Following a fatal Sunday shooting at the Seattle Center, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued a statement arguing that the city is facing a crime issue rather than a gun issue.
The shooting prompted a hours-long press briefing delay while authorities cited safety concerns. Police initially described one suspect as a “young person.” Officials later confirmed that a 15-year-old suspect had been taken into custody 17 hours after the event, and that a second shooter remains at large. Police recovered two firearms at the scene.
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Executive Director Andrew Gottlieb criticized the official response and the delayed release of details regarding the minor’s age.
“It took 17 hours for police to acknowledge the suspect they had in custody is only 15 years old,” Gottlieb said. “And then Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes talked about ‘small groups’ and not much about gangs. I’m sorry, but that sounds like political correctness rather than candor. He also said there was a second shooter, whom they are trying to identify. He is not in custody.”
During their public remarks, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Police Chief Barnes repeatedly addressed “gun violence” and outlined efforts focused on gun violence reduction. Gottlieb argued that framing the issue around firearms misplaces responsibility and overlooks existing laws regarding juvenile handgun possession.
“Mayor Wilson must have used the term ‘gun violence’ more than a half-dozen times during her remarks,” Gottlieb said. “Chief Barnes used it at least ten times. All that does is demonize guns when the real culprit here is apparently a teenager who legally could not be carrying a handgun.”
Gottlieb added that public safety discussions should focus on violent crime generally, pointing to reports on the Seattle Police Blotter that include both shootings and stabbings. He raised questions about how the firearms involved in the incident were obtained.
“The public has a right to know the source of the two guns recovered at the scene,” Gottlieb noted. “It is clear the teenage suspect didn’t legally buy the gun he allegedly used. The other gun recovered by police, allegedly used by another shooter, may have also been obtained illicitly. So far, that apparently hasn’t been determined.”
Addressing proposed policy approaches, Gottlieb expressed concern that city initiatives could lead to restrictions targeting legal gun owners rather than perpetrators of crime. He pointed out that there are roughly 112,500 active concealed pistol license holders in King County.
“Mayor Wilson and Chief Barnes repeatedly mentioned efforts to reduce ‘gun violence,'” Gottlieb said. “That typically translates to more gun control measures against law-abiding adults including the 112,500 King County residents who have valid concealed pistol licenses. They haven’t hurt anybody. Yet, instead of acknowledging that the problem is with criminals, including juveniles whose parents should be asked why their kid is at the Seattle Center shooting people, we hear about something called ‘gun violence reduction.’ But you’re not going to reduce gun-related violence by penalizing the wrong people, and Seattle’s leaders must keep that in mind.”
Law enforcement investigations into the incident and the search for the second identified shooter remain ongoing.
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