Who brings a hand gun to a Cease Fire March with children around...

Went to document the Cease Fire March and saw this man making a video of the event with a handgun strapped to his leg. The little girl holding the sign did not notice it. Quite a poignant moment.
Just in case you wondered how he could have this gun strapped to his leg...here is the Washington State facts about carrying a firearm in Washington State...(1). Washington is an "open carry" state for firearms. This means a person may carry a firearm in an exposed holster without any kind of permit unless there is something that makes it specifically illegal. (For example, carrying a weapon onto primary or secondary school grounds or other prohibited places, or carrying a weapon by most felons or anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime.)
Did he have to carry it to this march? This is what I question!
Ban Assault Weapons in the U.S.

[Mike McCarty]

Interesting combination.

[Henriette Sparkes]

What a shot...this needs to be published! I agree with you, there is no way that he should have carried this to the march. South Africans had to hand all firearms in over a period of 3 years. It was practically impossible to retain a firearm, only under very special circumstances. If the laws re firearms in Washington State were applied here, it would turn into a disaster.

[Kathy A]

This is amazing! How can this be allowed!

[Elizabeth Hanna]

I'm glad that we don't allow this at all. Scary picture.

[Constance Brinkley]

@elizabeth I agree a scary picture indeed! We need to make a change in the U.S.

[Phil Howcroft]

oh dear speechless !!!

[Paula]

Great capture!

[Rick Schies]

Some people just do not think, but then a few years ago we had a big stink locally where a Mother had her handgun seized when she was wearing it to her kid's soccer game. That fight went on for at least a year and a half. I think they finally voted in her favor that she was allowed to carry it. I don't think the fight was about her right to carry it, the bigger question everyone was asking was, why have it around your waist at a child's soccer game, unless you're a police officer?

[Janna Dawn Goldrup]

Irony in the extreme!

[J A Byrdlip]

Looks too square, might be a taser.

[Constance Brinkley]

@byrdlip You could be correct...the question remains...was it necessary to bring this to this march...

[jenny tucker]

Wow........just wow....and i love the solemn look on the girl's face.

[Mick Porter]

Mmmm, from most other countries looking in it's all a little hard to comprehend!

[stephanie dp]

that is an incredible image you captured. such a contradiction. you should send that in to the newspaper. really poignant.

[marianne bourland]

represents the issues so well. :-(

[Lisa]

Fave, great juxtaposition and documentary shot. I saw this on the news and thought you might be there. Well done.

[Maaikel]

Amazing World Press Photo for Constance this tells so much!

[Laura J.]

Powerful image!

[Paula]

This offends my sensibilities to the very core. I'm glad we're on the same page!

[Anita]

I'm shocked! The realation to firearms in this country is something I really cannot comprehend. In what world does an awful event, like those that have happened recently, result in more guns being bought? Madness!