Following a tense and un-permitted pro-gun rally at the State Capitol building last Friday, 24th District Rep. Mike Chapman-D, is introducing legislation to ban open-carry guns on Olympia’s Capitol grounds.
Co-sponsored with State Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, Chapman says he filed House Bill 2925 on Monday after witnessing what he describes as a siege of the Capitol.
“Yeah, you know Friday was disturbing. The state capitol building, for a period of time, had about a hundred people wandering around the Rotunda, blocking entrances. These people are fully armed. They had weapons slung over their shoulders, some were wearing masks, full camo gear. We had tour groups. Many kids’ tour groups were here. They were trying to flee the Capitol as quick as possible. We had about 15 State Patrol officers who were called out. I would argue that even some of the law enforcement officers were very…they were tense. It was a tense situation, you know. This was somewhat of a siege. It has stunned me, as I’ve been here in Olympia, that we just allow people to wander into the Rotunda, wander around the Capitol grounds with fully, you know, open carry of firearms.”
Chapman, a former law enforcement officer who still possesses a concealed weapons permit, says the issue in this case is not about the Second Amendment.
“This has nothing to do with the Second Amendment. This has everything to do with… what are we as a society…what are we allowing? Try to go to the Capitol Building in Washington DC. You’re not going to walk into the US Capitol with a weapon slung over your shoulder in full tactical gear and a mask on. We don’t allow weapons into the hearing rooms already. We don’t allow open-carry weapons into the galley overlooking the House and the Senate. So this is just the next logical step. Plus, there is an ability to set up a lawful demonstration. It’s usually on the steps of the Capitol Building, and we’ve had plenty of Second Amendment demonstrations. This was just dozens and dozens and dozens of folks showing up at the Capitol Building. Nobody knew exactly what the purpose was.”
The proposed bill would amend an existing law that already outlaws guns in places like jails, courthouses, and public mental health facilities. Concealed guns would still be allowed if the person has a concealed handgun license.
Chapman says he does not expect the proposed bill to go anywhere this session but is satisfied with getting the conversation going.
Pictures posted to Facebook showed the participants in the “March for Our Rights” demonstration rallying on the steps of the Capitol before going inside.
(Photo from Friday’s event as seen on “March For Our Rights” Facebook page.)