Man carrying assault weapon attends Obama protest

[stevie_d_64]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PHOENIX (AP) - About a dozen people carrying guns, including one with a military-style rifle, milled among protesters outside the convention center where President Barack Obama was giving a speech Monday—the latest incidents in which protesters have openly displayed firearms near the president.
Gun-rights advocates say they're exercising their constitutional right to bear arms and protest, while those who argue for more gun control say it could be a disaster waiting to happen.


Phoenix police said the gun-toters at Monday's event, including the man carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, didn't need permits. No crimes were committed, and no one was arrested.

The man with the rifle declined to be identified but told The Arizona Republic that he was carrying the assault weapon because he could. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.

Phoenix police Detective J. Oliver, who was monitoring the man at the downtown protest, said police also wanted to make sure no one decided to harm him.

"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."

Last week, during Obama's health care town hall in Portsmouth, N.H., a man carrying a sign reading "It is time to water the tree of liberty" stood outside with a pistol strapped to his leg.

"It's a political statement," he told The Boston Globe. "If you don't use your rights, then you lose your rights."

Police asked the man to move away from school property, but he was not arrested.

--end snip--

Ok, I just wanted to post this, and let others run with it...

But suffice to say that this latest phenomenon I believe is being driven by some very clever people, who want this to become something that it is not, and the dupes in the media are shining through for them in this effort...

Notice that this particular guy is not identified...That tells me that his political affiliation is suspect, and that his background may reveal what I believe to be the true drivers of this issue...

But then again what do I know...

[DoubleJ]

Notice that this particular guy is not identified...That tells me that his political affiliation is suspect, and that his background may reveal what I believe to be the true drivers of this issue...

But then again what do I know...

I agree here 1000000%
I see nothing wrong with what this guy did, on the outside, but you look at what it actually accomplished, well, there's your motive right there.

[trig]

I think the best way to make a point with something like this would be to have a suited up Police Officer, Enlisted, and a plain clothes citizen stand together with the same assault rifles.

Sheeple are insanely stupid when it comes to guns, and they might need a little help putting two and two together.



There is always someone to prove they know how to excersize their rights. We need someone out there to call out the ignorance and bantering before it ever starts. Then when the media plays the same old games, the sheeple will see that they're being brainwashed.

[lonewolf]

IMHO, these folks are not representing us effectively. They are not representing me at all. There is no doubt with regards to my 2A support, but the last thing I would do is go strutting around with a gun making all the sheeple queasy and wary. Best in some cases to fly below the radar. There is a BIG difference between a gun supporter/enthusiast and a gun nut. It would serve my interest much better if we were portrayed as calm, cool, level headed people. Mainstream America types. Most of us really are just that.

All it would take is one nut job to show up and cause major problems for the general opinion of the sheeple to take note and raise Cain. Right now, what they don't know doesn't hurt them. Their choice. Next thing you know, some goober will show up to one of these things firing blanks into the air. Definitely not the attention we need.

Don't get me wrong, I support their right to open carry, but I prefer concealed carry as my option. Even if I did open carry, I would most assuredly not do it at a Presidential rally. Talk about fanning the flames........

They have a right to do what they are doing, I just hope we are not all lumped together. I can take care of representing myself, thank you.

[dewayneward]

the thing is, this guy (and others) are doing nothing wrong but exercising their right to open carry. If we had MORE people open carrying...then more people would be OK with it.

Ever notice the range of emotions a person goes through when they find out someone has a gun on them. First is a little shock, then apprehension, then they figure out it isnt going to jump out of the holster and "pop a cap" on its own, and then they are just fine with it and actually get interested in gun ownership.

Yea, I hope some whackjob doesnt try to shoot the president. That would be complete wrong and would not do the good guys a service at all, but we need to get the sheeple out there to understand that goodguys have guns and that we have the RIGHT to carry them. I am really starting to embrace the who "dont use it, lose it" mentality.

[nitrogen]

IMHO, these folks are not representing us effectively. They are not representing me at all.

Agree 100%.

The biggest enemy we have is not Pelosi or her ilk, it's us, that give them the ammunition to allow the rest of the sheeple to be scared.

[lonewolf]

the thing is, this guy (and others) are doing nothing wrong but exercising their right to open carry. If we had MORE people open carrying...then more people would be OK with it.

Ever notice the range of emotions a person goes through when they find out someone has a gun on them. First is a little shock, then apprehension, then they figure out it isnt going to jump out of the holster and "pop a cap" on its own, and then they are just fine with it and actually get interested in gun ownership.

Yea, I hope some whackjob doesnt try to shoot the president. That would be complete wrong and would not do the good guys a service at all, but we need to get the sheeple out there to understand that goodguys have guns and that we have the RIGHT to carry them. I am really starting to embrace the who "dont use it, lose it" mentality.

There is certainly something to be said for that mentality, but by getting a CHL, supporting the NRA and such, being organized and presentable, rather than confrontational or rudely outspoken I think we can accomplish much more. I support open carry as well. Since that is legal where they are, what are they protesting or raising Cain about? Now its an issue for them again. I would conceal legally before open carrying, because I don't want to be a target, but they are exercising their rights, as you say. It would be my preference that they exercise a little discretion as well. In their case, its legal. They should just go on about their day.

I wonder how many in the crowds were carrying concealed? Nice, quiet and polite, not drawing attention to themselves exercising a right they already have and use.....

I'm going to run out of 2 cents someday.

I'm not bashing you, so please don't take my comments personally. In all reality I think we share some common ground here.

[nitrogen]

Another thing I just thought of:

All this press about armed protesters at these events. How many mass shootings have we had at one of these protests?

[allinhtown]

aw, you beat me. thats what i get for getting into work late today :P

here is a cnn link to the same story: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/18/ ... est.rifle/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tornado]

Why do we keep letting the anti's control the language of the debate? There was no assault, therefore there was no assault weapon.

It was a rifle. Or if you need a clever name, it was a Sport Utility Rifle.

[bdickens]

Ok, I just wanted to post this, and let others run with it...

But suffice to say that this latest phenomenon I believe is being driven by some very clever people, who want this to become something that it is not, and the dupes in the media are shining through for them in this effort...

Notice that this particular guy is not identified...That tells me that his political affiliation is suspect, and that his background may reveal what I believe to be the true drivers of this issue...

But then again what do I know...

Maybe he is a very private individual like me. I would decline to be identified as well.

[joe817]

I already stated my opinion on the other thread(that I saw first instead of this one).

[dewayneward]

the thing is, this guy (and others) are doing nothing wrong but exercising their right to open carry. If we had MORE people open carrying...then more people would be OK with it.

Ever notice the range of emotions a person goes through when they find out someone has a gun on them. First is a little shock, then apprehension, then they figure out it isnt going to jump out of the holster and "pop a cap" on its own, and then they are just fine with it and actually get interested in gun ownership.

Yea, I hope some whackjob doesnt try to shoot the president. That would be complete wrong and would not do the good guys a service at all, but we need to get the sheeple out there to understand that goodguys have guns and that we have the RIGHT to carry them. I am really starting to embrace the who "dont use it, lose it" mentality.

There is certainly something to be said for that mentality, but by getting a CHL, supporting the NRA and such, being organized and presentable, rather than confrontational or rudely outspoken I think we can accomplish much more. I support open carry as well. Since that is legal where they are, what are they protesting or raising Cain about? Now its an issue for them again. I would conceal legally before open carrying, because I don't want to be a target, but they are exercising their rights, as you say. It would be my preference that they exercise a little discretion as well. In their case, its legal. They should just go on about their day.

I wonder how many in the crowds were carrying concealed? Nice, quiet and polite, not drawing attention to themselves exercising a right they already have and use.....

I'm going to run out of 2 cents someday.

I'm not bashing you, so please don't take my comments personally. In all reality I think we share some common ground here.

No, I dont take it as being bashed. I like the idea of open carry...because I really dont see an issue with it. I'd like to see it that a person that has a CHL can then OHL (is that even a word) if they desire. My point is that people are (incorrectly) scared of guns. If we had open carry and more people walking down the street with their sidearm, this crazy hysteria would go away. The "if it bleeds it leads" mentality would go away and the media wouldnt be putting these stupid articles in the paper anymore.

A buddy of mine lives in AZ and open carries all the time (when he decides he doesnt want to conceal carry) and no one bats an eye. In Texas (and I am still amazed that we dont have open carry), if we had open carry, after the initial media blitz of blood in the streets nonsense wore down, it would become a non issue.

I disagree with your comments about "rudely outspoken" and protesting and raising cain. Again, that is AZ, people open carry there ALL THE TIME. This guy was doing nothing wrong. For all you know he was walking down the street with his tools and the photographer snapped the picture. That is one of the things that ticks me off about the media. Even people that are friendly towards guns are getting bent out of shape over this. We have the RIGHT to open carry in AZ. Why should people have to have their rights taken away just because the president (who is suppose to uphold peoples' rights I might add) is in town? What am I missing?

[mr.72]

Actually, you have the right to open-carry an AR15 or any other rifle, or a shotgun, in TX.

I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like being arrested, but it is legal.

Not so with a hand gun though.

[Drewthetexan]

A buddy of mine lives in AZ and open carries all the time (when he decides he doesnt want to conceal carry) and no one bats an eye. In Texas (and I am still amazed that we dont have open carry), if we had open carry, after the initial media blitz of blood in the streets nonsense wore down, it would become a non issue.

I am surprised too. I was on a trip to Greece a few months back. I took a taxi from the airport and the driver, who was an older gentleman, asked me where I was from. "Texas," I said with a grin. His face lit up and he extended his index finger out and thumb up like a gun and made shooting sounds. I had to laugh because there was some truth in his impression, but I doubt seriously if I'd have gotten the same response had I claimed any other state or just the U.S. itself.