4th District Congressional Candidate Gets in “Scuffle” With Ephrata Police Over Firearms (VIDEOS)
Gavin Seim is an outspoken candidate for the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by Doc Hastings, and had an interesting encounter with law enforcement.
According to news reports, last week Seim entered the Grant County Courthouse by way of what is called an "unrestricted" lobby area open to all citizens. Before conducting his business he requested a weapons check or lock box to store his firearm. Seim has the necessary permits to carry the gun. He was at the Courthouse to pick up vehicle tabs.
Such boxes are legally required in County Courthouses, per Washington legal statute RCW 9.41.300 (Revised Code of Washington). The courthouse did not have one.
He returned his gun to his vehicle outside, then returned to ask about the box. At that time security called the Ephrata police, who forcibly searched Seim. Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones Gavin told Seim to see Ephrata Police Chief Mike Warren the following day. When Seim corrected Warren about the proper law regarding such gun boxes, and other citizens rights about firearms, he was physically removed from City Hall and criminally trespassed from the property!
The search by the Ephrata Police Department was recorded on video, and caused quite a stir on the internet. The videos are making their way across the internet, and creating quite a discussion about citizens rights, gun owner rights, and what some believe are increasing intrusions on citizens rights by government. (videos courtesy of Gavin Seim for Congress website).
The end result? After considerable public outcry, the County issued a statement Thursday saying they will get into compliance with the law, and install a legally-mandated weapons lock box at the facility. Seim is a very outspoken critic of government, and a staunch defender of what he believes are the Constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.
This video shows Seim being removed from the Police Chiefs Office.