Festival weapons ban draws criticism

SANDPOINT — The Festival at Sandpoint is sticking to its guns on its prohibition of firearms at the waterfront concert series.

The Festival has prohibited firearms at War Memorial Field since its inception in 1983 and organizers announced earlier this month that they were implementing enhanced security measures in order to honor contractual obligations to artists who are demanding tighter security due to rising incidents of homicidal violence at mass gatherings.

But the Festival’s firearms prohibition, though long in place, is prompting blowback from some local residents who argue their Second Amendment right and the right to defend themselves are being violated.

Kootenai resident Grace Bauer said she bought tickets to attend the Festival, but is skipping the event upon learning of the event’s ironclad policy prohibiting firearms.

“I decided not attend the Festival this year because I didn’t want to put myself in a situation with all the mass shootings that are happening. They’re happening in gun-free zones where citizens aren’t allowed to carry. If somebody were to come and attack, I couldn’t defend my daughter or my family or my friends,” Bauer told the Sandpoint City Council on Wednesday.

Bauer said the prohibition is contrary to state law because War Memorial Field is public property.

Cities and counties are forbidden from banning firearms on public property, according to Idaho Code.

Bauer suggested that the Festival renegotiate its contracts with performers to lift the firearms prohibition or move the event to private property.

Selle resident Craig Frick further argued that the weapons ban violates rights guaranteed under the Idaho Constitution.

“The Festival doesn’t have the right to negotiate away my right to carry a firearm on city property,” Frick said.

Frick said the city is opening itself up to a civil rights suit for every armed person turned away the Festival’s gates.

“It could get very expensive for the city,” Frick said.

City Attorney Will Herrington said the Festival leases War Memorial Field when it stages its annual two-week concert series.

“We will be supporting their rights as the lessee to govern who is admitted to the park and who is not admitted to the park,” Herrington said.

Herrington was not party to the lease negotiations, but believes city officials were well aware of the Festival’s weapons policy when the lease was approved.

“We simply leave it under their prerogative to not allow people with weapons to be on the premises,” Herrington said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.