State lawmakers question plans for Seattle gun ban

By Associated Press

Summary

Several state lawmakers are questioning Seattle's plans for stricter gun controls, and they want to know if state Attorney General Rob McKenna believes the restrictions would be legal.

Story Published: Jun 30, 2008 at 5:09 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:29 PM PST

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Several state lawmakers are questioning Seattle's plans for stricter gun controls, and they want to know if state Attorney General Rob McKenna believes the restrictions would be legal.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels recently announced plans to ban guns on city property, after two bystanders were wounded by gunfire at a May festival.

But a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling says Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting.

Rep. Kevin Van de Wege of Sequim is one of six Democrats who requested an attorney general's legal opinion. He says it's important to know whether the Seattle plan would be pre-empted by state or federal law.

Fourteen Republican lawmakers have also separately requested McKenna's opinion. An attorney general's opinion gives state officials detailed legal analysis, but isn't legally binding.

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