Gun owners in the state of Washington scored a victory Monday after the City of Edmonds attempted to enforce an unconstitutional ordinance requiring residents to keep their firearms locked at all times. The ordinance would also hold them liable if a another party was able to access their guns.
With help of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Second Amendment Foundation, gun owners argued before the State Court of Appeals that state law prevents local jurisdictions from making regulations that are more restrictive than state law.
The court sided with the gun-owners, striking down Edmonds’ unconstitutional ordinances. "Hopefully jurisdictions like Edmonds will realize that violating the Washington state constitution is neither legal nor in the best interest of personal protection," said Lars Dalseide, an NRA spokesperson.
The court’s ruling is "an important victory for the people of Washington," said Dalseide.
"My reaction is one of relief. It’s nice to see the rule of law still matters," said Brett Bass, a resident who challenged the city law, to the HeraldNet.
Members of Edmonds City Council showed distaste for the court’s ruling, claiming the ordinance had the potential to save a child’s life.
"We’re looking at the ruling and what we’re going to do next." said Councilwoman Adrienne Fraley-Monillas. "Any time you lose in court it is a disappointment. If this ordinance may have saved a child’s life because a parent locked away a gun it is worth it."
The court’s ruling hasn’t stopped the City of Edmonds from continuing their efforts to pursue gun safety measures. Mayor Mike Nelson, who drafted the ordinance when he served as Council President, issued a statement Monday informing Edmonds’ residents that the city will continue to pursue 'life-saving' safety measures.
"In Edmonds, three years ago a 16-year-old playing Russian roulette shot and killed a 17-year-old girl. This month a 13-year-old boy in Auburn shot his 15-year-old sister while playing with a gun," he said. "There is no dispute that safe storage of firearms saves lives."
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