In 1969, the Washington State chapter of the Black Panther Party gathered on the steps of the capitol building in Olympia, protesting a measure that would have made it illegal to intimidate others with guns.
In 1969, the Washington State chapter of the Black Panther Party gathered on the steps of the Capitol Building in Olympia, protesting a measure that would have made it illegal to intimidate others with guns. Washington State Archives

Remember last month, when (mostly white) crowds gathered on the steps of the Capitol Building in Olympia to protest Washington State's new gun-control law? As the secretary of state's new "Archives Treasure" series points out, it's not the first time gun owners have shown up in Olympia and told the government to keep its hands off their rifles. (Though in 1969, the context was, um, a little different—as was the view from the Capitol steps! So many trees!)

Ah, 1969.
Ah, 1969. Washington State Archives