A Bellevue-based Second Amendment group is now requesting leniency for a former city councilwoman accused of stealing two of their pro-I-591 signs she claims was in retaliation for the theft of her own signs supporting an opposing measure on the Nov. 4 ballot, but only if the 74-year-old publicly apologizes.

Police responded to the home of Margot Blacker on Oct. 13 after an I-591 sign was reported stolen on the 2200 block of 140th Avenue Northeast. A witness reported seeing a woman taking the sign and putting in her car, and an officer matched the license plate to a vehicle owner by Blacker, according to a police report.

Blacker served on the Bellevue City Council from 1990 to 1997. She reportedly told police she stole two I-591 signs after 15 of her I-594 signs went missing, believing they were taken by the Bellevue-based Second Amendment group, the Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and Protect Our Gun Rights.

I-591 is a measure that would prevent guns from being seized without due process and prevents background checks from being implemented unless such a law were established by the federal government. The opposing measure supported by Blacker, I-594, would require background checks for all firearms purchases in Washington, including from private owners and at guns shows.

The police report states Blacker told an officer she contacted the CCRKBA about her stolen signs, telling them she would steal 15 of their I-591 signs and return them to their office in response to her belief the organization was behind her missing I-594 signs.

Police contacted representatives from the CCRKBA, who denied stealing Blacker’s signs and confirmed their desire to pursue charges against the former city official. They also denied ever receiving a call from Blacker regarding her intent to take their signs, the report states.

In a release on Friday, the CCRKBA states its chairman, Alan Gottlieb, is now asking the city attorney’s office to show Blacker leniency, “but only on the condition that she publicly apologizes for her action, promises not to do it again, and that she makes a contribution equal to or in excess of her I-594 donation, to LifeWire, a Bellevue-based domestic violence organization.”

Gottlieb is also asking the I-594 campaign to condemn Blacker’s actions and return any donations she’s made to its campaign or donate it to charity. If the campaign does not take either of these actions, Gottlieb states in the release it would signify its approval of Blacker’s alleged actions.

The police report states probable cause exists to charge Blacker with third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. Each sign is valued at about $5. Blacker has yet to return a call from the Reporter for comment, which will be added to this story, if it becomes available.

Original Story

A former Bellevue City Council member could face theft charges for allegedly stealing pro-I-591 signs she told police was in retaliation for the theft of her own signs supporting an opposing measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Police responded to the home of Margot Blacker on Oct. 13 after an I-591 sign was reported stolen on the 2200 block of 140th Avenue Northeast. A witness reported seeing a woman taking the sign and putting in her car, and an officer matched the license plate to a vehicle owner by Blacker, according to a police report.

Blacker served on the Bellevue City Council from 1990 to 1997.

She reportedly told police she stole two I-591 signs after 15 of her I-594 signs went missing, believing they were taken by the Bellevue-based Second Amendment group, the Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and Protect Our Gun Rights

I-591 is a measure that would prevent guns from being seized without due process and prevents background checks from being implemented unless such a law were established by the federal government. The opposing measure supported by Blacker, I-594 would require background checks for all firearms purchases in Washington, including from private owners and at guns shows.

The police report states Blacker told an officer she contacted the CCRKBA about her stolen signs, telling them she would steal 15 of their I-591 signs and return them to their office in response to her belief the organization was behind her missing I-594 signs.

Police contacted representatives from the CCRKBA, who denied stealing Blacker’s signs and confirmed their desire to pursue charges against the former city official. They also denied ever receiving a call from Blacker regarding her intent to take their signs, the report states.

The report states probable cause exists to charge Blacker with third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. Each sign is valued at about $5. Blacker has yet to return a call from the Reporter for comment, which will be added to this story, if it become available.