In wake of fatal shootings, Seattle leaders mull tougher gun laws
»Play Video
SEATTLE -- In the wake of last week's horrific violence, some Seattle city leaders are calling for tougher gun laws. But the father of the killer says current laws are fine and police need to do a better job enforcing them.
Ian Stawicki shot six people last week -- killing five of them -- with a pair of guns he legally owned. Now the Seattle City Council is trying to decide if the city needs tougher rules for fire arms.
As it stands, Seattle can't pass gun laws that are more restrictive than the state laws already on the books. But last week's violence has spurred some leaders to make changes.
Walter Stawicki has been receiving cards and letters all week from people who remember his son, Ian, from happier times.
"He was kind and thoughtful, and old fashioned in the nicest ways," Walter said.
Ian Stawicki was never diagnosed with mental illness and was therefore legally able to buy his guns. But his dad said he'd been sick for years.
"So he started having a fantasy history of himself. Military involvement, hit squads, terrible things, the babies we kill," Walter said.
He insists his son's past arrests for domestic violence were separate from his mental health issues.
"We recognized it," he said. "We saw things coming. We didn't see violence coming."
Police and city leaders are taking a different approach. Based on Stawicki's killing spree and other recent murders, Councilman Bruce Harrell is considering stronger gun laws in the city.
"We're not trying to defeat the Second Amendment advocates. We're not trying to refute anyone's right to bear arms," Harrell said. "We're just asking the question, are we at an unprecedented level of gun violence and now should our laws change?"
Ideas range from banning large ammunition clips to not honoring concealed weapons permits from other states.
It's been an unusually violent year in Seattle. Twenty-one people have been killed in the city so far this year with only seven arrests made, not counting two cases that were cleared.
While security is a concern, some people feel more guns aren't the answer.
"All my life I've been able to protect myself. I've been able to provide security to all the people that were around me that I loved. I've been in those places and I've never needed a gun," said Jack Smith.
Walter Stawicki said gun laws aren't the problem.
"There are enough gun laws," he said. "Enforce them. Get enough people out there doing the damn job of enforcing them."
City leaders are going to brainstorm a wish list of gun control ideas before reconvening later this month to talk about presenting their ideas to the state legislature.
Ian Stawicki shot six people last week -- killing five of them -- with a pair of guns he legally owned. Now the Seattle City Council is trying to decide if the city needs tougher rules for fire arms.
As it stands, Seattle can't pass gun laws that are more restrictive than the state laws already on the books. But last week's violence has spurred some leaders to make changes.
Walter Stawicki has been receiving cards and letters all week from people who remember his son, Ian, from happier times.
"He was kind and thoughtful, and old fashioned in the nicest ways," Walter said.
Ian Stawicki was never diagnosed with mental illness and was therefore legally able to buy his guns. But his dad said he'd been sick for years.
"So he started having a fantasy history of himself. Military involvement, hit squads, terrible things, the babies we kill," Walter said.
He insists his son's past arrests for domestic violence were separate from his mental health issues.
"We recognized it," he said. "We saw things coming. We didn't see violence coming."
Police and city leaders are taking a different approach. Based on Stawicki's killing spree and other recent murders, Councilman Bruce Harrell is considering stronger gun laws in the city.
"We're not trying to defeat the Second Amendment advocates. We're not trying to refute anyone's right to bear arms," Harrell said. "We're just asking the question, are we at an unprecedented level of gun violence and now should our laws change?"
Ideas range from banning large ammunition clips to not honoring concealed weapons permits from other states.
It's been an unusually violent year in Seattle. Twenty-one people have been killed in the city so far this year with only seven arrests made, not counting two cases that were cleared.
While security is a concern, some people feel more guns aren't the answer.
"All my life I've been able to protect myself. I've been able to provide security to all the people that were around me that I loved. I've been in those places and I've never needed a gun," said Jack Smith.
Walter Stawicki said gun laws aren't the problem.
"There are enough gun laws," he said. "Enforce them. Get enough people out there doing the damn job of enforcing them."
City leaders are going to brainstorm a wish list of gun control ideas before reconvening later this month to talk about presenting their ideas to the state legislature.
