Bob Bridge Dealerships

This happened on 10/25/2007 around 3:15PM.

I am still in the process of making contacts with Renton PD and making them aware of this little screwup. This is the same department who told me that they didn't need a training bulletin because they all knew it was legal.

Well, except for the two officers who stopped me. Oops.

I went into Bob Bridge Toyota/Scion in Renton to get my car service (quick lube and tire rotation). I was in the market for buying a new vehicle, and the top of my list is a Toyota Tundra (As many of you know I'm a big guy and the Scion that I own is slightly challenging of my frame).

Well, apparently one of the employees freaked out and was calling the cops. I was in the process of test driving with a salesman the Toyota Tundra when I saw two Renton PD cars drive into the dealership, I was driving away, but I knew that there was no way to avoid it. They were driving to all of the Bob Bridge dealerships to try to find me because they couldn't figure out who took me on the test drive. I eventually did go back to the dealership (nice truck!) and was dropped off at service. I saw the Renton Police car and things proceeded from there. They detained me for a total of thirty minutes, took my gun, unloaded it.

A few highlights:

1) They repeatedly claimed that City of Renton law prohibited carry openly. I told them to look in their state law references for RCW 9.41.290. They couldn't find it, I asked them for the booklet, they gave it. Talks a lot about RCW 9.41.280 and 300, but absolutely zippo about 290. (It's a red pocket book that tells of state criminal codes, I will be contacting the publisher and asking them to add 290 in the next print).

Considering it was Renton that caused RCW 9.41.290 to be passed in the first place, you'd think they would have taken a bit of special care. Of course, that was a generation ago, and the court decision which upheld their ordinance and got preemption passed, I was still in diapers. Besides, Renton Municipal Code had no open carry bans.

2) They tried to get me on breach of peace. I read out the ordinances definition of it and they didn't apply. Quite simply, they were trying to convince me to not carry openly. I wasn't falling for it.

3) They once again used RCW 9.41.270. When I told them about Casad and Maciolek, they were unaware of it. Essentially, I told them that there was at least two appellant court decisions protecting open pistol carry, along with the state constitution.

4) They read me my miranda rights. I was for all intents and purposes under arrest. I did not excercise my right to remain silent, however, because no purpose would have come out of it.

5) I have no issue recalling every detail, every moment, every word stated, in real time, and replaying it again. Take that how you will, because the proof is absolute.

6) Bob Bridge dealership ejected me from the property. They don't want guns at any of their dealerships by private civilians, and apparently support their employees making unneccesary 911 phone calls on work time. All Bob Bridge locations is now considered a "Do Not Patronize While Armed" location. They really want to lose a few thousand dollars per car not bought by gun owners, we'll attempt to convince them otherwise and start peppering their sales people who are desperate for money.

Along with Renton PD, I will be taking action against Bob Bridge Corporation. When one of your employees during work time commits an act that results in the unlawful detainment of someone, there is a concept of liability that goes along with it, and since they are not a government entity, there is no "immunity" in any way shape or form for them.