Queen Anne & Magnolia News
Ruairi Vaughan, Contributing writer
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 2:37 PM
The Washington state Legislature is considering legislation that would make it illegal to openly carry weapons during protests or on the grounds of the state Capitol.
Opponents of Senate Bill 5038 have labelled it an assault on the Second Amendment, while the bill’s supporters argue it is necessary to prevent more violent confrontations like the ones that occurred during public demonstrations last year.
The bill, which was sponsored by 15 Democratic state senators, would make it a gross misdemeanor to carry a variety of weapons — including firearms, clubs, knives and knuckle dusters — while attending a public demonstration or on the grounds of the state Capitol.