Dear City Council, I'm writing to urge you to return the Safe Storage of Firearms Ordinance (No. 1067) to the agenda and pass it into law. I understand that a Menlo Park resident threatened to file a federal lawsuit if the ordinance was passed, and while they can be expensive- especially during the Coronavirus shutdowns, Everytown for Gun Safety has offered to defend any potential lawsuit for free. Ordinances nearly identical to Menlo Park Proposed Ordinance 1067 have already been upheld by the courts. Federal courts have repeatedly stated that the right to bear arms can be balanced with public safety interests and that storage requirements are not unconstitutional. There are many important issues facing the City at this time, however, this is not an issue to postpone. It is more imperative now than ever because gun sales have soared since the Shelter in Place orders and unintentional shootings by children rose by 43% in March and April, not coincidentally. I am a student. With school beginning in early August with increased in-person learning, myself, and my peers, deserve to be safe both within our homes and with the transition back to school. I ask that you place this ordinance back on the agenda to ensure the safety of all Menlo Park residents since there is no longer a risk of a financial setback. Thank you, Paige Viotti, Student at Menlo-Atherton High School Received on Tue Jun 30 2020 - 16:48:08 PDT
