The Mercer Island City Council is to be commended for their well-considered and compassionate response to those people who advocated Tuesday evening for support for Initiative I-594. I am a member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and I was heartened and moved by the eloquent speakers who presented their case to the council and by the subsequent discussion that ensued. With the exception of two council members who presented their opposing views, there was a unified and dignified response and now we can proudly say that our Mercer Island City Council is on board in their support for ethical, rational and constitutionally sound legislation that will help make our community and our state a safer place for all. Thank you to our council for listening and for your vote to join our cause. Your thoughtful remarks and inherent integrity deeply impressed this Mercer Islander.

Linda Stoulil

Kudos to City Council

I would like to commend the Mercer Island City Council for its endorsement of Initiative 594 after a public hearing at their council meeting on Sept. 2, 2014. The council listened intently as a large and diverse group of Islanders told their stories and expressed their concerns about the problem of gun violence in local communities, and spoke in support of I-594 as a way to improve public safety.

Currently, only those buying guns from licensed gun dealers are required to undergo background checks in Washington State. This loophole makes it easy for felons and other prohibited individuals to evade background checks by buying firearms from unlicensed dealers at gun shows, online, or in other private transactions with no questions asked. I-594 would close that loophole.

Impressive statistics available from sources such as the FBI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives show that in states that have adopted comprehensive background checks, there have been significant decreases in gun crimes. These include reductions in aggravated assaults with firearms, women shot to death by intimate partners, police officers killed with handguns, and firearm suicides.

I am proud that our local officials have stepped forward to validate their constituents’ concerns by endorsing I-594. Gun crime affects local communities, as has been so tragically obvious of late. Fewer guns in the wrong hands will make us all safer. Vote YES on I-594 on your November ballot.

Janet Kranz

Welcome action on I-594

Thank you Mercer Island City Council for your vote to formally endorse Initiative 594, the Background Checks for the purchase of all gun sales in the State of Washington.

I believe your action will encourage the Mercer Island public to vote for this important initiative.

Dr. Bob Lewis