Over 100 Seattle businesses sign up for ‘Gun Free Zone’

At the rate of nearly one per day, over 100 businesses in Seattle have signed up to be a part of the city’s “Gun Free Zone” program since it launched in August.

“In the face of inaction at the federal level on gun control laws, in the face of inaction at the state level on gun control laws, this is an opportunity for businesses, individuals in a community, to take action themselves,” Mayor Mike McGinn said at a news conference on Thursday.

Participating businesses have placed a “Gun Free Zone” decal in the window. Police could consider a visitor who violates the rule a trespasser.

A full list of businesses can be found at www.washingtonceasefire.org

“Thank you to these businesses for partnering with Washington CeaseFire to change the culture of gun violence in our city,” said McGinn.

McGinn and Washington CeaseFire President Ralph Fascitelli say the program has become a national model and they’ve received inqueries from other cities and states asking for advice on how to launch their own “Gun Free Zone.”