Lawmakers Ban Open Carry In Washington State Capitol After Gun Nuts Storm Building
(cross-posted from GD)
In a classic case of a group hurting their cause more than helping it, approximately 200 gun rights activists demonstrated at Washingtons state capitol building on Thursday morning to ostensibly protest the passage of I-594, a law that expands background checks in the state. A large number of the demonstrators brought assault rifles and holstered pistols to the rally. Eventually, after a number of speeches on the steps of the Capitol, some of the activists entered the building with rifles and made their way to the gallery shortly after that mornings House session had ended.
A day after this display, Lt. Governor Brad Owen, a Democrat and President of the Senate, announced that openly carried firearms are now banned from the public viewing area. Owen pointed out that other forms of demonstrating are prohibited in the public gallery, such as applause, and they do not allow backpacks and umbrellas to be brought into the area. With that in mind, it would only make sense that guns are off limits.
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http://www.politicususa.com/2015/01/17/lawmakers-ban-open-carry-washington-state-capitol-gun-nuts-storm-building.html