At least ten people stood outside the convention center in Phoenix, Arizona where President Barack Obama was speaking on Monday carrying guns, one of which was a military type assault rifle. According to state law they were doing nothing illegal but it certainly made for a chilling sight. This is the second time in a week that such a display of arms has greeted the President at a public appearance and some people worry that a dangerous precedent is being set.
In Arizona it is legal to carry a firearm as long as it is not concealed, just as it is in New Hampshire where a man was observed to be standing in church grounds near the Portsmouth high school where the President held a town hall meeting to discuss his health care reforms.
The display in Arizona had, to many observers, a far more menacing tone than the display in New Hampshire. The man who was carrying the powerful AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over one shoulder refused to give his name when he was approached by Arizona Republic journalists but he did tell them that he was carrying his gun simple because the law states that he can "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.
Phoenix police detective J. Oliver said that they were monitored the man and his fellow gun-toters carefully, both for the President's safety and their own. "Just by his presence and people seeing the rifle and people knowing the president was in town, it sparked a lot of emotions," Oliver said. "We were keeping peace on both ends."
Fred Solop, who is a political scientist at Northern Arizona University, is concerned about the apparently growing trend. "When you start to bring guns to political rallies, it does layer on another level of concern and significance," Solop said. "It actually becomes quite scary for many people. It creates a chilling effect in the ability of our society to carry on honest communication."
He added that he had never before heard of anyone actually bringing a gun as powerful as an assault rifle anywhere near a presidential appearance before, "The larger the gun, the more menacing the situation," he said.
Paul Helmke who is president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a program named for James Brady, former White House press secretary to Ronald Reagan who was paralyzed by a would be assassin's bullet, agrees.
"To me, this is craziness," he said. "When you bring a loaded gun, particularly a loaded assault rifle, to any political event, but particularly to one where the president is appearing, you're just making the situation dangerous for everyone."
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Ban them.
ReplyDeleteAre they kidding? First off, An AR-15 isnt an assault rifle...that word has no meaning whatsoever. It is a gas operated, semi-automatic rifle. There are many hunting rifles that perform the same function and fire a larger caliber round. Second, I think this is a STUPID move on the part of these people. By displaying their guns at a rally, they are risking creating unconcious support for any proposed gun ban laws. If they wanted to hold a protest, thats one thing, even if they brought the guns and showed them off. Its completely another thing to stand around looking menacing outside a presidential convention. DUMB DUMB DUMB...and the reporting was bad. Get your facts straight about guns and stop leaning so much toward the anti-gun side in your reporting. You can see right through it. This is a fear mongering article and nothing more.
ReplyDeleteWho stated the gun was loaded? Where does it say his gun was indeed loaded? I seriously doubt if the man wanted to shoot the President that he would carry his gun in plain sight of the secret service.I did'nt vote for President Obama, but find him to clearly be a man really trying to do what's good for the U.S.A.Gun ownership is and always will be our right in this country!!! When a person threatens those rights, especially our commander in chief and the liberal dead heads that drag him down,people will exercise their right to bear arms. Not to threaten the President, but to show it symbolically .The liberal trash in this country are more dangerous to our country and the world!!!!
ReplyDeleteHard to think that the SS would let this happen period. I do not think I believe this one Mr. Brady.
ReplyDeleteWhile I wouldn't question the guy's right to carry, I must wonder about his judgement and plain horse sense. One's rights begin to thin out where those of others are challenged.
ReplyDeleteNO GUNS!
ReplyDeleteIts one thing to have one in your home, LOCKED UP. Its another thing that hateful lunatics carry them out in public.
I certainly don't want any of my family members around these small membered losers. We have the right to be safe too.
You have those jerks on TV pushing hate and paranoia and the gun people who listen to them. BAD mix. They are taking about health care, not gun rights. Put the damn guns away and learn to have a civil conversation!
the last person to wory about is the person opanly showing his piece.its the one hiding one you should worry about.
ReplyDeletehuh..go figure...law abiding citizens abiding by the law.......lock them up...who do they think they are!
ReplyDeleteThese people are ignorant and ignorant people with loaded guns are dangerous.
ReplyDeleteThis situation is the direct result of these "conservative talk show people like limbaugh,levin,hannity,gallager,the Midnight truckers dennis miller, anyone else.They are stirring up the "whirlwind of dissent among the people that don't care for the President and are On the "fringe" of society.If you took a look(google/bing) at the people lives ,you would see they are serious Losers,haters,probably never had contact with a"minority" let alone an African American and so think the only way to show their "misguided superority"and guilt is with a weapon. The second ammendment is for a well regulated militia to be armed NOT YOU CITIZENS TO TRY AND INTIMIDATE.LUKE 12:54-56 and 13:1-5.These scriptures are worth reading to understand the times we are living in. PEOPLE ,YOU WILL PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. THE MORE YOU ATTEMPT TO DESTROY THE GOOD ONES ,THE SOONER IT WILL DESTROY YOU .LET OUR PEOPLE ALONE!
ReplyDeleteThis is so discusting and embaressing. Okay so AZ isn't the most advanced state in the union, but that kind of behavior is absurd. And now these gun totin freaks can bring their guns into bars..sick..sick..sick.. If that isn't a good reason for the rest of us to stay home and watch tv what is? These are right wing nut jobs and they are dangerous and must be stopped. PLEASE
ReplyDeleteIt's the wild west.
ReplyDeleteLets have no complaints when gun toters get pre-emptively shot because of threatening posture.
How does Paul Helmke know the guns were loaded. And just for the record, an AR 15 (.223 Cal.) is not anywhere near as powerful as the average deer rifle. A (.223) is a .22 on steroids. Definitely capable of killing a man, but in the world of firearms generally considered a varmit calibre. I love it when reporters talk about firearms and obviously know next to nothing about them and don't bother to do any research.
ReplyDeleteAbout time some one showed initiative
ReplyDeleteAn unarmed society is an at risk society
ReplyDeleteIf everybody is armed people as a whole are more polite, making interpesonal relationships more polite. If because everybody is armed, people may have to back up hot words with hot lead.
People need to stop being cry babies. no one was threating anyone else.
ReplyDeleteGod bless the 2nd Amendment! The right to bear arms against a treasonous government...Smell the Revolution!
ReplyDeletewho cares its their right to bear arms and there is nothing illegal to it and because they werent menacing anybody this could be considered a non violent protest the gun does NOT make the event dangerous its the person behind it
ReplyDeleteI for one am 100% for civil rights, in the past the Whitehouse was open to all who wanted to talk to the president. Do you think at some point a gun was brought in as the citizens came in and out to talk to the president? If the people of Arizona don’t like the law then let them change it. Until that time comes let the people have their freedoms. No one is talking about the things we need to talk about and this is just a smoke and mirrors trick to keep the eyes off the real problems like what did the president talk about that day?? Can you tell me as I can’t find it. I would like to end this by saying that the 2nd amendment was put in place to give the citizens a way to defend the self’s, but more over to give us the capability to take back the government if and when the government is not flowing the will of the governed.
ReplyDeleteI for one am 100% for civil rights, in the past the Whitehouse was open to all who wanted to talk to the president. Do you think at some point a gun was brought in as the citizens came in and out to talk to the president? If the people of Arizona don’t like the law then let them change it. Until that time comes let the people have their freedoms. No one is talking about the things we need to talk about and this is just a smoke and mirrors trick to keep the eyes off the real problems like what did the president talk about that day?? Can you tell me as I can’t find it. I would like to end this by saying that the 2nd amendment was put in place to give the citizens a way to defend the self’s, but more over to give us the capability to take back the government if and when the government is not flowing the will of the governed.
ReplyDeleteI for one am 100% for civil rights, in the past the Whitehouse was open to all who wanted to talk to the president. Do you think at some point a gun was brought in as the citizens came in and out to talk to the president? If the people of Arizona don’t like the law then let them change it. Until that time comes let the people have their freedoms. No one is talking about the things we need to talk about and this is just a smoke and mirrors trick to keep the eyes off the real problems like what did the president talk about that day?? Can you tell me as I can’t find it. I would like to end this by saying that the 2nd amendment was put in place to give the citizens a way to defend the self’s, but more over to give us the capability to take back the government if and when the government is not flowing the will of the governed.
ReplyDeleteIts nice to see most of the people who left a comment are on the same side as I am. There is nothing wrong with what this man did! You have a right to bare arms and this is exactly what he was doing. This article is so far left, anti-gun it isnt funny. As for all of you saying "ban guns" I would like to see you come and take mine away!!
ReplyDeletewell south carolina must be backward also because in this state i can carry a long gun, rifle/shotgun, anywhere in the state except a secondary school or the state capital building and be legal.
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to bring a cannon next time
ReplyDeletewhy bring a gun if you didnt mean to use it.
ReplyDeleteI own a gun but I would use it only in self defense. I can't stand our gov. now but a gun where our president is should only be there to protect him.
I see these actions as being ostensibly about 2nd Amendment rights but actually sullen, angry grandstanding that poses a real threat to public safety and an implied threat against the President. The gun toters reflect the hatred spewed by right-wing media monsters, and I have a real fear that one of these days one of them is going to act out a murderous fantasy. These displays don't further gun rights, but threaten them, and I strongly suspect that had I showed up anywhere near a GW Bush or Dick Cheney rally with a rifle slung over my shoulder that I'd have been in deep s*** in a helluva hurry. For the record - I'm a firearms owner and lifelong hunter who believes the 2nd Amendment does grant individuals the right to bear arms. These guys are dangerous jerks, though, who are trying to provoke trouble. And there's a real risk that it will come.
ReplyDeleteCorrupt government needs to end. There are too many of you out there who have never fought for freedom, whether for us or others. If any of the Americans want Socialism, then they can easlily relocate to another country. Nobody yet, is keeping you here. I have never seen a gun run out and harm anyone. Do you think being gutted by a knife is less evil than being shot? American have been coddled for too long. I pray we don't find out what civil war is, but it appears the majority no longer rules.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember what comedian it was but his joke is sadly relevant in this instance and unfortunately in our current climate, to paraphrase he said when the Founding Fathers wrote the Bill of Rights and specifically the 2nd Amendment they didn't take into consideration the explosion of the population thus the gigantic "thinning of the gene pool". If they had they would have thought twice. Stupid, frightened, likely racist, uninformed or misinformed people showing up with guns is wrong. Their presence infringes on other peoples right to free speech.
ReplyDeleteAnti-Gunners, I guess you don't own a gun, oh so once a robber or a criminal knows that you are an anti - gunner and you have no weapons that makes you prime time bait. Get the facts. States that have Concealed permit holders have a lower crime rate, for example Chicago has one of the highest murder rates because they have you guessed it, no law to allow for law obeying carry permits, that I know of. Put up a no gun sign and here comes the rapist, muggers, killers, and so on for sure. Why you say, the criminals figure there will not be anyone who has a gun to protect themselves, the victim or prevent a criminal action towards someone else because law abiding citizens obey the laws and will not carry in a no gun zone. So, you anti - gunners next time you say guns should not be allowed, or banned think about your wife, child, mom, dad, grandmother and anyone else in your family who got to be a victim of a criminal and did not protect herself/himself or the person who has a CCW permit stops the crime from taking place or come home to a criminal stealing your stuff and the thug has a gun. In some states a person who legally carries can prevent criminal acts against other people. Anyone that carries legally does not want to hurt another citizen/person, they just want to protect other people as well as their families. Never count on law enforcement to be beside you at all times. Thugs run when they see a cop!!! and afraid of being shot by a law obeying person. The guy in this story was just standing up to is freedom. Thank the troops who serve and/or die for the freedom of the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI know of a park that a local government put up a no gun sign up and you would of not guessed it that is where criminal acts are being done on people by criminals.
Da Da!!
Oh, I forgot, anti - gunners you say you own a gun, WHY??? to show people the gun kills and not the person operating it!!! Oh I forgot again, sorry YOU PROTECT YOUR STUPID SELVES AND FAMILIES WITH IT!!!!! Or just keep it locked up for the criminal and hand it to them and say, "I will give it to you if you will just leave and don't shot me with it."
The caliber of the AR-15 is not the point. The point is it is semi-automatic. A lot of bullets vs having to load each bullet separately.
ReplyDeleteWe have the right to bear arms to protect ourselves from attack, like a war.
ReplyDeleteTo bring a gun to a gathering of citiznes where discussion is supposed to take place is down right insane. Why are they doing this? Because it's their right? Well, according to our first admendment, I have a right to yell fire in a crowded movie theater, but it wouldn't be a very good idea to do that.
It is scary to see these weapons, it doesn't matter whether they are loaded or not. Weapons should not be brought to town hall meetings or any other gathering.
Please express your dislike for the President's health plan in a more intelligent manner by explaining what you disagree with and perhaps some ideas as to what would be better. When the gov't comes to your house and puts a gun to your head to make you accept the new health plan, then you can bear your arms and fight back! But for now, leave the guns at home.
And as the for media: please stop focusing on foolish people. Report the facts on the health care reform issue so we can better understand what the issues are. Edward Morrow is spinning in his grave!
Has anybody here ever heard of "gun safty"? Has anybody here ever taken and passed a gun safty class? What is wrong with you hillbillys! Here are a few pointers:
ReplyDelete1)You consider ALL guns loaded weather you think they or not. Period!
2) ALL guns are dangerous weather loaded or not (how many people have died with unloaded guns in their hands?)
3) The presence of guns (especialy large numbers of them)in a crowded place increases the liklyhood of somebody being shot either by accident or through fear not to mention simple stupidity. Remember Kent State folks? or for you neocons how 'bout Ruby Ridge and Waco?
4) Who in the fuck honestly thinks that it's ok to walk around with a firearm near a venue that includes the President of the USA??? Just how long do you thing a black guy or a Latino would have lasted walking around outside a Bush rally with an AR-15? Remember the guy the Secret Service draged off for throwing a letter over the White House fence when Goober Pea wasn't even there?
Come on folks, get off your high horses and grow a brain! You have guaranteed rights as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others or endanger their well being. If your behaviour does that you are violating the rights of others. Toting an AR-15 in public definatly violates the safty and rights of thoes around you and is not legal, period
It is legal. This has nothing to do with the fact that these people are still jackasses.
ReplyDelete