“Openly carrying guns and other weapons are now prohibited at the Washington state Capitol and public protests statewide, under a measure signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jay Inslee,” the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Read story here.
“The new law, which … took effect immediately …, bars people from carrying weapons, either on their person or in their vehicle, while attending a permitted demonstration at a public place or while being within 250 feet of the perimeter of a permitted demonstration, the AP reported.
“Violation of the law will be a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000, or both.” And if you threaten someone with it, that’s a felony.
Good. It’s about time. And I’m glad I live in a state where people like these idiots can’t get away with it (photo below; story here). Whatever flashing guns at people they don’t like is — bullying, intimidation, threatening, or insurrection — it’s not free speech. Guns can’t talk.
Photo: Trump supporters holding an idiot convention at the Michigan state capitol
It has to survive court challenges to be valid. [This comment has been edited.]
You have it backwards (you’re never very good with legal stuff): It has to not survive a court challenge to be invalid, and until then, it’s valid. To date, the Supreme Court has not struck down state bans on open carry, and lower courts have upheld them. Gun nuts will appeal, but there’s no assurance the S.Ct. will accept a case; in light of recent political violence in our country, the justices may prefer to duck this issue for now.