Washington Ceasefire

This afternoon there is more sad news out of Detroit -- seven young people shot as they waited for the bus after a summer school session. 

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Yesterday Governor Christine Gregoire HB 1498 into law. The bill which passed nearly unanimously in the legislature, will bring WA state law into conformity with federal law by prohibiting firearm possession if an individual is involuntarily committed by a court for a period of up to 14 days.  The new law will ensure that the approximately 4,000 Washington residents who are found by a court to be at risk of self-harm or to harm others will be unable to possess a firearm until they have successfully managed their condition.

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All through twitter-land today the same words keep coming up -- it's hard to believe that it's been ten years.  In article after article, blog after blog, we all try to ascertain just how and why such a tragedy happened at Columbine and why it has continued to happen since.  There are many factors that contribute to why and how such a horrific day transpires, but what we know for sure is that if the two shooters had not had easy access to guns it would have been much harder.  Today is a day to reflect on what we must do to prevent future tragedies and remember the nearly 10,000 America

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Today the Washington State Senate passed the first piece of gun violence prevention legislation in over two decades by a vote of 39-1. The bill, HB 1498, which passed in the House unanimously last month, will bring WA state law into conformity with federal law by prohibiting firearm possession if an individual is involuntarily committed by a court for a period of up to 14 days.

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Before President Obama publishes his budget we wanted to urge him to make good on his promise to us to strike the Tiahrt Amendment from the budget.  Here's what I wrote:

February 20, 2009

Dear President Obama:

I write to you on behalf of the members of Washington CeaseFire, a non-profit organization in Washington State working to reduce gun violence.

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Yesterday in the small town of Alger six more lives were lost.  Two others will live to tell their stories.  And families and a community will be forever changed.  I wish it were an unfamiliar story.

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Today, on the same day most children in Western Washington headed out for their first day of school, the Seattle P-I ran a story detailing the ease with which our young people can gain access to firearms.  How is it possible that we have arrived at a point at which our young people find it easier to buy a firearm than a car?

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Let's face it, the topic of suicide is generally uncomfortable. Like firearm violence, it is often considered something that happens to someone else, or someone else's family. The reality is that suicide is very prevalent in our communities -- especially here in the Pacific Northwest. And, it's an issue that is closely tied to firearm storage and firearm safety. Over the years, research has consistently shown that suicide is an impulsive decision, and can be prevented. Access to firearms or a convenient method increases the likelihood that the impulse will actually be carried out.

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In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s historic decision on the 2nd Amendment, many people have been asking me, “What is the road ahead?” I’m sure many of you are asking the same question.

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A comment on NPR’s Talk of the Nation Blog on the DC Gun Ban Case reads, “12 years ago my 16 year old brother discovered a gun at a friend's home which was unlocked, loaded and barely hidden. Later he stole that gun and used it to end his own life.”

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