Washington State’s Failed Gun Control Leaves Some Seattle Residents Scrambling for Protection

Washington state lawmakers have passed a steady stream of gun control legislation in recent years, including waiting periods, “red flag” laws, universal background checks, and bans on “high capacity” ammunition magazines and so-called assault weapons. Despite those restrictions, or maybe even because of them, residents in one Seattle neighborhood say crime has become so bad that they’ve been forced to take dramatic steps in an attempt to keep criminals at bay. 

Folks who live on or near Aurora Avenue complain that drug dealing, prostitution, and shootings in the area are out of control. Despite pleas to city officials begging for help, some residents say authorities have been silent. Now they’re taking matters into their own hands. 

 Neighbors expressed deep frustration with local leaders, stating they have reached out to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s office, the City Council, and the Seattle Police Department to little avail.

“What we’ve gotten is a lot of nothing,” a resident remarked. “It’s terrifying to live here, and it’s even more terrifying that the city is absolutely doing nothing to protect the citizens in this neighborhood.”

Frustrated by the perceived lack of city response, some community members took matters into their own hands by erecting makeshift barriers. Although the initial barriers were quickly vandalized, neighbors rebuilt them with stronger reinforcements. Near the structures, a hand-drawn chalk picture carries a stark message: “No Gunfire.”

“We’re just afraid that a neighbor is going to have to die before the city will do something,” another resident added.

I feel for the folks living in the neighborhood, but let’s be honest. A sign that reads “no gunfire” is going to be as effective at stopping shootings as a sign that says “no guns allowed” is at keeping firearms out of a particular location. What these residents need from the city is effective enforcement of existing laws prohibiting drug dealing, sex trafficking, aggravated assault, and other crimes. And if city leaders refuse to crack down on crime, these residents should be exercising their Second Amendment rights in addition to the First Amendment right to petition their government for a redress of their grievances. 

After the local Fox affiliate reached out to the mayor’s office for comment, they received a statement that the Seattle PD is sending it’s “Gun Violence Reduction Unit” to the neighborhood, as well as increasing late-night patrols on Aurora Avenue. 

While the Mayor’s Office stated these immediate steps are underway, they acknowledged that these steps along are not enough and that “long-term public safety also means supporting community-led solutions, addressing chronic issues that contribute to violence, and making sure residents feel heard and supported. This work is ongoing, and the City remains committed to working alongside the community to improve safety and quality of life along Aurora.”

One of the chronic issues that’s contributing to the violence is the legislature’s myopic focus on going after lawful gun ownership instead of cracking down on criminal activity. Washington’s firearm preemption law has limited what Seattle politicians can impose on their own, but the city’s tax on firearms and ammunition has driven most FFLs out of Seattle, which does make it more difficult for residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights. 

The SPD’s targeted deterrence approach to crime in the neighborhood could help, but if the small number of individuals who are responsible for these violent crimes are just put back onto the streets without any real consequences from the city’s uber-left criminal justice system then residents around Aurora Avenue aren’t going to see much of a difference. 

Editor’s Note: The radical Left will stop at nothing to enact their radical gun control agenda and strip us of our Second Amendment rights.

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