Unusual no trespassing sign raising eyebrows in Bellingham
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BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A no-trespassing sign posted across the street from a local middle school is raising eyebrows in Bellingham, but police say it is completely legal.
The sign, which was posted on private property across from Fairhaven Middle School, warns "semi-literate thieves" that four different types of guns are on site four days a week.
Some parents and residents in the area say having a sign that hints at gun violence so close to young children sends the wrong message. One resident says she noticed the sign go up the same week as the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut.
"We were already crying because of all of the children that had lost their lives and the teachers," said Pat Briggs-Yazzie, "(and then we) noticed the sign. Just infuriated me that somebody would be threatening to shoot people across from our middle school."
"I think it's terrible. I think there's too many guns in this country and it's too violent," added Paul Hammond, who is originally from the United Kingdom. "To me, yes, people kill, but if they didn't have the guns they couldn't use them to kill and guns near schools. It's wrong."
Despite those complaints, police say the sign is completely legal. Officers also say they were called the property back in December after $400 worth of scrap metal and materials was stolen from the site.
"It's a no trespassing sign. It's posted on private property. There are no threats being made on the sign," said Mark Young of the Bellingham Police Department. "It's a legal sign on private property that does not violate any laws that I'm aware of."
The landowner who posted the sign didn't want to comment on it, but some in the area say they understand Second Amendment rights can be displayed in a First Amendment way.
"I work in the construction industry and I know about getting break-ins on job sites, and it's frustrating," said Jeralyn Conrad, whose son is a 6th grade student at Fairhaven Middle School. "I don't have a problem with the sign at all. If I found out he was carrying an arsenal there across the street, then I might have a problem with it."
A Bellingham School District official said the property owner has talked with a school leader, but has no plans to remove the sign.
"We do not support this advertisement of weapons," added district spokeswoman Tanya Rowe in a statement, "but the sign is not on our property and we have no authority on the issue."
The sign, which was posted on private property across from Fairhaven Middle School, warns "semi-literate thieves" that four different types of guns are on site four days a week.
Some parents and residents in the area say having a sign that hints at gun violence so close to young children sends the wrong message. One resident says she noticed the sign go up the same week as the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut.
"We were already crying because of all of the children that had lost their lives and the teachers," said Pat Briggs-Yazzie, "(and then we) noticed the sign. Just infuriated me that somebody would be threatening to shoot people across from our middle school."
"I think it's terrible. I think there's too many guns in this country and it's too violent," added Paul Hammond, who is originally from the United Kingdom. "To me, yes, people kill, but if they didn't have the guns they couldn't use them to kill and guns near schools. It's wrong."
Despite those complaints, police say the sign is completely legal. Officers also say they were called the property back in December after $400 worth of scrap metal and materials was stolen from the site.
"It's a no trespassing sign. It's posted on private property. There are no threats being made on the sign," said Mark Young of the Bellingham Police Department. "It's a legal sign on private property that does not violate any laws that I'm aware of."
The landowner who posted the sign didn't want to comment on it, but some in the area say they understand Second Amendment rights can be displayed in a First Amendment way.
"I work in the construction industry and I know about getting break-ins on job sites, and it's frustrating," said Jeralyn Conrad, whose son is a 6th grade student at Fairhaven Middle School. "I don't have a problem with the sign at all. If I found out he was carrying an arsenal there across the street, then I might have a problem with it."
A Bellingham School District official said the property owner has talked with a school leader, but has no plans to remove the sign.
"We do not support this advertisement of weapons," added district spokeswoman Tanya Rowe in a statement, "but the sign is not on our property and we have no authority on the issue."
Great sign! I think I'll make one that's similar! Thanks for sharing!
Does the sign serve its purpose? I think it's reasonable . . . it's a warning. If you're offended, don't read it. If you're a "bad guy" don't go on the property. Since some law enforcement agencies don't respond to property owners who need the help in dealing with law breakers they are forced to ram the message home. Why don't you try to walk in his shoes? Oh! It doesn't affect you so you could care less, too! I ask you, John and Jane Public, what does it take for you to support the property owner? Will it not matter until the thug bangs on your door or window and, for the first time in YOUR life, you ask for support, the response is not fast enough for you, and you personally have to deal with pukes who think nothing of the safety of your family and property? Oh, yeah. It will matter then. Think about the rights of your neighbor. If we don't protect each other, when the law doesn't feel you're worth their time, who will be responsible?
The sign went up 4 days before Sandy Hook. It dose not threaten anyone. It simply states "NO TRESPASSING" and informs people that the site has gun brand names on it, 4 days a week. LOL It was vary well done.Â
This sign is NOT a threat of gun violence! Why is it that some people make the assumption that just because a property owner or any citizen for that matter has a firearm that they are somehow a danger to everyone else? That is simply not the case. Until proven otherwise, a law abiding gun owner should NOT be treated as a second class citizen for exercising a Constitutional right (both the 1st and 2nd in this case)!
Love this.
Get over yourselves, you self-righteous twits. PRIVATE PROPERTY.
I figure it's a good time to teach kids about trespassing. See that Johnny, that's what will happen if you go onto someone elseâs property to steal or destroy property. You cannot just go and do as you please. There are consequences for your actions if you do not obey the law. Do you understand me son? Good boy, now let's get back to that math homework. You need a quality education so you don't end up on the wrong side of a person protecting their property.
For children to be upset by this, they must
1. Be able to read
2. Know that the names listed are gun makers
3. Lack a sense of humor
It just pisses them off they have "no authority on this issue". Guess what you fat overpaid underworked education specialists, you have no authority on anything.
This sign is not a threat of gun violence. If anything, it is a warning AGAINST gun violence. It basically says, "Hey, if you don't want to be confronted with a gun, and you are a thief, then find another target, please." If that offends some confused cowards, that's fine- nearly everything will offend an idiot.
Don't trespass and you have NOTHING to worry about !!! Â
I like this sign. I think I may copy them and have my own personalized No Trespassing signs made up. Keep the thieves out of my orchard and the religious nutbags off my porch.
Dumbass liberals. Â They get a free security patrol and they're complaining about it....
If you dont like the sign, then dont LOOK at it!
Come on guys, this is just local news ginning up controversy where there is little if any. And so many of you fall right into the trap of making a big deal out of it.Â
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 @lakeview Take it however you want, but about 1/2 of the current US population thinks that signs like this should be illegal, that all guns should be confiscated (from law abiding citizens), and that somehow (if these steps were taken) gun violence would disappear. Do not acknowledge the insidious nature of evil at your own peril. Liberals are big on the phrase, "speak truth to power." I am bigger on the phrase, "Speak sense to ignorance." Don't sit by passively as the idiots take over our country. How could there be any danger in ignoring (passive acceptance of) such nonsense? By the time you think there is "something to this crap," and that it's time to respond to these idiots, it will be too late.
 @lakeview Our time, not yours.
Good for him. The guy with an accent has no idea how psychology works. if you see that sign as a thief you will look for easier targets. Being next to a school has nothing to do with this. thousands of gun owners live near schools and discouraging thieves from being near a school is a good thing IMHO.
After ALL of the apples on my apple tree were stolen overnight last summer I posted a sign on my fence that says âNo trespassing â Violators will be shotâ. One of my neighbors got her panties in a bunch and asked me if I owned a gun. Iâm not going to post my answer here.
Fast-forward/rewind to last week. A different neighbor across the street was burglarized last Wednesday in the daytime, most likely a student, as Bellevue has early-release Wednesdays.
Previous owners of the house across my street had their car ransacked by students, and a couple years ago my garage door was tagged by kids.
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If this sign works for the contractor, more power to him/her. As for me, my neigbhor's house was burglarized - not mine.
 @Vinnie Hers was probably burglarized while she was whining about your sign either to you or up at City Hall.Â
Thought police, pre-crimes division, on patrol in your liberal "socks-n-sandals" neighborhood. Give me a freak'n break!
How is this any different than the "Protected by Smith and Wesson" signs that I have seen since I was a kid? It's on his property and I think it's pretty clever - to the point without actually making a direct threat. I know someone who has a sign that says "Forget the gun - Beware  of the crazy southern grandma holding it." Her neighbors all think it's funny.Â
So not only do they want to take away my right to own a gun....but now we can't even claim to own a gun or 4 guns? Do I have to actually own a Smith and Wesson to put one of those "insured by Smith and Wesson" bumper stickers on my truck? These people deserved to be regularly pistol whipped, by a sweaty meth addicted thief and Obama voter until they get their mind right.
waaah! call a waaaahmbulance! bring waaaaahmburgers!!Â
these waaaaahscal hab a sign!!
:,(
it's teh infuriating!!
@gungirl WHAT??????????????????????????????????????
shouldn't the real conversation be about how this sign is a rehash from an old joke sign that has been around and sold for at least 30 years.   So basically, this person just has the dubest taste in humor possible. Â
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Ah, Rednecks, and their guns,a nd dumb jokes,.
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"this person just has the dubest taste in humor possible." Skrillex is like "Yeah, right on!" wub-wub-wub... Â
 @shipwrecked_and_comatose Throw in some pop locking, recycled break dancing, and you are right on the mark!
@T H I S
"...dubest taste in humor possible. Â
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Ah, Rednecks, and their guns,a nd dumb jokes,."
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Ahhh trolls, and their poor grammar!
 @komotriedtosilenceme  @T H I S That's spelling, not grammar, fyi.Â
 @lakeview  @komotriedtosilenceme Aww, someone's a bully. Did they pick on U when U was wittle?
 @komotriedtosilenceme U gonna cri aboot et?Â
 @lakeview comma followed by a period 4 commas in one "sentence"
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Not grammatical composition mistakes?
 @lakeview  @komotriedtosilenceme  @T H I S since you want to get specific, there are more than just spelling errors.  syntax and capitalization boo-boos are in there as well..  you must not be seeing them.  fyi.
WOW  we are still taking about this ? REALLY ?????????????
Really people grow some skin and stop being so sensitive. Â Its a tough world out there and the sooner kids learn that the better off they are. Â The sooner they learn thats its hard work that gets you forward and not everyone wins every time. Â The landowner has every right to protect his or her property and what's on it.
Marcus Wrightmann - - RE; ' UNWARRANTED Run On Guns 2009 '
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its unwarranted because Obama does not have the Authority - so for Four years you guys barked at shadows til you were blue, but nothing happened against gun ownership. - Then Dec 2012 Newton created the another wave of Gun Runs, but again Obama does not have the authority to do diddly..... This time, however, there is a Real push from the left to address Gun Violence.. but CONGRESS will determine the policiesÂ
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for the record; No body is removing your right to own Guns - and as i know no one is asking to Amend the 2nd
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btw; i notice few of you guys attacking DT like a pack of hyenas - do you guys think she's a young girl by the image you see... Pathetic
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@ Torqputty - I am sick and tired of people saying what you just wrote, "Nobody is removing your right ot own guns"....REALLY? How can you, the President and the VP say that with a straight face?  This administration is advacating the ban of an entire class of firearms that are statistically rarely used in gun murders (see FBI Uniform Crime Reports), but somehow you equate that with NOT trying to take guns!?  Simply unbelievable!Â
 @Torqputty So an assault weapon ban is not removing my rights to own a gun? Oh, I see, I can still own a gun that does not scare you anti gunners. You are another anti gunner dressed in sheeps clothing chanting "I have to pretend I support the 2nd, I have to pretend I support the 2nd".
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There is no such thing as "gun violence". This is a term made up from the anti gun crowd trying to portray that guns cause violence. The only "thing" that causes violence is people. You are delaying all progress to removing violence in America by refusing to see violence. You only see the gun and you soil your pants.
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Oh and btw, @DT is an immature poster here and that is why he/she is treated as such. Maybe when he/she can show some maturity in his/her posts will he/she be treated as such. But, I guess you know @DT hense the proper sex orientation. Maybe you can tell @DT to grow up.
@Beam_Me_Up @Torqputty -you make a good point, BMU. Without humans guns just kind of sit there and, well, do nothing. About the recent panic over guns,I keep thinking, " Didn't any of you people see '2001: A Space Oddessey?''' Humans have been bashing each other's skulls in with whatever's handy since the dawn of humanity. Always have, always will.Â
Bottom line is, I don't believe, nor do any other intelligent people, that you or your like are supporters of the 2nd in any way shape or form. It is misdirection to get us off our guard while you dismantle our rights through backdoor legislation, piece by piece. It's not fooling anybody. The 2nd, like any other civil right is not something you can remove parts of and have it remain intact.
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Not that I think any of the so called "liberals" here will read it, but here is a very well worded article from a true liberal....one I may not agree with everything on, but one that understands what these faux liberals are truly about. They are not about liberty or freedom..;..they are for statism and overarching government oversight of the smallest corners of our everyday lives. True liberals and conservatives may disagree on many things but what they should agree on is that rights are important, and just because you disagree with a right doesn't mean you can legislate it away. It's a very dangerous idea to promote, and one that has led to the downfall of societies, usually ending up in democide.
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http://www.thepolemicist.net/2013/01/the-rifle-on-wall-left-argument-for-gun.html
There is way too much sensitivity about guns right now. What happened at Sandy Hook is a horrible tragedy, but was the act of a person, not a lapse in the law. In a panic more gun laws are being introduced but it's been proven time and again that the people who commit these crimes don't let a law stand in their way.
Plain talk beats PCBS every time. Good for you, Elliott!
This is the same mindset that freaks out over a 7 year old playing and making a pretend grenade toss. http://kdvr.com/2013/02/04/7-year-old-playing-an-imaginary-game-at-school-gets-suspended-for-real/This PC psychosis HAS TO STOP!
 @Bornhere Yes sir. They would like to outlaw pictures of guns,too. The hope is, that by the time these kids grow up, they'll be OK with the arrest of anyone who says, "gun." If only they knew history... zero tolerance (and what it really represents- the deconstruction of rational thought) is exactly what leads to the killing of whole classes and races of people. It never has to make sense, but if people accept it, some part of their brain convinces them that it DOES make sense. Rationalization is an amazing thing. These fools honestly think if they can somehow outlaw all guns, can outlaw all references and depictions of guns, can somehow pretend like guns are gone, they WILL be gone. It's a psychosis, a syndrome like Stockholm syndrome, or Munchausen syndrome- it's an imaginary justification for actions that do not apply to reality. Guns exist. Men will always make them and possess them. If we make it illegal, then by definition, only criminals will have guns.
 @Bornhere Wow, the thought police picking on a 7 year old kid for playing.  Way to set an example!  I wonder what the kid will 'learn' from this? Â
http://kdvr.com/2013/02/04/7-year-old-playing-an-imaginary-game-at-school-gets-suspended-for-real/
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This text editor sucks.
1 in 5 residents of WA have a CPL. That means, 1 out of every 5, or let's say 10 to be safe, people you see walking down the street are packing a gun. Now, in downtown Seattle, that's about 1 person you pass every 30 seconds or so. Have you been shot? Have you ever seen a shooting? Most likely not. Guess what? Man up and quit being a pansy. Guns are everywhere and will continue to be everywhere. So, you can either live in fear and wet yourself daily, or you can grow a pair.
 I think our sisters of the fairer sex may have a problem with your 'grow a pair' sentiment, but I get what you are saying. Our children are much, much more likely to die in a car wreck on I-5 than they are to die in a Sandy Hook type tragedy. But nobody ever gives even the faintest whiff of a care about jumping on the ol' freeway.
 I have been carrying a Glock 19 around with me everywhere I've gone for the last 30 years, and I haven't shot anyone yet. Then again, no one's ever tried to carjack me, break into my house, lay a hand on my wife or do anything hinky to my son...(the last two there, you'll get the whole clip for that.)
 @shipwrecked_and_comatose Well we have several anatomical features that come in pairs.
 @shipwrecked_and_comatoseÂ
Had a CPL when I lived in SoCal and got one when I moved up here to WA. Funny thing is, the last time I thought I heard someone sneaking around my backyard at 0200, what did I grab to go check it out? The Colt? Nope, a broom. hahahahahahaÂ
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 @Desiree Gutierrez LOL. On a serious note, you should work on your home responses. You fight like you train. Do you train with a broom?
correction:Â 1 in 20 have a CPL, so adjust the stats in your head accordingly
 @Bubba Gunners Latest info is 1 in 12.
 @sportbuff01 Dunno what that has to do with the number of CPLs. But, what you say is not far off the mark. Not everyone who carries, carries legally. I just assume when I am out and about, that any and everyone is armed. Not a big deal, really.
wayne LaPierre told me everybody has a gun