One person's feelings might get people arrested

A new proposed law smells like tyranny.

House Bill 1283 would make it illegal for three people or more to open-carry firearms if someone else “feels threatened.” It would be a gross misdemeanor.

If a person in “any way participates” in threats or the use of “such force” against a person or property while open-carrying a gun in a group of three or more, then they face a Class C felony. That means the state strips them of their right to own firearms as a convicted felon.

The bill seems to be targeting the groups of legal firearm users protesting in Olympia. Many protesters at the Gun Rights Coal...