The building is posted “No Firearms,” yet anti-gunners still had armed security at an event in Seattle.
By Dave Workman
Senior Editor
Leaders of the nation’s top gun control organization and Washington state’s most vocal gun prohibition group engaged in what appears to have been high-grade hypocrisy when they appeared at a forum in Seattle, held in a so-called “gun free zone” while enjoying the protection of an armed security guard.
The Town Hall Seattle forum featured Brady Campaign President Dan Gross and Washington CeaseFire President Ralph Fascitelli. Town Hall Seattle had a sign in the glass front door advising visitors, “No firearms allowed in the building. Thank you for your cooperation.” Inside was the visibly armed security guard.
This program was headlined “Gun reform: Where do we go from here,” and was attended by about 50 people. The program was presented by Town Hall “in partnership” with CeaseFire as part of Town Hall’s “Civic Series.”
But gun rights advocates suggested that having an armed guard in the room equated to an acknowledgement that Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said 18 months ago was right when he said, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”
LaPierre made the remark a week after the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012. He was quickly criticized by gun control proponents who – based on the scenario in Seattle – practice a double standard.
Last summer, CeaseFire was fully involved with former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, promoting Seattle businesses to post “Gun-Free Zone” decals in their windows. A full listing of cooperating businesses is posted on the CeaseFire website. McGinn lost his re-election bid and the Town Hall Seattle program suggests that CeaseFire lost on the issue.
Gross’ appearance was not the only gun control program on Town Hall Seattle’s agenda in May. The following weekend, Town Hall’s Civics series presented “Control: A Living Newspaper,” in cooperation with the Strawberry Theatre Workshop. Programs were held Friday and Saturday evening, and Sunday afternoon.
When contacted via e-mail by the Second Amendment Foundation about presenting “a balanced discussion including firearms safety experts and Second Amendment advocates, we could help book guests for the forum,” Town Hall offered a lukewarm reaction.
“We’ll definitely keep your organization on file and in mind for the next program around this topic,” Program Director Stesha Brandon replied.
Gross was in Seattle for CeaseFire’s annual spring luncheon at the Washington Athletic Club. The nominally-attended evening program was something of a bonus that, judging by the light turnout, few area gun prohibitionists were inclined to attend.
