One Sunday in October, we met in Normandy Park to discuss ways to make the public aware of why Mayor Nickels is acting against the interests of the people of Seattle with his illegal edict against guns in parks and other public places. Rather than take the legislative route or seek an AGO opinion, many of those that have contacted me are conviced that legislative battles are hopeless and may just create legislative history that could backfire when we get into the courts.

After the meeting in October, SAF filed suit on behalf of several Plaintiffs impacted by the Mayor’s decree, a Kent attorney, Bob Warden, announced to the news media that he would appear armed at a Seattle community center in order to protest the ban. On Saturday at twelve noon, November 14th, Mr. Warden and another armed advocate arrived. The news cameras filmed Warden’s entry and an employee politely demanding that they leave, telling them they could return unarmed. The two men promptly left the premises.

Warden’s press release stating that he would be attempting to enter the community center dismayed some gun activists while others favored such action all along.

Mike Cheney, leader of the Seattle Second Amendment Group, and others from open-carry circles, had scheduled the October meeting in order for all us to seek consensus on how to proceed against Mayor Nickles’ illegal gun bans. Mike stated:

“I believe it is good to get together and discuss strategy and attack this thing as an informed and unified group. I have received very positive response to this concept and believe we can win this and further advance the rights along with the image of all gun owners.”

Everyone involved agrees with Cheney that this wasn’t just an Open Carry event “but impacts us all!” Two local television news broadcasters were there with cameras. And the owner of Dino’s welcomes gun owners. Open Carry or concealed carry is welcome at Dino’s. Great food and the media personnel certainly must have been impressed with the caliber of folks represented at the meeting, thirty or forty openly armed, well-dressed citizens at a very nice family restaurant.

The discussion was very pro-law enforcement and the consensus seemed to be that we should avoid anything that might put the Seattle Police Department in between honoring our Washington state firearms preemption law and obeying a chain of command that answers to the Mayor. Openly armed protests or parades in the streets are not feasible because the City will not issue a permit without language banning firearms. In the case of parades, such language may pass legal muster in view of the express provision in our Washington State Constitution that there is no right to maintain an armed body of men:

Section 24 - Right to Bear Arms

The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this Section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.

We discussed legal action about to be filed by the Second Amendment Foundation and whether there would be a Temporary Restraining Order to keep Mayor Nickles from prohibiting citizens from exercising our rights and responsibilities under Section 24 above. Someone suggested an “empty holster” protest in order to provide grassroots support for the SAF’s imminent legal action. As folks that appreciate our friends within the Seattle Police Department (of which there are apparently many), the suggestion made sense that we set information tables and distribute information explaining why we carry weapons and how armed citizens help deter crime.

Another idea was to conduct an information campaign in the Mayor’s neighborhood. Openly carrying in the Mayor’s neioghborhood could be construed as an attempt to intimidate the Mayor and could also send the wrong message to the media, the public and the judges. One Seattle area activist reminded us that judges talk among themselves and that anything that telegraphs the wrong message to the judges is not a good strategy.

There were several present that have ideas for how to include the SPD. Winning the support of LEOs is just as important as our image with judges. Thus, anything that looks we are daring law enforcement to disarm us is out of the question. Several of those at the meeting indicated that they will be following up with the police guild and others within law enforcement circles.

One idea that was particularly well received is to work with the Marines in their food and toy drives, Another suggestion that made some sense is to pick up trash on the freeway where passing motorists can get used to seeing our holstered weapons and appreciate our commitment to our communities.

The idea on which we settled is to go to a location such as Westlake Center and hand out informational brochures. Open-carry practices are well understood by the Seattle Police and it is unlikely that anyone will be stopped downtown. Even though Westlake contains a city park it is also an area traversed by the general public where leafleting is commonplace; the likelihood of any arrests for open-carry is very minimal.

Rather than protest or demonstrate, we will have signs that urge the public to “Ask Me Why I Am Carrying a Gun“. Thus, most of the communication will be one on one and there is no likelihood of anyone passing by feeling threatened in any manner.

I went to the meeting wondering what the open-carry folks would be like. I have previously only had the pleasure of meeting a few open-carry practitioners. I saw some very well crafted hardware (mostly in black Kydex holsters worn outside the belt) and came away with a very positive appreciation for everyone that attended and encourage anyone interested to get involved. Everyone was extremely professional. Many good things could result from the meeting on Sunday, including more groups like the Seattle Second Amendment Group. If anyone in the Federal Way area is interested let us know.