ILLEGAL!!!!!!
I just got home from the lewis co. sheriff's office,I went in, and asked if there was somewhere i could check a firearm. the security officer told me there was not, and that i would have to go secure it elsewhere, in my vehicle. I asked him why there were not lock boxes. He said that state law doesnt require one.
I replyed with, yes it does. and that i wanted to talk to an on duty deputy ,now.
he said. go secure the pistol, and you can. I go back out side. and secure it. Walk through the detector, and my holster goes off, I still pass through.
bear in mind, im already HOT from that encounter.. Now i wait about 3 minutes for an on duty deputy, i think. to come down and tell me that OC is illegal ,because it causes alarm. Then he said he recognized me, and i agreed. and just then, someone out of uniform with a huge mustache walks up, and asks me whats going on. I explain to him that I was just inquiring about a training bulletin on this very same matter.
the deputy takes his binder and lifts up my shirt to reveal my serpa. and asks me where the firearm is.. I say, it's secured in my car ,right now.
The other guy, out of uniform ask me if it's loaded.. I say, Yes. But not chambered.
He then proceeds to tell me that it is illegal in washington state to leave a firearm in a car, While it is loaded, of any kind. (bullits in mag) or in chamber. and that i could be thrown in jail for it.
The deputy stands there, while the other guy grills me about why i even need to carry a firearm, but then he tells me to follow him back to his office, because he wants to go further into the matter. I tried to just offer him an OCDO card. and he refused. I follow him back to his office, and had a seat. He then asks me If im military, i say Yes, and offer my MIL.ID. he sais that he was 'CID' for umpteen years and that if im in the service, that im not allowed to carry, and that i could baysically be thrown in the brig. I tell him that im national guard.. and that it's a little different for me. and that even the LT has cleared it. Just to make matters better for his soldiers. as it keeps us safer when we arent on duty.
I then bring up Open carry, just to make it clear. he said that city ordinances prohibit ANYONE from openly displaying, or carrying of a firearm as it warrants alarm. I tell him that people have phobias, and that you cant go locking up clowns because tsome peopel are afraid of them. He tells me again, that it is illegal. he then asks me if I am a hunter, I say No. and he said that if it's out of city limits, it is more or less permitted. and that people display them (guns) in racks all the time. I make the point of (ISNT THAT THE SAME!!!) he says No, because they have business carrying a firearm. and in his opinion only people that consist of Law enforcemtn, or goverment are allowed to carry, or even posess a firearm, especially if it's open.
I tell him that olympia has issued a training bulliten saying that it is LEGAL to carry openly, AND Concealed, AND LOADED. he tells me that they are in the wrong. I wrapped the convorsation up. and walked out. I'm under the impression that we will encounter the department this sunday, and that it will quickly go sour.
So this is your warning.
As he clearly stated that
WASHINGTON IS NOT AN OPEN CARRY STATE
and that Concealed carry is ,as a matter of fact ILLEGAL in other states.
On my way out. the security officer that was a dick to me, said..'SEE THERES A SIGN RIGHT THERE I read it, and it says NOTHING about firearms, only sharb or threatning objects'
I would like for SV, or Lonnie Wilson to reply to this. If this becomes an issue, do either of you have a lawyer that would be willing to deal with this matter?
EDIT
I also asked .. what the gray area was for a person that was Concealing. if this person were to have an exposed holster, or barrel . would he or she be subject to warranting alarm. He said very cleary, NO. as it is still concealed.
That and I've got Mannlicher clips on the brain right now...