mcginn.jpg
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn Friday urged lawmakers to close the so-called "Gun Show Loophole," which allows some weapons to be bought without a license and proper paperwork. (AP image)

Seattle mayor calls for tightened gun controls in wake of shooting

BY Brandi Kruse  on December 14, 2012 @ 4:55 pm (Updated: 5:12 pm - 12/14/12 )

Seattle city leaders held a press conference Friday afternoon to call for tighter gun controls in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

Mayor Mike McGinn called the massacre a "tragedy beyond words," and asked the state legislature to respond with meaningful reforms.

He urged lawmakers to close the so-called "Gun Show Loophole," which allows some weapons to be bought without a license or proper paperwork.

"They could give us more authority in the city to take action, and we have asked for that authority," he added. "They could fund, instead of as they've been doing, cutting funding for support for those that are mentally ill or unstable."

Mayor McGinn was joined by Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, who said his officers are trained annually to respond to mass shootings.

"It's unfortunate that we in law enforcement have to train the way we do each year on rapid intervention," he said. "We have to be ready in case a situation like this occurs."

Chief Diaz echoed Mayor McGinn in calling for tighter gun controls, saying the country's "gun culture" needs to change.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (17)


  • Add A Comment

  • Snout wrote...
    Of course he did.
    December 14, 2012 4:41 pm
    What a dolt. I can abide liberals to some extent. But this guy is a moron. He's like the dog who can't help the restless leg thing when you pet them in a certain spot. The low hanging fruit comes along and the mayor starts his dance. Pavlov would be proud, Mister Mayor.
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  • Chrisfrommv wrote...
    another Knee jerk.
    December 14, 2012 4:49 pm
    And more gun control will help how? This kid was mentally disabled and under 21, two laws that would prevent him from carring handguns. He walked into a school, a place where only law enforcement are allowed to carry. I feel terrible anguish for the families of this horrible trajedy, and utter discust for those who would turn this trajedy into a highlight for their political agenda. I understand I maybe viewed as a hypocrite for this statement...
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  • MagneticPatriot wrote...
    We all know criminals will obey gun control laws...
    December 14, 2012 5:02 pm
    If a person wants to commit a crime they will! Anyone reading this can get a handgun, rifle or shotgun on Craigslist today for sale or trade without questions. So stricter gun control will only create more victims and not end tragedy like what happened today.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    A new law
    December 14, 2012 8:02 pm
    That's all liberals have. The 2nd amendment was to insure the government fears the citizenry- guv fears us less and less. What do you think will happen if we aren't armed?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    It's a tough issue
    December 14, 2012 8:15 pm
    And the Mayor needs to take a stance. Like him or not, there has to be a tougher regulatory stance on assault weapons in Seattle. It will not end the random violence that happened today on Conn. Who in the world needs an assault weapon, other than law enforcement? I am a supporter of the right to bear arms to defend family and country and so on, but to have an arsenal of high powered firearms is beyond the need to protect one's family.
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  • Chrisfrommv wrote...
    longway
    December 14, 2012 10:17 pm
    keep in mind rifles(shot-guns and hunting rifles included) are used in less then >3% of all gun related incidents including home defense and police actions. I think it was something like 17,000 gun incidents last year and only 378 of those involved rifles/shotguns. High power rifles are too cumbersome and unconcealable for most criminals. Also the shooter in this instance used handguns (he was not legally allowed to have) Second a true "assult rifle" is a class 3 weapon. In order to get one you must file with the ATF pass the checks and wait about 6mo right now. plus they aren't cheep (M16's go for around $12-$16,000)
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  • imanegro wrote...
    Here's a stance
    December 15, 2012 6:42 am
    Arm teachers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • YoGram wrote...
    Elementary School Episode
    December 14, 2012 9:29 pm
    We have taken God, morality, discipline, responsibility and respect out of the classroom, the home, our cities and our Nation, beginning in the White House. Just what did everyone expect would happen? Had the teachers been armed, they could have greatly minimized the risk. How about the man who killed 22 children today in China with a knife. Criminals and crazy people determined to do harm to others will find a way, no matter how many useless laws politicians pass. An armed society is a polite and safe society.
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  • imanegro wrote...
    along with YoGram
    December 15, 2012 6:46 am
    CT has the 4 toughest gun laws in the country and yet Sandy Hook happened. Freedom requires virtue.
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  • Howdy wrote...
    leave it to sleazy politicians...
    December 15, 2012 8:09 am
    like Mike (and many others) to turn a tragedy into an opportunity.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hawks$life wrote...
    This isn't about gun control...
    December 15, 2012 9:52 am
    This is about psychiatric control. We should be talking about making it harder to buy a vehicle or alcohol when we have over 10,000 alcohol related vehicle fatalities annually, including over 1,200 ages 0-14.
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  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Way to politicize the deaths of innocent 5 yr olds you PO5.
    December 15, 2012 2:06 pm
    You have no soul, "MR MAYOR".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    This is about psychiatric control.
    December 15, 2012 2:10 pm
    Exactly. I can tell you from experience; There are so many "crazies" amongst you all, you have no idea. I remember the good old days; of high walls, padded rooms and straight jackets. But then the libs got into power and that became politically incorrect. The left demanded crazies become "parts of society". Of course they all don't have to deal with them; others do and it's messy. Then when this happens, they don't blame themselves. They blame guns. So outlaw guns and someone like this will set a school on fire or blow it up.
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