FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/8/2015
Statement on Burgess proposal on firearms and ammunition tax
SEATTLE – Mayor Ed Murray issued the following statement after Councilmember Tim Burgess unveiled his proposal for a tax on firearms and ammunition sales to fund gun violence prevention efforts:
“Every year in Seattle gun violence devastates hundreds of lives – both the victims of murders, assaults and suicides, as well as the family members struggling to make sense of the devastation. While high-profile incidents attract national attention from time to time, tragedies unfold in our community far too often. Our community will not stand by as our youth, particularly youth of color, continue to pay the highest price for inaction on gun violence at the national and state level.
“I want to thank Councilmember Burgess for his leadership. This proposal provides critical funding for gun violence research and prevention. We will have more resources to support youth education and other efforts that we know help prevent guns violence in our streets. For too long, we have had insufficient research and data on gun violence in Seattle to help guide our response.
“We know the people of Seattle demand action on this issue, not more talk. Last year at the ballot box, voters approved greater accountability in background checks for gun sales. This proposal builds on that momentum by funding more tools to reduce the devastating impacts that guns have on our community.”
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