WHEREAS in Washington State, between 1989 and 1998, there were 5,950 residents killed by firearms including 704 children less than 20 years old, and

WHEREAS an additional 4,095 Washington residents were hospitalized for nonfatal firearm injuries for the same years; and

WHEREAS according to the 1998 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, there are firearms present in 702,911 households in Washington State including 436,212 handguns; and

WHEREAS according to the same survey, there are an estimated 94,161 loaded and unlocked firearms in households in Washington State; and

WHEREAS an estimated 21,222 children under 18 live in homes in Washington State where firearms are loaded and unlocked, posing significant risk to the public’s health and safety, and

WHEREAS 165 children aged 15 and under were hospitalized due to unintentional gun injuries between 1989 and 1998 in Washington, and 24 children under 14 died from unintentional gun injuries during the same time period, and

WHEREAS 35 children aged 10 –14 and 275 aged 15 – 19 committed suicide by firearms during the same time period, and

WHEREAS United States Attorney General Janet Reno has proclaimed that "We can end violence if we as individuals, as communities, and as a nation decide not to condone it and not to remain passive,"

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Public Health Association supports the First Monday 2000 effort to reduce gun violence by supporting public awareness programs in communities throughout Washington that lead to informed decisions and discussions around firearms issues; and

FURTHER, that WSPHA supports common sense gun legislation to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and children, and public health programs that promote examination of the risks associated with firearms ownership and that educate gun owners about safe storage of firearms.

Signed by: Frank Westrum, WSPHA President