Kitsap County’s request for injunction denied in gun club lawsuit

Published 4:13 pm Friday, November 5, 2010

Kitsap County’s request for an order to temporary close the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club was denied in Pierce County Superior Court Oct. 28.

Judge Susan K. Serko said a preliminary injunction was not appropriate because the county did not meet legal requirements for her to approve the request, including being able to show it will prevail at trial.

Serko sought a trial in March in which she will be able to hear from witnesses such as neighbors to the Seabeck gun club and members of the club.

Serko said safety is a concern and that she would sign an order that the two parties would need to write allowing the county to visit the club and inspect the facility. She asked Deputy Prosecutor Neil Wachter and the gun club’s attorney, Brian Chenoweth, to write the order. If the two cannot agree, Serko will come to a resolution on a hearing scheduled for Nov. 12.

Kitsap County Prosecutor Russell Hauge filed the lawsuit against the gun club in September for alleged nuisances after neighbors of the range filed complaints.