Listen to Dori Monson weekdays on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM
 Dori Monson


Most popular
Help us build a Fisher House
Bonneville Seattle is raising funds for the construction of a second Fisher House at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma and we need your help.

Oak Harbor Councilman Rick Almberg faces backlash after proposing gun ban

BY Jillian Raftery  on January 28, 2013 @ 4:29 pm (Updated: 5:47 pm - 1/28/13 )


It was alright for Lucas Yonkman to carry a weapon in Afghanistan, but Oak Harbor Councilman Rick Almberg thought it was inappropriate when he brought a licensed gun to a City Council meeting.

Now the Councilman's attempt to take away Lucas's gun has prompted backlash from gun rights advocates, and the mayor of Oak Harbor himself.

Lucas, an Army veteran who served for a year and was wounded by an IED in Afghanistan, told the Dori Monson Show that he carries a gun every day for protection; he has a concealed carry permit.

Lucas said that he didn't even plan on speaking at the meeting, but that he wanted to show the Council that it wasn't just dangerous people who carry guns. He was speaking in response to a city ordinance banning guns from city parks.

That city ordinance is illegal. In October the City Council got a letter from the Second Amendment Foundation that told them the law was in conflict with the Washington State constitution.

Changing the illegal ordinance was first addressed at a December 18 meeting, but was tabled by Council members. At the next meeting several people came to support the change, openly carrying guns. It was that last meeting on January 15 that Councilman Almberg proposed a motion targeting Lucas Yonkman's concealed weapon.

After hearing Lucas talk about carrying a gun, Almberg tried to pass a resolution to take it away.

"Well, I'm going to make a motion: if we have somebody who is in the chambers armed, it is not necessary. I'll make a motion that we ask them to check their weapon with the police chief," said Councilman Almberg at the meeting. "Or to leave the premises."

When the motion didn't pass, Almberg walked out of the meeting.

Lucas told the Dori Monson Show that he was surprised that Councilman Almberg targeted him with the motion.

"I kind of told everyone that I was trained with a weapon so they would be comfortable around me," said Yonkman. "I was glad that the motion didn't pass, and that they didn't try to put law enforcement in a place where they would be breaking the law by attempting to disarm me."

It wasn't illegal to carry a weapon in the building, and Lucas said he wasn't carrying his gun openly because he didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable: his weapon was strictly for personal protection.

"I had an issue with that," Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley told Dori. "That will not prevent the individual whom is going to commit a crime or unlawful act from barging in and taking us out."

Mayor Dudley called Lucas a hero, first for his military service, and secondly for standing up for his and others' second amendment rights. He disagreed with Councilman Almberg's response to Lucas.

"You don't walk out of a City Council meeting," said Mayor Dudley. "You still have a job to do."

Dori thought Councilman Almberg's questions sounded like an interrogation.

And to Dori the whole story was absurd: Councilman Almberg thought it was fine for Lucas to carry a gun and risk his life in Afghanistan, but objects to Lucas legally carrying a gun at home, after undergoing extensive training and background checks.

And Dori observed that Yonkman's motivation for carrying a weapon was the same in Oak Harbor as it was overseas: to protect himself and anyone else in the room who might be threatened.

Jillian Raftery, Social Media Captain
Jillian Raftery is a social media captain for the Dori Monson Show. She loves the neighborly vibe of the Pacific Northwest and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
Related:
More Dori Monson

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (25)


  • Add A Comment

  • BeenThere wrote...
    Mr. Almberg obviously suffers from gunaphobia.
    January 29, 2013 10:31 pm
    Seeing as they are trying to deny constitutional rights in parks, pass an ordinance that denies freedom of speech. It would make parks so much quieter.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    I think it's a phobia
    January 30, 2013 1:27 pm
    I think it's becoming a real problem with people throughout the country especially folks that don't have guns or never have had guns... there is a true fear of guns going around... it doesn't make any sense to me... it's a combination of metal and plastic and wood depending on the gun and it does nothing without a person behind it... they have been made to be the boogeyman and people believe they're in grave danger when they're around them... they aren't... you're in grave danger when an idiot or untrained person is messing with a gun... or a criminal... not a well trained person that's grown up with guns... I've never felt afraid of guns but i see people all over starting to feel that way... this coucilman is an example...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    At the very least, it is a bias or presumption of guilt.
    January 30, 2013 9:08 pm
    Almberg must have believed Lucas' concealed gun was suddenly going to discharge on its own or it was going break out from his chest, run across the floor and start killing people, akin to the Alien movie. Or he presumed Lucas to be guilty by association with intent to do harm just because guns are evil and the people who legally own them are too. If he can't keep down his nachos when he finds out people are simply abiding by State law and exercising their Constitutional right, he no longer represents the people.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • heavyshift wrote...
    Veteran, Schmeteran
    February 6, 2013 11:25 pm
    Just try walking into any courthouse in Seattle with a gun; open carry or concealed. Security will taze your a** right back to Appalachia.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }