Document Code No.: PHL 15-1 (AEO)
Department/Issuing Agency: Department of Public Health
Effective Date: February 14, 2013
Approved: /s/ Dow Constantine
Type of Action: New

Signed document (PDF, 49KB)

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This order directs Public Health – Seattle & King County to develop a data-driven response to the problem of gun violence in King County.

WHEREAS, more than 31,000 people in the United States are killed by gun violence each year, including more than 125 in King County; and

WHEREAS, more people in King County die from gun violence than motor vehicle crashes; and 

WHEREAS, gun violence is a preventable public health problem; and 

WHEREAS, there are reasons to be optimistic that we can solve this public health problem using lessons learned from public health successes of the past such as reducing deaths from tobacco use, accidental poisonings, and motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, we can take similar public health approaches to reducing gun violence by adopting multiple strategies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dow Constantine, King County Executive, do hereby order and direct:

Public Health – Seattle & King County to  collect data and to work with local leaders and community partners to develop and implement prevention strategies to reduce gun violence.

Data collection activities and strategies shall include, but not be limited to:

• Piloting a Youth Shooting Review, patterned after the Child Death review, to be conducted by representatives from public health, criminal justice, social services, and education to review of the circumstances of death or injuries to youths caused by gun violence, with the goal of developing community interventions to prevent further tragedies.
• Collecting information on circumstances leading to and surrounding gun injuries and deaths to build the evidence-base that can inform the development of effective policies.  Data collection may include additional questions on public health surveys regarding gun ownership and storage to develop a better understanding of how to promote responsible gun ownership and gun usage. 
• Promoting responsible gun ownership in the home.
• Working with sellers and retailers to encourage responsible gun ownership.
• Convening local leaders and community partners to review data and evidence so as to better understand what is happening in our community, leading to the development of an ongoing approach to reduce gun violence with strategies and solutions that are within King County's authority.

Dated this 4th day of February, 2013.

/s/ Dow Constantine
King County Executive

Attest:
/s/ Norm Alberg
Director Designee, Records and Licensing Services Division