Books and bullets: New Seattle libraries policy locked and loaded

SEATTLE — Starting Monday, people will be allowed to bring guns into Seattle public libraries.

The board of the library system said it did not have a choice but to remove the ban on guns that has been in place for a number of years.

State courts ruled last year that cities had no rights to restrict guns in specific public places.  This came after Seattle tried to ban them in parks and community centers.  The state Supreme Court agreed with lower courts and refused to take up the case because in Washington only state lawmakers have the right to regulate guns.

Seattle city attorney Pete Holmes said he hopes someday the state will let cities create their own gun controls; however, he does not think the votes are there in Olympia right now.

“It’s just wrong, and it is something that can be fixed at the state level,” Holmes said.

Currently, guns are banned in schools and courthouses by state law.

KIRO