in Section 3.08 of the Council Policies and Procedures. Staff is recommending this action since a request for a resolution was brought to the Council at the April 17, 2018 Council meeting under public testimony. Following the testimony, the Council directed staff to return with a resolution for Council’s consideration at the May 1, 2018 Council meeting. A resolution on gun safety is included under “Unfinished Business” on the Council agenda. The “staff follow up” for the petition will be accomplished through Council’s review of the resolution. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION: Section 3.08 of the Council’s Policies and Procedures was updated with the passage of Resolution 5145 in September 2015 to include options for the disposition of petitions. Prior to this change, there were no clear guidelines on what the Council should do when receiving a petition. The updated language calls for the Council to respond to a petition with a motion for action. The motion may include any of the following options:
1. Accept the petition and refer the matter to a Council Committee for further study. 2. Accept the petition and refer to staff for follow up. 3. Accept the petition and determine that no further action is needed.
Council Meeting: 05/01/2018 Agenda: Petitions Item #: 6. c. (1).
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Council Meeting: 05/01/2018 Agenda: Petition Item #: 6. c. (1).
Name City State Postal Code Country Signed On1 Paula White Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/16/18
2 Kalpita Kothary Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/16/18
3 Nish Kothary Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/16/184 Karen Story Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/16/185 Janni Trenary Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/186 Dan Franklin Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/187 Amy Alberts Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/188 Alycia Ramirez Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/189 Sara So Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/18
10 Susan Sato Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1811 Anita Damjanovic Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1812 Maurine Bryan Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1813 Amy Falcone Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1814 Daniel Weise Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1815 Gary Passavant Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1816 Megan Smiley Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1817 Leah Kliger Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1818 Patricia Hagenbuch Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1819 Sheila Hale Bernstein Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1820 Bonnie Fletcher Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1821 Mark Schneider Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/18
22 anne-marie rosen kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1823 Laura Ruderman Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1824 William Shain Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1825 Suzanne Coker Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1826 Marilyn Pedersen Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/18
27 Susan Schwartz Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1828 Linda Bailey Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1829 Douglas Jacobson Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1830 Kevin Hansen Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1831 Helen White Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/18
Petition Signatures - Kirkland Residents Only
"I’m happy to be part of making our community safer."
"Common sense saves lives!"
"I believe private ownership of all firearms should be legislated as illegal. This is a messy and emotional topic. Reducing and/or eliminating the huge and unrestricted volume of lethal weapons in the American population is more important than the second ammendment or the right to participate in sport. Innocent lives are being lost in increasing numbers. It may take years, decades or centuries to get firearms out of illegal and sport ownership but we need to start."
"It’s time to enact reasonable gun safety legislation. I want Kirkland to be a safe community for my kids and grandchildren."
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32 Heather McKnight Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/18
33 Louise Hewitt Kirkland 98034 US 4/17/1834 Bob and Vera Fahl Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1835 Anne Gauthier Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1836 Matthew Bagnulo Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1837 Jan Young Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1838 Laura Robinson Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/18
39 Peter Lewis Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1840 Jonathan Stutz Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1841 Sheryl Vincent Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1842 Christin Walenczak Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1843 Heather Rutkowski Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1844 Sarah Alexander Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1845 Kristin Kalning Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/18
46 Arijan Clark Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1847 Steve Schuh Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1848 Meredith Selfon Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1849 Pamela Hynes Kirkland WA US 4/17/1850 Mary Wilson Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1851 Jonnel Bowser Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1852 Luis Adrianzen Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/17/1853 Karen Peters Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/1854 Julie Munko Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/17/18
55 Jessica Aguirre Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/18/1856 Jillian Mitchell Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1857 Katy Asher Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/18/18
58 Ada Agrait Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1859 Sonja Kellen Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1860 Mary Price Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1861 Bobbi Ostrum Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1862 Elizabeth Luekens Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1863 Allison Morton Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/18
"We need to make sure that common sense gun safety measures are fully implemented on the local and state level!"
"I believe strongly in gun-sense legislation."
"Now is the time to keep moving forward with the demand that "every's" rights be protected. Gun Safety Measures are vital!"
"We need to push for smart legislation to keep people safe - especially our kids!"
"I'm supporting this gun safety resolution because gun ownership and gun safety are not mutually exclusive and to the extent that we save lives through identifying and enacting measures to educate, reduce access by unauthorized persons and other actions to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence we have a moral imperative to do so. This is a public safety issue not a political issue. It is my sincere desire that gun safety advocates, responsible gun owners and elected officials can work in tandem to save and protect lives. Thank you for your consideration."
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64 Susan Chulick Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1865 Valerie Jackson Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/18/1866 Lara Kropp Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1867 Liz Hedreen Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1868 Meredith Rasche Kirkland CA 98033 US 4/18/1869 Himani Naresh Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1870 Douglas Taylor Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1871 Marina Taylor Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/18/1872 Linda Coleman Kirkland WA US 4/18/1873 Elizabeth Sirjani Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/1874 Emily Voss Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/19/1875 Tanya Dinpsey Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/1876 Susan Worthen Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/19/1877 Maureen Crabtree Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/18
78 Phil Hamre Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/19/1879 Robert Dimpsey Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/1880 winn richardson kirkland WA 98034 US 4/19/1881 Stephanie Owens Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/1882 Hae Sue Park Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/1883 Lindsay Little Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/19/1884 Deborah Gandolfo Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/19/1885 Rachel Pemble Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1886 Joe Dobner Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1887 Amy Rice Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1888 Jill Rand Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/20/1889 Mark Vossler Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/20/1890 Michele Shapiro Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1891 Jo Ann Gabrielson Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/20/1892 Joachim Veith Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1893 Louise Pathe Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1894 Gloria Newvine Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/20/1895 Kirstin Larson Kirkland WA US 4/20/1896 Jennifer Davis Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1897 Linda Howe Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/1898 Joan Whittaker Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/20/1899 Laurie Corrin Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/18
100 Meredith Goldstein Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/20/18101 Brigitte Veith Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18102 Jacki King Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18103 Susanne Canin Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18104 Linda Leste Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18105 Dorothy Lautman Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18
"Let’s show our state legislators that cities like Kirkland demand common sense gun laws. #Enough"
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106 Bonnie McDaniel Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18
107 Ghislaine Bernard-Hasan Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18108 Sarah Franklin Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18109 Jennifer Jaeger Kirkland WA 98034 US 4/21/18110 Beth Lenholt Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/21/18111 Inger Fogarty Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18112 Joan Lindell Olsen Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18113 Alisa Prinos Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18114 val burmester Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18115 Lina Kramer Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18116 Melissa Stone Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18117 Erica Erignac Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18118 Amylia Saunders Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18119 Elizabeth Standal Kirkland WA 98033 US 4/22/18
"I believe that if citizens come together in communities across the country we can pass common sense gun legislation and create cultures that are safer and healthier for our kids. I love my city and I want it to be a leader in this effort."
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe James D. Lewis [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, There are moments in our lives when the affairs of the world seem to demand our attention. It is not enough to merely stand on the sidelines when the possibility of reshaping history presents itself. We are at this time in regard to halting, or at least slowing, what seems to be an almost religious passion for guns in America. The marches led by the survivors of the Stoneman Douglas highschool shooting have set the stage for communities across the nation to enact measures to limit access to guns, promote responsible ownership and hopefully reduce the violence in our schools, our homes, and potentially on our streets. If we fail to act now, history will not be kind to us. This is our moment. I encourage the Council to support the Resolution for Gun Safety Reform as endorsed by the Kirkland Indivisible organization. Sincerely, James D. Lewis
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Jennie Jaeger [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, My college roommate is a graduate of Columbine High School. One of her former teachers died in the mass shooting there. That day was a terribly tragic one, but most tragic of all, is that it was just another in an unending series of shooting deaths, including the murder of a colleague of mine by her estranged boyfriend a decade later. This has to stop. We need to collect data, analyze what works, and change public policies. We need to address our societal problem of gun violence from every level -- from the city to the federal government, from private to public. I strongly support the "Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety" from Indivisible Kirkland and Kirkland Safe. Sincerely, Jennie Jaeger
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Debbie Lacy [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, As a resident of Kirkland and a parent of a student at A.G. Bell Elementary, I’m writing to encourage you to vote in favor of the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. Let’s not wait for a community tragedy before we act. We know from the recent history of mass shootings in our country that it is only a matter of time before our quiet, peaceful community falls victim to a tragedy. Joseph Blocher, a professor at Duke Law School, wrote a recent article about firearm localism: “If we are stalemated at the national level, might we pursue gun regulations tailored to local experiences, preferences, and needs? Thoughtful policy suggests, and our traditions and Constitution support, this kind of “firearm localism.” It could help us find a way out of the current policy impasse.” The City of Kirkland demonstrates thoughtful leadership on a range of issues, including ones complicated by clear divisions in the community. I have appreciated how the City listens to its residents and stands up on their behalf. This is another opportunity for Kirkland to respond to the community’s concerns and support efforts that bring us to real solutions. I want to be part of a city that takes proactive measures rather than coming together after a tragedy wondering why we didn’t do more when we had the chance. I am personally willing to donate my time to host a Kirkland community dialogue (using the City’s new KirklandTalks model) about gun safety and gun rights. The dialogue model is an ideal way to begin the work in our community because it’s not about debating the issues, but about all participants getting to understand each other first. Please feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to follow up. (You may be wondering how I can effectively facilitate a dialogue when I have strong
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opinions on the topic. The reality is that there is no such thing as a neutral facilitator on any topic, let alone one that lends itself to strong opinions. I believe in the model we created and in my ability to uphold the spirit of the dialogue, which means that my goal would be to make sure each person has the opportunity to share their stories and each person leaves feeling heard. This is not the place where initiatives or laws are proposed. No decisions are being made and no agenda is put forward. I’m confident I could do the work required and that it would be an important part of informing the Council in its next steps on this topic. There are examples of cities across the country having successful outcomes related to the gun issue by using similar dialogue formats.) Thank you for your consideration and the care you show each day for the well-being of Kirkland. Sincerely, Debbie Lacy
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Bill & Becky Ballantine Williamballantine@msn. com Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, This is a worthwhile debate to have. There have been too many mass shootings (and one is too many) in this country of ours. We support Second Amendment rights but do believe education, screening & issuance of permits for specific types of high powered, automatic weapons be part of any platform going forward. Sincerely, Bill & Becky Ballantine
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Jan Young [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, As I marched with my college age daughter and thousands of others at the recent March for Our Lives in Seattle, I couldn't help but feel hopeful for stricter laws to minimize the national increase in gun violence. Walking alongside children, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, I also couldn't help feeling responsible for not being able to do more to protect those who have suffered as a result of a gunshot. One life lost is already one too many and so, it is with full support that I urge you to approve a resolution that would allow us to better protect our own residents. Some of the actions that could be taken under such a resolution would be similar to a new initiative being proposed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility
• Raise the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles to 21 (currently 18) • Enhance background checks for rifles to be the same as handguns • Require gun owners to take a firearms safety training course • Create standards for secure storage
I would also support a ban on possession, sale and re-sale of assault weapons, bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. The overwhelming majority, from all political parties, agree on the need for commonsense gun regulations. If Kirkland can start the ball rolling then perhaps we can work with our neighboring cities to also join in the efforts to keeping our communities safer. In order for gun regulations to work well, they need to be consistent between cities for clarity and ease of enforcement.
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One key to successfully garnering community support is to also have the backing of the city's law enforcement and Chief of Police. I would hope that Kirkland's law enforcement would be on board with this resolution as well and work closely with Council and community members. Thank you for your efforts on this matter and time. I look forward to passage of a resolution on May 1st. Sincerely, Jan Young Houghton resident and KirklandSafe member
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe James and Dianne O'Farrell [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the concerns that many people in Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington, are feeling right now. We are grandparents with grandkids in school today. We want to know that when our grandkids go off to school in the morning, they will be safe. But we also want them to be safe when we're at the drugstore, at the movies, and when they're playing at a friend's house. Guns are a right, but that right should not be unlimited. People who have guns should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request to make in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe. Sincerely, Jim and Dianne O'Farrell
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Colleen J. Clement [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Today I am not writing you to share a personal story of gun violence but rather to hopefully influence, in my small way, a change in how we address gun usage and safety in our society. This week I was literally stunned when I was I reminded that it has been almost 20 years since the tragic shootings at Columbine. I realized that babies born that year are now starting to have babies of their own....and nothing has changed. After the oh so recent devastating shootings at Parkland, I am passionately joining with the courageous youthful voices to proclaim, "Enough is Enough"! Now is the time for the adults in the room to take concrete actions to stop this violence. We cannot let another generation or even day pass, without doing something to address the fear, trauma and tragedy that gun violence causes us all. I therefore sincerely request your "yes" vote on the "Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety" that was proposed by Indivisible Kirkland and KirklandSafe. Thank you for your serious consideration and support of this resolution, which will initiate some very long over-due actions, to improve gun safety. Sincerely, Colleen J. Clement
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Terri Fletcher [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the resolution to save lives through gun safety. I do not have a personal story that I can relate to this issue, however I do feel that we have been fortunate in our community to not have experienced a Columbine, Sandy Hook or Parkland shooting. Let’s all work together to keeping our community safe. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Terri Fletcher
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Beth Lenholt [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. I have a number of friends who are teachers and they did not go into teaching in order to stand between an active shooter and their students. They do not want to be asked to carry a gun in school and possibly have to use. Gun ownership is a right, but it should be limited. I'd like to see assault rifles banned. I'd like to ensure that people with mental health issues cannot obtain guns. I'd like to see waiting periods for gun purchases and age limits on those who can purchase guns. In short, I'd like our community to have a sane and intelligent relationship with the 2nd amendment. Please vote to pass this resolution and work toward sane gun ownership laws. Sincerely, Beth Lenholt
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Sue Contreras [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. Kudos for moving ahead with this important effort. The City of Kirkland can be the trailblazer for our state in making a difference in new common sense gun legislation. Sincerely, Sue Contreras
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Sarah Richards [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 9803 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I ask that you please pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. As a mother, one of my primary concerns is the safety of my child, and this means dealing with the prevalence of guns in our society. When my child was young, I asked whether there were any guns in the home when he went on play dates. If there were, I made sure that they were safely locked away or we didn't go to that home. Now my son is a teenager and goes many places without me. I can choose to have a gun-free home, but I have little control outside the home. That's where I rely on laws to mitigate the risk from guns. That's why I'm asking you to pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. Thank you. Sincerely, Sarah Richards
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Jill Rand [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal will make our city safer and help ease the fears that many of us are feeling these days. I work in higher education and I want to know that my students and I are safe when we're on campus. And when we're at the mall, in our parks, and at local concerts and events. Right now, I'm going mostly on hope, not able to rely on strong gun safety measures. Anyone who wants to own a gun should have the responsibility to handle and store them safely and to prove that they are doing this. This is just common sense and yet it would go a long way to keeping our community safe. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe. Sincerely, Jill Rand
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Deborah Gandolfo [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Please vote for the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. Even though these are small steps, we must take any steps we can to prevent our children from being killed in school. If Kirkland leads the way, our hope is that other cities in the state will follow. Sincerely, Deborah Gandolfo
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Tanya Dimpsey [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, As the parent of school aged children and the spouse of an educator, I strongly support gun safety measures in Kirkland and the state of Washington. The time has long passed for lawmakers to stand up against the gun lobby to get common sense gun reform passed. After Sandy Hook and now Parkland, it is clear that we have to work community by community to make sure these senseless school shootings stop. I support any and all gun safety measures that help keep our kids, educators, and community members safe. Sincerely, Tanya Dimpsey
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Louise Pathe [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the fears that many people in Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington, are feeling right now. Although my daughters have long graduated from International Community School in Houghton, I want to know that when my neighbor's children go off to school in the morning, they will be safe. But I also want to be safe when I'm at the grocery store, in one of the beautiful Kirkland parks, or driving down the road. Guns are a right, but that right should not be unlimited. People who have guns should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request to make in order to protect everyone in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe. Sincerely, Louise Pathe
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Emily Voss [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the deep fear that so many in our community (and frankly, in our country) are facing right now. I am a parent with one kid in LWSD preschool right now and another starting in the fall. Both of my children are autistic and therefore at a higher risk during any kind of gun-related violence in their school. They will have less of an instinct to know what is happening, to be able to be quiet if necessary, to follow directions quickly and without question for their own safety. I don't like that I have to trust my children's teachers to put their own lives on the line if it should come to that, but unfortunately, as we've seen time and again in our country, that has been the difference between life and death for so many students. My kids deserve to feel safe at school. They're there to learn! But I also want them to feel safe when we're at the drugstore, at the movies, and when they're playing at a friend's house. Guns should not be more important than my children's right to safely get an education, to run errands around town with me, or more important than my children growing up and contributing their greatness to our community. People who have guns should absolutely have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This is an extremely reasonable request to make in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe. Thank you. Sincerely, Emily Voss
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Joshua Franklin [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am in first grade at Ben Franklin Elementary. I believe that guns should not be allowed in places where there are a lot of people. I don't want people to get hurt. I do not want kids to be near guns because it's dangerous. This means no guns in schools, at camps, in preschool, on playgrounds or on buses. I want everyone to be safe. Sincerely, Joshua Franklin
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Douglas Maxwell Taylor [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This resolution will make progress on issues that are deeply important to my family and start to address one of the big problems in this country. Sincerely, Doug Taylor
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Himani Naresh [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, We are all were horrified by the recent Parkland shooting. I would hate for something like that to happen in our lovely community. It clear that Washington DC is paralyzed to do anything. But we and you have the power to protect our kids. I am a mom with two kids in the LWSD and I would encourage you to pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe. Sincerely, Himani Naresh
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Sonia Dela Cruz [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Gun safety has become utmost importance in the last several years and the ways things have been done in the past just won't work anymore. This measure and plenty others are absolutely essential to educate, prevent, and change the behavior in the future. Please support this. Sincerely, Sonia Dela Cruz
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Laura Robinson [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing in full support of the proposed gun safety resolution. This is a great opportunity for Kirkland to support actions to make our community safer. Gun violence is something that destroys lives and damages families and communities. My cousin killed himself with a gun, and our family has never been the same since. I believe that if the gun had been removed from his possession after it became known that he was in psychological distress, he could have received help before taking his life. I also believe that there should be accountability and training involved with gun ownership. Many gun owners are responsible, but there is nothing to ensure that people safely handle and store their guns or to track their ownership. This endangers everyone. We need a comprehensive system to make sure that guns do not fall into the hands of children or criminals, or those who seek to harm themselves or others. Too many lives are lost in this country every year, needlessly, because guns are regulated inadequately. I hope that Kirkland will be part of the change that will save lives. There can be a balance that ensures people have a right to own guns, but that community safety is not compromised and lives are not lost. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Laura Robinson
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Barbara Ramey [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, This is my second email to you on the topic of gun safety. I have a son in middle school in the Lake Washington School District. Ever since Sandy Hook (when my son was also a first grader), we have had to have conversations at home with him that parents shouldn't have to have. Many of us in the community, parents and non-parents, seniors and Gen-X-ers, middle schoolers and teachers, want to stop the senseless gun violence that pervades our country. I am writing in support of Indivisible Kirkland's resolution. While it is broad and ambitious, I hope it gives you as a Council the community support you need to take whatever meaningful steps you can to reduce gun violence. Thank you for all you do. Sincerely, Barbara Ramey
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Marina Taylor [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the fears that many people in Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington, are feeling right now. I am a parent with young kids in the Lake Washington School District. I want to know that when I send my kids off to school in the morning, they will be safe. But I also want them to be safe when we're at the drugstore, at the movies, and when they're playing at a friend's house. Guns are a right, but that right should not be unlimited. People who have guns should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request to make in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe Sincerely, Marina Taylor
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Heather McKnight [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I'd like to share a poem with you: In my mind, I had a vision A vision of love, peace and harmony, A place where the grass is green and the skies are blue Where children can play at recess without fear Where there parents aren’t afraid A heaven where it is safe to fly A place where diseases are cured Where plagues don't begin A haven where people can walk and run and play Where bullets and shrapnel don't slay A rest from the bitter hatred and torrid lies Where truth sails high above the rest A place where people and ideas are tolerated Even if they aren't understood The place I seek may not be reality But why don't we make the world a safe place? Safe from guns and bombs used to take the lives of innocents Let me live to see the world Let me live on to see my promise fulfilled I wrote this poem 32 years ago as a high school student. This poem was written amidst the threat cold war nuclear annihilation, terrorist bombings, hijackings, the AIDS epidemic. What I felt was real and yet those fears were relatively abstract as I lived my life on a daily basis. Sadly, children are still afraid. Today's children live in fear of being gunned down while trying to learn. As an
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adult, I worry for my own safety, the safety of loved ones and ultimately, the safety of all human beings as we go about our daily lives. I implore members of the Kirkland City Council to vote 'yes' on a gun safety resolution and take real action to address this public safety imperative. For Kirkland to truly be a safe, welcoming and inclusive community, people actually need to feel safe. You have a great opportunity to lead and I hope you will take up the mantle for safe gun ownership and usage paving the way for Kirkland to be a model for other cities to emulate. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Heather McKnight Houghton Resident
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Dan Krehbiel [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I support and request that you please pass the resolution for responsible gun ownership. Guns are a right, but that right should not be unlimited. People who have guns should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request to make in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe Thanks for considering! Sincerely, Dan Krehbiel
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Emily Sorenson [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety.
I grew up in Australia and was in high school in 1996 when the government of Australia decided enough was enough, and brought in stricter gun control, and I am certain that it has made Australia a safer country. It goes without saying that people should be able to go about their daily lives without living in fear of gun violence. They should be able to go to school, to the movies, to the mall, to their neighbor's house, and be safe.
I have one child who goes to school here in Kirkland, in the Lake Washington School District, and next year my other child will join them. I want to know that they will be safe at school. It horrifies me that they have to do 'active shooter' drills at school, like there is an expectation that this scenario will happen during the course of their schooling. Guns can be dangerous and I believe that there need to be stricter laws in place to ensure the community is protected. I don't deny that people have a right to own firearms (though I do think there should also be restrictions on the type of weapon that can be owned), but those who do choose to own them should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request and not one that any person with commonsense or a sense of responsibility should find fault with. Thoughts and prayers are not enough: it is time for change. This proposal addresses the fears of many people in Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington.
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I urge you to please pass this important resolution to help keep my children, their friends and teachers, and the wider Kirkland community, safe. Sincerely, Emily Sorenson
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Vishal Manan [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the fears that many people in Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington, are feeling right now. I am a parent with young kids in the Lake Washington School District. I want to know that when I send my kids off to school in the morning, they will be safe. But I also want them to be safe when we're at the drugstore, at the movies, and when they're playing at a friend's house. Guns are a right, but that right should not be unlimited. People who have guns should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request to make in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe. Sincerely, Vishal Manan
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Wendy Zieve [email protected] Edmonds, Washington 98020 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Please vote for the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. My uncle was killed with his own gun when he pulled it to protect himself and an intruder grabbed it out of his hands and shot him with it. I am a friend of the family of Will Kramer - shot at a party with his high school friends and had to see 3 of his best friends die but he survived. We need to do something. Please be models for other communities. Sincerely, Wendy Zieve
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Andrea McBeth [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Please support common sense gun safety laws. No civilian needs a weapon of war, so an assault weapons ban is a no brainer. Also, serious universal background checks and an adequate wait time until purchase can prevent purchases of guns by those who should not have them. Sincerely, Andrea McBeth
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Greta Sorensen [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to request that you support the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. I am an elementary school substitute teacher. I’m retired from 30 plus years as a classroom teacher. Having to instruct young children how to be safe when someone may be on campus with a gun intent on harming teachers and children has been challenging and heartbreaking. Any steps we can take to shift this horrifying cycle is crucial. The longer we wait the worse this will get. Thank you for considering and hopefully passing this resolution. Sincerely, Greta Sorensen
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Nihal Fahim [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to ask that you pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the fears that many people in Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington, are feeling right now. As a parent of 3 young kids in the Lake Washington School District, I want to know that when I send my kids off to school in the morning, they will be safe. But I also want them to be safe when we’re at the drugstore, at the movies, and when they’re playing at a friend’s house. Guns are a right, but that right should not be unlimited. People who have guns should have to demonstrate that they will handle them responsibly and store them safely. This seems like a reasonable request to make in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Please pass this important resolution to help keep the Kirkland community safe Sincerely, Nihal Fahim
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Garth Riley [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to you today to ask that you please support the Gun Safety Resolution proposed by KirklandSafe and Indivisible Kirkland. As a middle school teacher, it saddens me deeply every time there is a mass shooting, particularly in a school. We are so dysfunctional as a society, it seems, when we seem to care more about a few individuals who want to purchase and use weapons that were designed purely to kill another human than the lives of every young person in the country who are at risk from those weapons. I am simply running out of ways to explain this to my students and trying to justify the inaction of adults to help them. This resolution gives me hope that the gun debate has finally turned an important corner. Supporting this resolution is a way to tell our young people that we value their lives and safety; that, whatever our differences happen to be regarding the scope of the 2nd amendment, we all care about children being able to go to school, be safe, and return home each day. I will always defend the lives of my students with my own. Always. But I stand in support of this resolution and any action that may someday mean I don't have to face down a gunman to fulfill that vow to my students. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Garth Riley
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Linda Leste [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Thank you so much for your service to the city of Kirkland. I know that you are all concerned about gun violence in our community as well as our country. I've been involved in the issue of gun violence since Sandy Hook and was particularly saddened about a year after Sandy Hook when right here in Kirkland the mom of a child in my son's class and a 13 year old at KiMS each committed suicide with guns in their households. Kirkland is very safe, but we can do better. Please support the proposed Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. Sincerely, Linda Leste
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Mary C. Wilson [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Please pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. It is reasonable/important to expect gun owners to show they can handle guns responsibly and store them safely. We must do whatever we can to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. Please pass this resolution to help keep our Kirkland community safe. Sincerely, Mary C. Wilson
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Shaune Troutman [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I strongly support the proposed resolution for gun safety awareness and action. As a former high school teacher, I witnessed the unsettling fears one has when doing lock down drills. I retired in 2001.....I can’t imagine what it is like today. Kirkland has always been progressive and a strong advocate for a healthy and wholesome community. This proposed resolution is the right step forward. Sincerely, Shaune Troutman
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Beatrice Calame [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, We must do something about the gun epidemic in our country. We need to start in our community. Thank you in advance for doing all you can. Sincerely, Beatrice Calame
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Peter Lewis [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Please vote yes on a resolution to support gun safety within Kirkland. This is a public safety issue and the public's safety should be the priority of any public official. Sincerely, Peter J. Lewis
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Elizabeth Standal [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I'm writing as a resident of Kirkland and as a teacher. Every day I worry about the effects of potential gun violence on my students and my neighbors. For the well-being of everyone in our community, please prioritize gun safety. The rights of gun owners should not be unlimited and should not take precedence over the rights of our children and our neighbors to safe schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. I support sensible measures such as universal background checks, de-escalation training for law enforcement officers, and restricting gun ownership to those aged 21 and older. Such measures are win-wins for all responsible members of our community. Sincerely, Elizabeth Standal
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Tracy Doering [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98034 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I fully support this resolution. Please make this a priority so that we don't end up with one of these horrific mass shootings taking place in one of our local schools. Our children have too great a burden to bear in taking on adult responsibilities because we adults have not done enough to protect them from gun violence. They are having their happy childhoods taken from them. It's far too important to our community not to take action that should have been taken long ago in communities across our country. Thank you. Sincerely, Tracy Doering
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Diane Charouhas [email protected] Kirkland, Washington 98033 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Thank you for your efforts to increase gun safety. My husband is a teacher. This is so sad for our children. Sincerely, Diane Charouhas
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe John Parent [email protected] Woodinville, Washington 98072 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, I am writing to strongly encourage you to pass the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. This proposal addresses the concerns that I and many other residents of Kirkland, King County and throughout the state of Washington have with regards to gun safety. I think passing this resolution would send a clear signal that every right needs to be exercised in a responsible manner including (and perhaps especially) the right of gun ownership. As a father I am particularly concerned about the harm to minors that results from irresponsible gun ownership and can imagine the devastation to families that results from the loss of a child through gun violence. I thank-you in advance for your leadership in this important matter. Sincerely, John Parent
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Lori Morisette [email protected] Bellevue, Washington 98004 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, Please vote for the Resolution to Save Lives through Gun Safety. I am a mom and a grandma. I have worked for Bellevue Schools for 30 years, with the last 25 in Special Needs Pre-school. I work with THE MOST vulnerable of our children and was recently required to take active shooter training. FOR PRE-SCHOOL!!!! My family owns and uses guns, and we were taught gun safety since we were very young. I don't currently have a gun in my home, nor would I consider carrying one to school, because of the young children around. But that shouldn't mean others can't. We are required to have licenses and registration to own and operate cars, boats, motorcycles and bicycles. We even need to register and license our pets. WHY NOT GUNS??? If an individual wants to purchase a gun for a legitimate purpose, they should not mind waiting for a background check. They should also be required to take a safety course, register their weapon, and have a license to operate it. Just like a person who has DUIs or other medical conditions is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle, so should the same be for guns. WHAT WILL IT TAKE??? WILL YOUR CHILD BE NEXT? Would THAT make a difference? If it were YOUR child who was shot and killed? Somebody needs to start somewhere. Please. For our children's sake. "Be the grown-up." Sincerely, Lori Morisette
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Indivisible Kirkland/KirklandSafe Eileen Casler [email protected] Woodinville, Washington 98072 April 15, 2018 Mayor Amy Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers City of Kirkland 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, Washington 98033 Dear Mayor Walen and Kirkland City Councilmembers, A number of years ago, I worked as a medical technologist at the largest blood bank in Colorado. With the city's main trauma center nearby, I was responsible for drawing blood from several gun shot victims with egregious wounds from bullets. Transfusions saved a few, but others bled out too quickly. Years later, the images of those victims are still in my head. I support the Kirkland City Council's efforts to commit time and resources to advocate for gun safety. The time is now, the momentum is with us, and Kirkland is a leader for change! Thank you for your consideration and willingness to BE the change we want to see in the world. Sincerely, Eileen R. Casler
