​City Flags Return To Full-Staff In San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, CA – City flags in San Rafael are flying at full-staff again Monday.

During the Aug. 5 City Council meeting, Mayor Gary Phillips ordered the city's flags lowered to half-staff until Congress takes meaningful action to protect American cities against gun violence. On Friday, he directed the flags be returned to full-staff on Monday.

"We have received overwhelming support from the community regarding my directive to lower the City's flags to half-staff," Phillips said in a written statement. "While there were some who were not in favor, the vast majority expressed their appreciation for what was done."

Phillips said the decision to lower the flags achieved the goal of directing further attention to the issue.

Phillips also directed city staff to research and propose every possible legal and policy action the city can take to address gun violence. The staff's gun safety and control suggestions will be discussed presented to the council at the Sept. 16 meeting.

"Pending Congressional action, it is clear to me that our community expects us to do even more, and we shall consider all possibilities," Phillips said.

"These may include new ordinances restricting gun sales, gun buy backs organized by law enforcement and other actions to further the safety of all in San Rafael," he added.

"I want the city – as aggressively as possible – to pursue all available measures that are legally permissible for an American city to adopt and enforce against gun violence. I am fed up and frustrated with the total failure to act by Congress on this issue."

Bay City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.