Gun rights activists plan rally at U.S. Courthouse in Spokane

Gun rights activists from across the nation have announced their intentions to demonstrate in front of the Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse today in support of an Iraq War veteran arrested for possessing an assault rifle there about a week ago.

Anthony Bosworth was taken into custody and has told conservative talk radio stations he was held for several hours Feb. 25. A video of the encounter, posted on YouTube, shows federal agents confiscating Bosworth’s AK-47 rifle and 9mm sidearm. Bosworth, part of a group that protested Washington’s new background check law at a rally in Olympia earlier this year, was cited and released.

U.S. District Attorney for Eastern Washington Mike Ormsby said Thursday that Bosworth was cited for failing to comply with the directions of federal police officers. The infraction is a misdemeanor.

In advance of Friday’s planned protest, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Washington issued a news release today notifying the public about a recent rule change on courthouse property. A general order, signed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson on Monday, extends a firearms ban at the courthouse to the grounds surrounding the courthouse and adjacent U.S. Post Office.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich came to the scene after Bosworth was arrested to help prevent the situation from getting out of hand, he said.

Knezovich said he won’t be in attendance today. He said the Spokane Police Department and federal officials have contingency plans in place.

Bosworth has said in subsequent interviews he was taking part in a rally at the courthouse to protest the Justice Department’s firearms charges against marijuana growers, the Kettle Falls Five, whose trial ended Tuesday. The jury acquitted the three remaining defendants in the case of four of five charges, including the firearms charge.

Bosworth, a former candidate for Yakima County sheriff, and his group, Liberty for All, have announced the rally will last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Protesters have stated they want federal authorities to return Bosworth’s guns.