After a gun-toting Kent man was asked to leave a West Seattle community center Saturday, he said he had accomplished a first step toward legally challenging Mayor Greg Nickels' ban on firearms in city parks, community centers and other facilities.
After a short, civil showdown with a parks-department employee,
Bob Warden left the Southwest
Community Center with a Glock pistol holstered inside his leather jacket. Warden, who holds a concealed-weapons permit, had come to the center to protest Nickels' gun ban. A licensed attorney, Warden had alerted the city and press to his noon protest.
Warden, 44, said the city's gun ban violates state and federal law. Four gun-rights groups and five individuals said last month they are suing the city and Nickels over the ban. But Warden believes those plaintiffs lack standing to challenge the city's ban because they hadn't personally been evicted from city property for carrying a gun.
He said he expects to file a lawsuit and have a judge hear his complaint: "I think this is a pretty good bang for the buck in terms of standing up for our rights."
Followed by a pack of reporters and cameras, Warden entered the community center shortly after noon. He was greeted by Lisa Harrison, a parks-security employee, who asked him to leave. Warden promptly complied.
A labor-relations specialist with the federal government, Warden said he is not a member of the National Rifle Association and not a political conservative. He maintained his protest was "something a good citizen should do."
The ban went into effect last month in certain park facilities and eventually will include hundreds of playgrounds, community centers, sports fields, swimming pools and water-play areas.
State Attorney General Rob McKenna has said state law pre-empts local authority to adopt firearms regulations, unless specifically authorized by law.
Nickels argues state law does not prohibit a property owner from imposing conditions on the possession of firearms on his or her property.
A Nickels spokesman said the city expects to prevail against those who challenge the gun ban. "We are very confident in our case and look forward to arguing it," said Alex Fryer.
Warden disagreed.
His retired parents were on hand to support him Saturday.
Fred and Barb Warden, also of Kent, said they taught their son to stand up for his beliefs.
"He's always had the courage of his convictions, and we respect what he's doing," his mother said.
Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or
byoung@seattletimes.com
Staff reporter Susan Gilmore contributed to this story.
