Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray, D-Seattle, today released the following statement regarding the rollout of six bills aimed at reducing gun violence in the state:

"Discussions about firearms too often divide us, but the goal of preventing senseless violence is a goal that unites us all. Senate Democrats are proposing a gun-violence-prevention strategy that has attracted broad, bipartisan support and aims to accomplish three key objectives.

“First, we want keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals we already know should not be buying guns. Our bill for universal background checks has received twenty-three signatures – two less than is needed to pass in the Senate.

“Second, we want to reduce the number of accidental gun-related tragedies that occur when unsupervised children come in contact with firearms stored in their homes. Our in-home safe-storage bill is modeled on laws that have greatly reduced gun fatalities among children in other states – it’s received twenty-four signatures in the Senate.

“Third, we want to put in place some common-sense protections for individuals undergoing mental distress, including those who are not competent to stand trial, those who are involuntarily committed, and those who wish to turn over a gun to law enforcement for temporary safekeeping.

“These are three key reforms we can take today that will make our communities safer without raising emotions, dividing public opinion or inciting controversy. Republicans and Democrats should move forward together to pass these reforms without delay.”

Senate Democrats’ gun-violence-prevention strategy can be found here.