4:36 PM UPDATE: From the mayor’s office, which is now handling all comment on this: “If this resident plans to enter a Parks facility with a concealed weapon, he will be asked to leave. If he refuses, he will be arrested.”
ORIGINAL 12:04 PM STORY: Seems like Southwest Community Center and Pool is just the place to be tomorrow, more than usual. First we published news last night of a group renting the pool tomorrow night for a clothing-optional swim (since their first choice, Ballard Pool, is closed for repairs) – now, a man says he’s planning to challenge the city’s park/community center gun restrictions (already targeted in a lawsuit) by showing up at SWCC at noon tomorrow with a concealed weapon. He cc’d us and other media on a “courtesy” letter to the city; his entire letter is ahead – but first, a note: We asked if he chose that time and place for a particular reason; he told us he was hoping to attend the “Dogs in the Hood” show. Read on for the letter:
Dear Ms. Potter: [Dewey Potter, Seattle Parks]
As a courtesy, this is advance notice that at noon tomorrow, Saturday,
November 14, I plan to exercise my legal right to bear arms in Seattle’s
Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle Street. I will be safely and
securely carrying my holstered Glock pistol. I have a current valid State
of Washington License to Carry Concealed.I am an attorney licensed to practice in Washington since 1991. I have
carefully reviewed the issues, and I concur with and am relying on AGO 2008
No. 8. Put bluntly, Seattle Parks and Recreation Rule P 060 – 8.14 was
promulgated in knowing and blatant violation of state and federal law.In 1991, I took the Oath of Attorney just like every attorney licensed in
Washington. In doing so I solemnly declared, among other things, that I
would “support the constitution of the State of Washington and the
constitution of the United States,” and that I was “fully subject to the
laws of the State of Washington and the laws of the United States and will
abide by the same.” As mayor of Seattle, I believe Greg Nickels was
required to take an oath with similar pledges. Unlike Mr. Nickels, I take
mine seriously.Please understand that I am not looking for, nor do I want there to be any
kind of uncivil confrontation. I will fully and peacefully comply with any
instruction given to me tomorrow at the Southwest Community Center by law
enforcement personnel and/or any City of Seattle official acting within the
scope of his or her official capacity and presenting proper identification
credentials. I will be wearing a Tacoma Rainiers baseball cap for easy
identification should anyone wish to speak to me tomorrow. The cap is navy
blue, with the stylized capital letters T and R in predominant silver on the
front.Please e-mail me should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Bob Warden
We’re checking to see if he’s gotten any reply. 12:40 PM: Also checked with Parks, which is “working on a statement.” We’ll add it to the story when it’s out. (note – statement came from mayor’s office and was added atop this story) ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: Bob Warden talked with channel 13 tv news on Friday night – here’s their story:
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