Snohomish County considers allowing guns in parks

Summary

Councilmembers say it would bring the county in line with state law. It also would contradict a move Seattle is making to ban guns in their public parks.

Story Published: Nov 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM PST

Snohomish County considers allowing guns in parks

Everett's Wyatt Park

EVERETT - The Snohomish County Council is considering allowing people to carry legally owned firearms in the county's 103 parks.

Council member John Koster tells The Herald of Everett that the change would bring the county in line with state law.

Some of those at Everett parks Wednesday afternoon, including Dale Johnson, think parks aren’t the places for guns.

"There are gun ranges for that," he said. "Guns don't belong in parks where there are families."

Park goer Kent Welcker doesn't own a gun, but was in favor of the measure.

"We have constitutional rights," he said. "Most of the people I've been around use guns responsibly."

The measure, due to go before a council committee next month, is in contrast with Seattle's move to ban guns in city parks. That city ban has been challenged in court by gun rights advocates.

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