Anacortes council raises penalty for aiming or discharging weapons to a gross misdemeanor

The Anacortes City Council on Feb. 2 unanimously adopted Ordinance 5020, amending Anacortes Municipal Code section 9.16.020 to make aiming or discharging a weapon within city limits a gross misdemeanor. The measure was presented by City Attorney Darcy Swetnam, who told council the change moves the offense from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor to better reflect public-safety risk.

Swetnam said the change targets conduct that can endanger people in town. "The proposed change would make it a gross misdemeanor," she told the council during the first reading and discussion.

Supporters cited recent local incidents when arguing for a stronger penalty. Council member Miss Moulton referenced a shooting on 6th Street and said the timing — around when children walk to school — made the change urgent. "There was a shooting incident on 6th Street not so terribly long ago, and it happened around 9-ish in the morning," Moulton said, describing why she favored immediate action. Chief Floyd had reviewed the proposal and recommended approval, Swetnam said.

Council member Fantini moved to waive the two-read rule so council could act the same night; the motion passed. Miss Moulton then moved to adopt Ordinance 5020, and the council approved it in a roll-call vote called by the clerk: Miss Moulton, Mister McDougall, Mister Fantini, Mister Currier, Mister Young and Miss Cleland McGrath voted yes; there were zero nays.

Because the council waived the two-read rule and adopted the ordinance in the same meeting, the change takes effect according to the city’s ordinance-adoption procedures. City staff will proceed with administrative steps to publish the ordinance and update code references. The meeting adjourned after the vote.