Guns at Obama Protest Scare Folks, but Cops Say No Laws Were Broken

By Ray Stern Mon., Aug. 17 2009 at 4:50 PM

Categories: News

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Colt AR-15 similar to the one carried by an Obama protester today in Phoenix

A man carried an AR-15 assault rifle across his back to the Phoenix Convention Center, where President Barack Obama spoke today. Fortunately for gun-rights advocates, the armed dude was an African-American, a fact that's bound to reduce the tone of criticism in the media.

The man, identified in the Arizona Republic only as "Chris," told the media he brought the heavy weaponry just because he could. Indeed, Arizona law (in addition to a handgun he also carried) was on his side.

About a dozen protesters of Obama's health care plan packed heat openly, according to reports.

What would happen if people on both sides carried guns to a heated protest? Obviously, in situations like that, it might only take one wise guy to kick off a war.

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ar-15, armed, assault rifle, colt, firearm, guns, health care, obama, president, protest

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Hey Andy So you oppose Socialism? Huh, Why do you hate OLD people, and people who are disabled? Yep Social Security is Socialism Why do you hate the Sick and injured or elderly Vets? Yep VA hospitals is Socialism So if you are out of work you do not want unemployment payments sent to you? Yep Unemployment insurance is Socialism So you do not want bankruptcy protection? yep bankruptcy court is Socialism You don't like City fire and police services? yep state funded services like those is Socialism You don't like postal service? You don't like city/ state funded road repairs? You don't like the state and national parks or the park rangers. You don't like Public toll free roads? You don't like public schools? YOU WANT TO PAY FOR YOUR KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL? People anything that you get the benefit from and is paid for by your various taxes is Socialism. Andy says "An armed society, is a polite society". Really? So you really feel that the Iraqi militias are polite? Hezbollah is polite? the KKK is polite? The IRA is polite? Fatah/PLO is polite? The Mafia is polite? the Russian mob is polite? WOW you have a very weird sense of what is polite.
Funny, when they interviewed him, he said he hoped he scared Obama because he HATES Obama. The venom with which he spit out the words spoke volumes. I would have respected his 'protest' far more had he simply remained silent.
I noticed a lot of the ignorant comments from the left who are calling the free, armed American citizens at these events "rednecks" and the sort. What is really funny is that the guy who had the AR-15 was BLACK! He was a black guy! Dressed in a pressed white shirt and slacks. The media also tries to portray "militia" groups as "rascist" when in fact there are many black conservatives in militia groups. Ignorance is bliss...untill the brown-shirts start to march. Its amazing that some people are opposed to their own freedom when it comes to firearms.
I noticed a lot of the ignorant comments from the left who are calling the free, armed American citizens at these events "rednecks" and the sort. What is really funny is that the guy who had the AR-15 was BLACK! He was a black guy! Dressed in a pressed white shirt and slacks. The media also tries to portray "militia" groups as "rascist" when in fact there are many black conservatives in militia groups. Ignorance is bliss...untill the brown-shirts start to march. Its amazing that some people are opposed to their own freedom when it comes to firearms.
I noticed a lot of the ignorant comments from the left who are calling the free, armed American citizens at these events "rednecks" and the sort. What is really funny is that the guy who had the AR-15 was BLACK! He was a black guy! Dressed in a pressed white shirt and slacks. The media also tries to portray "militia" groups as "rascist" when in fact there are many black conservatives in militia groups. Ignorance is bliss...untill the brown-shirts start to march. Its amazing that some people are opposed to their own freedom when it comes to firearms.
I noticed a lot of the ignorant comments from the left who are calling the free, armed American citizens at these events "rednecks" and the sort. What is really funny is that the guy who had the AR-15 was BLACK! He was a black guy! Dressed in a pressed white shirt and slacks. The media also tries to portray "militia" groups as "rascist" when in fact there are many black conservatives in militia groups. Ignorance is bliss...untill the brown-shirts start to march. Its amazing that some people are opposed to their own freedom when it comes to firearms. If the oppostion is armed, -maybe the SEIU thugs etc. will think twice before trying to intimidate the American people with beatings, as has been reported.
These people not only carry to preserve their god given rights to freedom, but also for protection! ACORN and Union thugs sent by Obama have been reported as beating up opposition health care protesters! Obama via ACORN, SEIU and other union thugs have been commiting violence towards people opposed to Socialism. Maybe now they will think twice before trying to strong arm the American people. "An armed society, is a polite society".
These people not only need to carry to preserve our god given rights to freedom, but also for protection! ACORN and Union thugs sent by Obama have been reported as beating up opposition health care protesters! Obama via ACORN, SEIU and other union thugs have been commiting violence towards people opposed to Socialism. Maybe now they will think twice before trying to strong arm the American people. "An armed society, is a polite society".
if someone would have shown up within 2 miles of a shrub appearance with a gun, they would have been branded a terrorist and hauled off to gitmo....
@Mike Wells Don't be a chode. He's exercising his right to Open Carry. Period. They were exercising their Constitutional right to bare arms. He was making his own protest, as this country allows. The hippies and mass unemployed who protested Iraq were causing damage. They also cost US, the Taxpayers, millions of dollars a day with the cities that were shut down as a result of their freeway sit-ins and damaged property. This guy was peacefully demonstrating and not costing us anything. While the 'monrons' protesting the Iraq war went about it in a way the hurt taxpayers by draining millions of our dollars. That's the difference between these two. There is also a huge difference between brandishing a firearm and openly carrying it. These guys weren't brandishing them. They didn't have them at high ready while glaring down the president. They respectfully stood in their camps, Pro Obama guys with that group, Anti- Obama with theirs. Nice and peaceful. To say its 'too easy' to escalate to violence is a very jaded view of a stereotype on what your big scary view of how gun owners tend to carry themselves. Have you ever been to a range or gun club? I don't think you have if you seem to believe we're all riff-raff. Especially the ones politically motivated enough to know their rights and demonstrate in this fashion. Those guys were probably the 'most informed' people in the crowd. I believe people like you, who claim to have some weight by throwing in 'well I guns so..' and expect us all to swoon. Your grandpa's 20gauge bolt action shotgun, and .22 revolver are nice I'm sure. And I'm sure when told to do so, you'll be the first in line to turn them in. Like a good little sheep. Politicians have run away with our country. Decisions are made against the will of the people that drive our national debt up, while making wall street bankers richer. Did I mention the Federal Reserve is a private company setup to syphon profits off the interest accumulating from our debt? Yeah, good stuff huh? But alas, Obama tried to push this Health care reform on us in 4 weeks when the man took 6 months to pick the family dog. We as a country are becoming complacent with what rights we have, and openly losing interest in the fight to keep them. Such a hot topic as this is a brilliant move to shine a spotlight onto the issue of Constitutional rights and how we have the right to choose. The comparison as I stated before is that this Health care bill will strip us of these rights with no discourse. You will not be able to 'opt out' of insurance without paying increased taxes. So now we want to give the government the right to force us to have insurance? Also check out how awsome Canada is doing with their Health care, the costs are out of control. Why not learn from that and instead of repeating their mistake, figure out a new way to fix the problem? The fact that we're now here even discussing this, more actively that we ever would have unless there was this epic headline shows that their protest in fact works. People who don't care about Health care but care about gun-control are now discussing their views on it. Now we just need to audit the Fed, and ask Obama why he isn't backing it ( HR 1207 )when a huge part of his campaign was about transparency, and we'll see some real CHANGE. Not this Mickey Mouse bullshit that never actually gets anything done.
Mike Wells, You had me going with your arguments until you decided to show your religious bigotry. Kinda detracts from your arguments when you make false generalizations about a large disparate group of people. Good luck with that attitude bro.
I smell a new gun law on the horizon. All of you gun nuts should be dumping garbage on this idiot's front lawn, because he's going to be the one responsible for you losing yet another gun right.
>"Wow, Mike Wells, what you've taken the time to say really makes sense. I just hope you realize who your intended audience is and have a realistic expectation that they (1) have the ability to read and (2) are able to read quickly enough to keep up with your writing, and (3) have someone to explain to them what you've written. :-)"> LOL, I know it's a little like pissing into the wind... >"If a person is within that zone they are being watched and will be 'removed' for conversation if needed."> Ahhh, but the 'protective zone' will definitely be extended when people show up with rifles instead of pistols. >"No, safety is NOT the issue. It's meant as an 'in your face' statement to whomever thinks gun laws are needed."> I think the whole 'In your face' thing is pretty stupid too, since we are currently debating Health Care and NOT gun laws, but there's no explaining the simple stuff to these people, as you pointed out already... Oh well, at least this is taking away attention from the gay-bashing morons in charge here in Utah... :)
There is really no need for the in your face statements carrying weapons to the event. It may not surprise people in AZ that this happens except for recent transplants. What strikes me as kind of funny is that they made CNN, etc. Now New Englanders have two views of Arizona. They have the "Toughest Sheriff in America" keeping law and order (allegedly) and enforcing all the laws all the time. On the other hand they have a band of militia folks showing up armed to a Presidential speech. Even though there is only one assault rifle known, assumptions will be made that others were similarly armed. Most likely, handguns were quite prevalent even if assault rifles were not. To spread our joy of firearms cost us not a dime. To spread our Sheriff's self image, we spent millions of $$$$. Maybe Joe could get rid of his PR department and just sling an AR-15 over his back?
Wow, Mike Wells, what you've taken the time to say really makes sense. I just hope you realize who your intended audience is and have a realistic expectation that they (1) have the ability to read and (2) are able to read quickly enough to keep up with your writing, and (3) have someone to explain to them what you've written. :-) [["1. You can't say you need it there for 'safety', because every cop in town is already there."]] *No, safety is NOT the issue. It's meant as an 'in your face' statement to whomever thinks gun laws are needed. [["2. There is too much chance for a heated political argument to end with an unarmed opponent dead."]] *More likely an innocent victim, as opposed to one of those involved in any conflict or 'heated argument'. Such as those we read about who are injured or killed by a stray bullet shot during a 'drive by' shooting. We all know that projectiles are non-discriminant. They don't care about age, race, sex, or anything else. They hit and injure or kill. [["3. All you have to do is move the thing around because it's hanging uncomfortably, and a bunch of eager-beaver cops and SS guys are gonna pin you to the ground and take you to a nice cell for a few hours, and it would be perfectly legal, why would they wait for you to actually point the gun at the President?"]] *There exists a protective zone that the Secret Service is concerned with when protecting a dignitary, whether it's President or Vice-President, or a member of Congress. If a person is within that zone they are being watched and will be 'removed' for conversation if needed. [["Lastly, what is with some of these gun nuts?"]] *That says it all. Gun nuts. [["You dipshits give gun owners a bad name, and do nothing but shore up the stereotypes already out there."]] *Fortunately most of us gun owners don't feel the need or compulsion to assert our 'rights' by carrying heat in public where it can be seen.
Seriously, guns at a political rally? What a bunch of tools. I like my guns, I own two, and plan on buying more, but I don't feel the need to bring them to a poliitical rally, there are just so many reasons: 1. You can't say you need it there for 'safety', because every cop in town is already there. 2. There is too much chance for a heated political argument to end with an unarmed opponent dead. 3. All you have to do is move the thing around because it's hanging uncomfortably, and a bunch of eager-beaver cops and SS guys are gonna pin you to the ground and take you to a nice cell for a few hours, and it would be perfectly legal, why would they wait for you to actually point the gun at the President? This is completely idiotic. The irony is that these are all the same people who asked when people were protesting King George's invasion of Iraq 'Don't you people have jobs?' They also called protesters 'morons', 'pussies', and every other name they could think of. NOW protesting is 'OK'? I don't get it. Lastly, what is with some of these gun nuts? I've not heard Obama say he's planning on banning anything, yet because of these panicky freaks, ammmo supplies dried up just when it was time to go to Crossraods of the West and get a good deal. You dipshits give gun owners a bad name, and do nothing but shore up the stereotypes already out there.
Sorry, but I fail to see the connection between guns rights and healthcare reform. Because there isn't any relevancy between the 2 issues. Simply put--if Obama is so incline to remove our private gun ownerships, I wouldn't have my own AR-15, Vietnam era M-16 collector item and many other firearms. But because we still have our guns and Obama has stated that we can keep them, then I don't see the need to panick and retort to being a fraidy-KKKat by losing your minds like a rabid nut from the fringed Right. I'd be happy to join Obama SS and round up these racists KKKrackers who could be the future McVeighs and Weavers. At least I will be doing my part in protecting Freedom, Democracy and saving innocent American lives. The domestic terrorist inbreeds are the ones that need to be captured as ICE is capturing illegal aliens. To rid society of dangerous nimrods who can't control themselves.
Sorry, but I fail to see the connection between guns rights and healthcare reform. Because there isn't any relevancy between the 2 issues. Simply put--if Obama is so incline to remove our private gun ownerships, I wouldn't have my own AR-15, Vietnam era M-16 collector item and many other firearms. But because we still have our guns and Obama has stated that we can keep them, then I don't see the need to panick and retort to being a fraidy-KKKat by losing your minds like a rabid nut from the fringed Right. I'd be happy to join Obama SS and round up these racists KKKrackers who could be the future McVeighs and Weavers. At least I will be doing my part in protecting Freedom, Democracy and saving innocent American lives. The domestic terrorist inbreeds are the ones that need to be captured as ICE is capturing illegal aliens. To rid society of dangerous nimrods who can't control themselves.
What is funny is the rednecks out there are to stupid to realize that the Democrats are staging this to rally support for gun control. Our local organizer has been trying to find people to support this cause for weeks unfortunately he can't find any gun owners in Seattle willing to participate.
@UniBlogger The connection between Gun Rights and this Healthcare 'reform' being rammed down our throats is that they're both 'Rights' issues. There's a reason this Health care proposal is being labeled socialist. Because the rough form it is in now that Obama desperately wanted passed NOW, will remove people's rights to choose the plan they want 'without a penalty'. Some people who can afford care will take a reduction in the quality of their care, and/or their premiums will rise. Read the current proposals now and you'll see. Employers forced to provide care? No 'opt out' clauses. 3% increased income tax if you don't have Health care? Come on. Remember what happened when the majority of America was screaming NO to the TARP Bailout back in Winter 08? What did the politicians do? The voted NO, then were forced to vote again and again and again until a YES vote was rammed down a screaming public saying NO. That's the point of this now. Many people are concerned that we're no longer being represented but are being taxed. 'Taxation without representation.' Do you think your elected officials really have your interests in mind? Did you support the bailout in Winter 08? I know I didn't. A lot of this is media hype to draw attention away from the REAL issue that America should be addressing: HR 1207. How can a bill to Audit the Federal Reserve, that has enough co-sponsors to pass immediately, be blocked by 4 politicians and why hasn't ANYONE asked Obama why he isn't supporting it? Oh right, because evening out everyone's Health care is more important than addressing the FACT that a PRIVATELY OWNED BANK controls the flow of money in America WITHOUT HAVING TO ANSWER TO ANYONE in the US Government. By carrying a rifle to something as locked down as the President speaking in public, being protected by rights granted by the Constitution, these people are showing America that we have rights that not even the Secret Service can remove. And sheds light on how powerful the Constitution and how much power, we the people, really have. So do people expect to fight the Gov't and win? Not in that sense. It's more like, will the elected officials we have now, resign and allow a complete overhaul of the government peacefully, if the PEOPLE go through the legal means to do so. Peaceful regime changes have occurred in truly democratic countries. What happens when the gov't supposedly for the people and by the people, stops listening to the people? What happens when the system is corrupted from within and is designed to line the pockets of private bankers and the power elite so they can RULE the people instead of SERVING the people? Oligarchy vs. Democracy is what this is about.
If these cowards are such big men why not say their names ?
Live free or die! Personally I'm abandoning the country when Obamas SS start rounding people up, but if I don't make it out I sure the hell won't give up and live in his death camps feeding the ovens with my lifeless country men. You can have that job uniblogger.
Forgot to include my screen name on the above post @10:58.
I guess what I don't understand, David, is what the health care debates have to do with gun rights. I just don't see the connection. What rights are you giving up by NOT showing up at a public meeting cocked, locked, and loaded? I'm all for fighting the government if there's a good reason -- by peaceful means. But if it comes down to some government vs. citizen shootout, that's all you brother. Have at it. Hope you fare better than those folks at Waco.
Yeah, your right uniblogger it would be better to just give up our rights as citizens than to fight the "US government". What was I thinking?
I don't have any problem with guns, in fact I own a few myself. But every time I see these clowns armed to the teeth in a crowd like that I wonder how easy it would be for some nut to snatch that pistol out of the holster and start shooting. If it can happen in a court room -- and it has -- it can happen in a crowd of protesters, especially while the gun owner is distracted. It just seems dumb. There's a time and a place for everything. Also, I guess I'm missing the point. It's not like these meetings are about gun control. Even if they were, do these people actually think they could take on the US government in an armed battle? And win???
Just to point something out: The security isn't nearly as concerned about the weapons they can see. They are worried about the ones they can't. If the time is taken to sift through all the Liberal Anti-Gun media leaning reports on this topic and get to an article or two that actually interviewed law enforcement, you'll read they were watched, but not really considered serious threats. But alas, this story is being presented in the mainstream as 'Omg, he can do that?' while those who support it are apparently nuts. It's cool if someone wants to be a victim, that's their right, just don't make that decision for the rest of us please.
Hey Bigchris here's a nice little Tauraus PT22 that New Times is selling. It's small and compact and illegal in NYC, but getting arrested and not stabbed 4 times doesn't sound that bad. Only $200.00 <a href="http://phoenixnewtimes.backpage.com/SportsEquipForSale/_200_pt22_taurus/classifieds/ViewAd?oid=6155106" rel="nofollow">http://phoenixnewtimes.backpage.com/SportsEquipForSale/_200_pt22_taurus/classifieds/ViewAd?oid=6155106</a>
It seems to me that there are a lot of ignorant people on here. I'm sure you would be speaking a different tune if a criminal puts a gun to your head and steals your money and makes you feel like a weak little shit. I've personally been in a situation where my life was almost taken just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just for you haters I do not look for fights and I don't try to act like a tough guy. I am a Navy veteran of six years with years of weapons training. I do wish I had a gun when I was randomly attached back home in NYC and stabbed 4 times. Maybe you should think twice before making such inflammatory comments. It could happen to you.
Gun ownership isn't limited to the Right or to a single political party. Anyone without a previous KKKriminal offense or records can legally own weaponery of their choice. I, a Native Nationalist own several firearms and I am not a member a wing-ding political party. I am an Independent registered voter and a proud member of federally recognized sovereign tribal First Nation. And a Constitutionalist defending my Constitutional Rights against that Constitutional rapist--arpaio the tyrant. My dad was a Vietnam Vet and former PD, eventually a Tribal Police officer he is a true patriot but not the inbreed type of patriot like the ones supporting arpaio the tyrant. So I have grew up around guns. I am a member of the NRA and a heavy supporter of the right to bare arms. But unlike the ghastly hordes of ineffable racist KKKrackers who bring their classic 6ers at children's marches, family gatherings and protest. I do not display my weapon just for the sake of public amusement or attention. I am a resposnible gun holder with a valid CWP. But will proudly show it to the saguaro sandbillies who support the (Sheriff) to show them that we are fully armed. So lock and load. Time to protect our Constitutional Rights from that tyrant arpaio.
Mr. Q, you make a good point. But I can tell you the Secret Service folks had a red light on the back of the head of everyone there seen with a gun, or thought to have a gun. Just because they were allowed to walk around with them doesn't mean they weren't considered at least a passive threat. However, the one's to really worry about are those whose guns weren't seen or known to exist.
The amusing irony of the armed protesters is that they are making an excellent case for Obama defending their rights. Under Bush such public presidential events were highly controlled and you can bet that Cheney would have rounded up anyone with a gun and shipped them to Gitmo under terror provisions without even a stop at the secret court. I love America, land of self-righteous incongruity. .
[[:pwhited says: No, but I've seen ads on the internet for those weird pumps. Maybe one of those would work for you. Worth a try, anyway. You seem pretty worried about it."]] Why the heck were you doing looking for those pumps in the first place? No, I'm not the least worried about it, honestly. Just makes me wonder. I carried a gun every work day for 20 years and it never gave me a rush. I also worked with some folks who got a certain smile on their face when they touched blue steel. Go figure. I just thought I would poke folks like you in the ribs and get their sensitivities going. Apparently it worked. If your equipment is working ok, you needn't have responded with your silly pump comment. The MCSO sheriff is mentally ill.
Why does anyone need to carry a weapon on a city street? there is a related post at <a href="http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588" rel="nofollow">http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588</a>
Heavy weaponry? That's funny there.. You obviously know nothing about firearms. .223 is hardly a heavy weapon, and I'm not talking about how much one weighs. Heavy weapons companies are carrying large caliber machine guns and mortars. But you have to go for the scare tactic, of course. And I really like the "one wise guy to kick off a war" comment. You can bet that the people carrying firearms openly at these events are in the crosshairs of a scope the entire time. The S.S. isn't going to allow any of those weapons to be taken from their holsters or pointed at anyone.
TommyC asks: "Does it make the male member bigger or harder when one carries a gun in public?"......... No, but I've seen ads on the internet for those weird pumps. Maybe one of those would work for you. Worth a try, anyway. You seem pretty worried about it. Guns won't do it though, no. Try the pump.
Hey Stoler coward, there's nothing "straight" up about you. What's the matter...can't you get it up? Obviously not! Little pervs like you compensate by carrying guns and talking tough. Anonymously. Nobody's impressed. You're just some scared, pathetic little weenie who makes empty threats over the Internet, right?
If every one carries guns to a protest it would be a pretty peaceful protest... Wouldn't it? Gotta go I'm looking at a really cheap AR-15 for sale on on New Times Back Page...
Why? Does it make the male member bigger or harder when one carries a gun in public?