Blogs

The Fantasy World of "More Guns=Less Crimes"

Huffington Post Op-Ed by Dennis A. Henigan

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Happiness is a worn gun: My concealed weapon and me

An article appearing in this month's issue of Harper's Magazine (August 2010), available online to subscribers of the magazine.
Happiness is a worn gun:
My concealed weapon and me

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Sammamish park shooting underlines need for gun control

Two people were killed and four injured at a shooting earlier this month at Lake Sammamish State Park. Guest columnist Ralph Fascitelli argues the Legislature should increase gun-control measures to avoid similar incidents.
By Ralph Fascitelli

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Starbucks’ Open Carry Policy Becomes Fodder for Comedians

 

Peet’s Coffee & Tea and the California Pizza Kitchen chose to adopt a ban on the open carry of firearms in their establishments, due to the outstanding number of complaints from their loyal patrons.  The open display of firearms makes people uncomfortable and invokes a sense of fear in a place that should make you feel welcome and safe to be able to enjoy the atmosphere and services the business offers. 

 

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“Guns and Starbucks” Espresso Shots not Gun Shots - Press Conference

Speakers

  • Ralph Fascitelli, President Washington CeaseFire
  • Heidi Yewman, The Million Mom March
  • Brian Malte, Director, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

March 3, 2010

10:30 am - 11:30 am PST

Victor Steinbrueck Park, Seattle WA

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Letter to Starbucks on Open Carry Petition

 Below is a letter written by the Washington Ceasefire Board that will be sent to Mr. Howard Schultz, Founder and CEO of Starbucks. Washington Ceasefire urges you to please write a letter to Starbucks urging them to take a stand and claim its stores to be gun free zones.  Please forward this email to friends and family to help us spread the word.   

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Tell Starbucks: Offer espresso shots, not gunshots

 Washington Ceasefire sent an email out last week to all its members on behalf of the Brady Campaign.  

"Over the past few months, more and more gun owners have been gathering at restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks with guns strapped to their hips, intimidating fellow patrons.1

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Police Chiefs Call for a State Ban

Larry Simoneaux’s Dec. 28 column on assault weapons overlooks a key point. (“Enforce gun laws on books already before passing more.”)

Many semi-automatic assault rifles on the market today can be easily converted to fully automatic operation with minor after-market modifications, and are often purchased with that purpose in mind.

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Coalition Announces Push for State Ban on Military Assault Weapons

Bill Calls for Ban to Honor Slain African American Youth and Protect Police

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Washington CeaseFire Endorses Dow Constantine for King County Executive -- Citizen Activist Group Touts His County Experience an

August 5, 2009 - Seattle, WA - Washington Ceasefire, the statewide citizen activist group
dedicated to reducing gun violence, announced today its endorsement of Dow Constantine for
King County Executive.

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URGENT -- CALL SENATORS MURRAY AND CANTWELL TODAY

On Wednesday the Senate will vote on an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that would force Washington state to allow individuals from other states to carry concealed weapons here in Washington.  The legislation could increase the number of people carrying concealed guns in public. 

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Hold on to your Holsters . . .

Gun rights advocates pushing for more guns in public. . .

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Seven Youth Shot Outside of Detroit School

This afternoon there is more sad news out of Detroit -- seven young people shot as they waited for the bus after a summer school session. 

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Governor Signs Law to Save Lives

Yesterday Governor Christine Gregoire HB 1498 into law. The bill which passed nearly unanimously in the legislature, will bring WA state law into conformity with federal law by prohibiting firearm possession if an individual is involuntarily committed by a court for a period of up to 14 days.  The new law will ensure that the approximately 4,000 Washington residents who are found by a court to be at risk of self-harm or to harm others will be unable to possess a firearm until they have successfully managed their condition.

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Columbine Remembered

All through twitter-land today the same words keep coming up -- it's hard to believe that it's been ten years.  In article after article, blog after blog, we all try to ascertain just how and why such a tragedy happened at Columbine and why it has continued to happen since.  There are many factors that contribute to why and how such a horrific day transpires, but what we know for sure

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Washington State Legislature Passes Life-Saving Bill

Today the Washington State Senate passed the first piece of gun violence prevention legislation in over two decades by a vote of 39-1. The bill, HB 1498, which passed in the House unanimously last month, will bring WA state law into conformity with federal law by prohibiting firearm possession if an individual is involuntarily committed by a court for a period of up to 14 days.

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CeaseFire Urges President Obama to Support Gun Tracing

Before President Obama publishes his budget we wanted to urge him to make good on his promise to us to strike the Tiahrt Amendment from the budget.  Here's what I wrote:

February 20, 2009

Dear President Obama:

I write to you on behalf of the members of Washington CeaseFire, a non-profit organization in Washington State working to reduce gun violence.

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Another Tragedy in Skagit County

Yesterday in the small town of Alger six more lives were lost.  Two others will live to tell their stories.  And families and a community will be forever changed.  I wish it were an unfamiliar story.

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Teens Say Firearms are Easy to Find

Today, on the same day most children in Western Washington headed out for their first day of school, the Seattle P-I ran a story detailing the ease with which our young people can gain access to firearms.  How is it possible that we have arrived at a point at which our young people fi

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It May Just be the Bridge or the Gun

Let's face it, the topic of suicide is generally uncomfortable. Like firearm violence, it is often considered something that happens to someone else, or someone else's family. The reality is that suicide is very prevalent in our communities -- especially here in the Pacific Northwest. And, it's an issue that is closely tied to firearm storage and firearm safety.

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