imported post
I know this thread is old, but this is more information on Pierce County Parks.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=36.68.080
RCW 36.68.080
Penalty for violations of regulations.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section,
any person violating any rules or regulations adopted by the board of county commissioners relating to parks, playgrounds, or other recreational facilities is guilty of a misdemeanor.
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/recreate/fac-rules.htm
OTHER PARK RULES & REGULATIONS
- Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
- Loitering in vehicles is prohibited.
- For safety, swim only in designated areas.
- Please use trash receptacles.
- No firearms, fireworks, or open fires.
- Loud music is prohibited.
- Drive carefully and cautiously and enjoy your visit.
- No person shall camp in any park except in areas specifically designated and/or marked for that purpose.
Violations of any of the Park Code 36.68 can mean fines up to $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 90 days. Rewards of up to $300 may be given for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone vandalizing Pierce County property.
Kent did not reply to my first message that I sent to him on the 12th of February 2010.
Today, I forwarded the message to Kent, four other people and the main parks email.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: xxxxxx
Date: Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 10:44 PM
Subject: Central Meadow Park
To:
kbasket@co.pierce.wa.us
Kent Basket,
I am sending you an email in response to the sign that is posted at the lower park area at Chambers Creek Properties.
I noticed that on the sign, there is a section that reads, "Fireworks and firearms are prohibited."
This is directly in violation of RCW 9.41.290,
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.290The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to firearms or parts thereof, including ammunition and reloader components. Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law, as in RCW
9.41.300, and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances shall have the same penalty as provided for by state law.
Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.
and RCW 9.41.300.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.300(2) Cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities may enact laws and ordinances:
(a) Restricting the discharge of firearms in any portion of their respective jurisdictions where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property will be jeopardized.
Such laws and ordinances shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by Article I, section 24 of the state Constitution to bear arms in defense of self or others; and
(b) Restricting the possession of firearms in any stadium or convention center, operated by a city, town, county, or other municipality, except that such restrictions shall not apply to:
(i) Any pistol in the possession of a person licensed under RCW
9.41.070 or exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW
9.41.060; or
(ii) Any showing, demonstration, or lecture involving the exhibition of firearms.
(3)(a) Cities, towns, and counties may enact ordinances restricting the areas in their respective jurisdictions in which firearms may be sold, but, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a business selling firearms may not be treated more restrictively than other businesses located within the same zone. An ordinance requiring the cessation of business within a zone shall not have a shorter grandfather period for businesses selling firearms than for any other businesses within the zone.
(b) Cities, towns, and counties may restrict the location of a business selling firearms to not less than five hundred feet from primary or secondary school grounds, if the business has a storefront, has hours during which it is open for business, and posts advertisements or signs observable to passersby that firearms are available for sale. A business selling firearms that exists as of the date a restriction is enacted under this subsection (3)(b) shall be grandfathered according to existing law.
Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
Loitering in vehicles is prohibited.
For safety, swim only in designated areas.
Please use trash receptacles.
No firearms, fireworks, or open fires.
Loud music is prohibited.
Drive carefully and cautiously and enjoy your visit.
No person shall camp in any park except in areas specifically designated and/or marked for that purpose.
The sign that is posted on public park property, is in violation of state law. There are two pages on the pierce county parks website for rules at Chambers Creek Properties and all Pierce County Parks property. Both of these pages on the county website say that firearms are prohibited. The website needs to be updated to be in accordance with state law.
The sign that is posted at Chambers Creek Properties needs to be taken down and changed. This is a rule that, when seen by the average citizen, would expect that it is illegal for anyone that is armed to be there. This would waste 911 dispatcher's time, unable to take real emergency calls, and would cause unneeded police response to "man with a gun" calls, stopping them from responding to actual emergencies. Ultimately, if anyone were to be arrested for carrying a firearm on any of the public park properties in Pierce County, the taxpayers would be footing a bill for a lawsuit against the city and county, for violating a persons constitutionally granted right(s) and state law.
If there are more signs at other parks around Pierce County that read that firearms are prohibited, they need to be removed and changed ASAP.
If there is any confusion, you can refer to the recent lawsuit in Seattle over banning guns in public parks.
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Judges-ruling-ends-Seattles-gun-ban-84272067.html
and
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d12-Judge-in-Seattle-case-Plaintiffs-have-right-to-carry-under-federal-state-constitutions
Please respond as soon as possible.
Thank you
xxxxxx
