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Updated Oct 15, 2009 - 11:11 am

New Seattle gun restrictions take effect

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MyNorthwest.com Staff

A controversial new rule prohibiting the possession of firearms in areas where children are present went into effect in Seattle Wednesday.

"When children and families visit a Seattle Parks and Recreation pool, playground, community center or other facility, they are entitled to a reasonable expectation of safety," Mayor Greg Nickels said in a news release.

Firearms are also prohibited from sports fields and courts, beaches, skateparks, and golf courses.

In a live interview on the KIRO Morning News on Thursday Nickels said he expects someone will sue the city over the restrictions, "We worked long and hard to make sure that is is something that will pass legal muster."

Guns will only be prohibited after signs are posted at the facilities notifying people of the new rule. The signs will be posted in phases, beginning with South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave. S; Garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St.; and Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave. N.

All facilities will be have signs posted by December 1.

-26 community centers
-four environmental learning centers
-10 pools
-30 wading pools and water play areas
-two small craft centers
-two specialized facilities (tennis center, performing arts center)
-139 playgrounds and play areas
-213 ballfields
-six late night recreation sites
-three teen life centers
-82 outdoor tennis and basketball courts
-two skateparks
-five golf courses
-nine swimming beaches

Mayor Nickels proposed changing the rules in public places after three people were shot at Northwest Folklife Festival 2008. The suspect had a concealed weapons permit and a history of mental illness.

The city also introduced a policy requiring organizations that lease city property to take steps to prohibit guns during special events.


Comments (50)
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  • Joeh wrote...
    Seattle
    What the jell is the matter with Seattle? It used to have PEOPLE WITH COMMON SENSE! Now the clowns are in charge.
    October 14, 2009 4:01 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • jpetro wrote...
    Entitled to a reasonable
    expectation of safety?? How about when some whack job starts shooting at one of these places? My expectation is to protect my family and SHOOT BACK !!!! I agree Joeh, a bunch of clowns, with Nickels in the lead....
    October 14, 2009 4:10 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • pauli wrote...
    Safe for Who?
    My idea of safety is the right to carry a gun. Do people honestly think that people who can carry a gun legally in public are the ones to worry about?
    October 14, 2009 4:11 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • Pezc0re wrote...
    What a joke
    All of the area above are going to be safe havens for the "bad guys" that don't give a hoot about the gun laws anyway... what a Joke Seattle and Nickels are... Also, I thought a City did not have the privilege to restrict a Citizens RIGHTS...
    October 14, 2009 4:13 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • Brandon_P wrote...
    Make a Thug Happy!
    Yo! Its so much easier and safer to jack rich Mofers if you know they don't got a Gat, G-Dawg! You just walk up next to some rich looking dude and all you have to do is show the Fool the Gat and them weak-as fools pay out like a walking ATM!! Ya Dawg, we going to be living it up in the Club!!
    October 14, 2009 4:20 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • chazz wrote...
    December 1st....Thug Day!!!
    So can anyone give me an explaination of what I am to do when I get robbed at gunpoint by crimanals who do not obay laws?
    October 14, 2009 4:23 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • Jay S. wrote...
    If I'm not mistaken...
    it's already illegal to shoot at people except in very rare circumstances. So, if people are willing to break that LAW - why wouldn't that just break this wimpy RULE?
    October 14, 2009 4:25 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • roomtemp wrote...
    Attention... Violent Criminals.
    You are now free to intimidate, harass, and commit various acts of violence against the citizenry. This activity should be confined to areas such as parks, beaches, community centers, etc. We are working on legislation that will clear the way for violence against the citizens while in their homes, but this is predicted to take somewhat longer. Meanwhile, please be patient and confine your assaults to the designated areas. Faithfully Ours, Seattle City Council.
    October 14, 2009 4:26 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • gomariners wrote...
    huh
    I thought the WA State AG said this was not legal and that it couldn't be done?
    October 14, 2009 4:35 pm
    Report this as abuse
  • mytwocents wrote...
    *** LAWSUIT *** Here we COME.....

    PLEASE let me know who is ready to submit a lawsuit against the City of Seattle, the Seattle City Council, and the current Mayor of Seattle.

    I want in on a piece of this one. We WILL WIN the lawsuit and be able to purchase more guns with the monies of the tax-payers of the Seattle…..

    Oh, what fun.

    October 14, 2009 4:37 pm
    Report this as abuse


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