In Washington state, there’s a phrase in a new law that has a lot of people very concerned. The phrase is “here children are likely to be present.”

With some measures, this wouldn’t be a cause for concern. If it restricted registered sex offenders from places with kids, I don’t think most of us would complain.

The problem is that the bill doesn’t. It’s in a bill that prohibits the lawful carrying of firearms, and some are worried that it will make it virtually impossible to carry anywhere lawfully.

Gun rights advocates in Washington state are furious over a bill that would prevent weapons from being carried anywhere there could be children — when children are just about everywhere — effectively banning guns across the state.

The bill would expand the growing locations where guns would be prohibited in a state that is already considered to have some of the toughest gun laws in the country.

The wording “where children are likely to be present” could be considered just about anywhere, according to critics. The National Rifle Association claims the language is too vague and could block lawful hunting and recreational shooting.

“This overbroad language is indicative of the disdain anti-gun legislators have for law-abiding citizens and their desire to turn the entire state of Washington into a ‘gun-free’ zone,” the NRA said in a warning to its membership.

That is concerning, to be sure.

The problem is that it’s not quite what’s being sold.

Senate Bill 5098 prohibits weapons on the premises of neighborhood, community, or regional park facilities at which children are likely to be present.

Local governments would be required to designate park facilities where children are likely to be present and post signs to warn citizens that weapons are banned.

The legislation classifies park facilities where children are likely to be present include, but are not limited to, playgrounds or children’s play areas; sports fields; swim beaches or water play areas; teen centers, community centers, or performing arts centers; skate parks; and other recreational facilities likely to be used by children.

The bill would also prohibit the possession of firearms in government buildings and at county fairs.

Now, this is an overreach, to be sure, and the bill is problematic all on its own, but it’s not quite a blanket ban on concealed carry everywhere “children are likely to be present.” 

First, local governments have to declare particular parks as being covered under the law. Yes, it does give them the ability to declare other places as “park facilities,” which could be abused in oh-so-many ways, but it doesn’t just create a blanket gun restriction.

For example, restaurants aren’t covered. It’s also unlikely movie theaters will be deemed to be the same as “performing arts centers.”

There are still places that will likely remain untouched.

At least for now.

One of my many concerns with this bill, though, isn’t that it’ll ban concealed carry everywhere in Washington state, but that it’s the first step on a road that will likely end up there.

Any drop in violent crime will be interpreted to mean the law works, even if it also drops in places where there are no such laws. That means the anti-gunners will try to expand the list, and that may include striking anything with parks and just include anywhere kids might be present. That’ll leave bars and adult film theaters, pretty much.

See, I don’t see this as the doom the NRA reportedly does. I see this as a potential harbinger of that doom to come, which may not be as bad, but still isn’t anywhere near good.

The bill still needs to die and die horribly, preferably with the legislature taking the text and feeding it into a woodchipper on the legislature’s floor. Those who sponsored this abomination should be shamed to the point that they leave public life for the rest of forever and hopefully dig a small hole in the ground and live there for the rest of their lives.

Since none of that is going to happen, I guess I’ll settle for the bill just getting defeated. Unfortunately, this is Washington state. I’m not holding my breath.