Man with assault rifle joins crowds outside president's Phoenix venue

This doesn't raise eyebrows in Israel.



Maybe if some of you stop bashing people on our own side, it won't be such a problem here in the United States.

Who knows maybe everybody carries ARs when shopping in Arizona.

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Hmm, I live in Michigan but maybe I should try that next time I go to get some ketchup.

I have found it rather interesting the number of individuals who have been permitted to carry assumedly loaded firearms within any distance of the POTUS especially at large venues. I personally believe that although we all like our RKBA the fact is that the POTUS is an extremely high profile target for many individuals who may or may not be US Citizens (If you doubt this I direct you to google the names Oswald, Boothe, and Fromme). I personally would not find it harassing or an infringement of rights if there was a "non-firearm" zone around the President at all times.

ArmedBear, it looks like those girls are in their pajamas at a bar somewhere.

If you have evidence proving otherwise, then please share, thanks.

those girls are in their pajamas at a bar somewhere.

If you have evidence proving otherwise, then please share

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What does it matter?

Its good he wasnt terminated by the Secret Service sniper who will do it with gusto. Dont be stupid, the President is ringed with the top guys whose job is to make sure he is safe and sound.

Keep the guns at home and watch TV. Or go hunting coyotes in the desert and try not to prove yourself .

You may not think so and many others here may agree with you, but I guarantee you, most people thinks this guy looks like a threat to the President. I'd respectfully suggest that, while we may all cherish our rights to keep and bear arms, common sense suggests that there are circumstances where openly carrying a semiautomatic rifle makes us all look like loons. This is one of them. The guy's an idiot.

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Yes indeed. What's next? Open carry of AR-15s at banks? In university classrooms? Outside abortion clinics or courthouses? These sort of crazies just provoke gun haters and alienate responsible gun owners.

Does anyone have a pic of this guy standing with his rifle?

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You can see a photo and video clip here.

This doesn't raise eyebrows in Israel.

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As you know, Israel is a different country and has its own, different, problems: e.g. suicide bombers. Apples and oranges, really.

Maybe if some of you stop bashing people on our own side, it won't be such a problem here in the United States.

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What side is that?

ArmedBear, it looks like those girls are in their pajamas at a bar somewhere.

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Apropos of nothing, just like your bizarre post challenging me to provide evidence of something for some reason, it sure looks like that to me, too, jake.

I don't particularly like our current Prez, but the fact remains that the carrying of a semi-automatic rifle at a presidential event conjures up a lot of bad images and memories, even for a right-leaning gun aficianado like me.

You may not think so and many others here may agree with you, but I guarantee you, most people thinks this guy looks like a threat to the President. I'd respectfully suggest that, while we may all cherish our rights to keep and bear arms, common sense suggests that there are circumstances where openly carrying a semiautomatic rifle makes us all look like loons. This is one of them. The guy's an idiot.

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Agreed.

As jakemccoy noted, this is exactly the sort of stunt that invites anti-gun legislation. Now that there have been two of these incidents reported in the past couple of weeks, we will likely see legislative proposals to prohibit weapons within xxx feet of the president. From there, it's easily extended to judges, legislators, you name it. All that this clown has done is to singlehandedly jeopardize all our rights. The gains we have made are extremely fragile, and this guy is creating a giant opening for the antis.

He has accomplished nothing positive.

As you know, Israel is a different country and has its own, different, problems: e.g. suicide bombers.

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And their answer to that is to have an armed populace.

That should be our answer, not the "gun-free zones" advocated by too people here. Our reaction shouldn't be indistinguishable from that of the anti's (if you think there's any danger somewhere, we must ban guns there).

You can disagree with me, but I think you're wrong.

ArmedBear said:

Apropos of nothing, just like your bizarre post challenging me to provide evidence of something for some reason, it sure looks like that to me, too, jake.

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uh, ok

I'm guessing you'd also get defensive if I wanted evidence that pic was from Israel.

CoRoMo said:

What does it matter?

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Well, if those girls are not in their pajamas, it would take the pic out the "too weird for comprehension" category.

Well, there aren't many suicide bombers running around in the USA (and thank goodness for that). Unless and until that sort of anarchy happens, there is no obvious case to be made for everyone going armed to the teeth at all times.

this is doing more harm than good

As gun owners, we already have a "threat" whether perceived or actual of loss of gun ownership, this type of stuff draws the wrong type of attention to gun owners. stop taunting, we have a lawful right to open carry, does that mean do it, when the situation dictates, both situations did not create practical instances for open carry, just stupidity in my opinion, asking for attention.

Guns in the hands of regular citizens need publicity. I'm all for it.

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I agree. But I question whether or not a Presidential event is the proper place to be doing that.

I'm guessing you'd also get defensive if I wanted evidence that pic was from Israel.

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I'm not defensive. I didn't see that your post made any sense, and I still don't.

If you care where the picture is from, I'm sure you've heard of Google. That's how I found it.

It's always been my understanding that the secret service doesn't smile upon people who carry guns in the presence of the president

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Soooo, then by your logic, they should be absolutely crapping their pants when a secret service agent is armed in the presence of the POTUS?

I personally would not find it harassing or an infringement of rights if there was a "non-firearm" zone around the President at all times.

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He has no more right to life and self defense than any one of us. The Constitution protects his Rights no less than it protects ours. Yes he is high profile, and a likely target, so extra caution by those protecting him is one thing. Infringing on every civilians right is another.

Wyman

ETA-

Unless and until that sort of anarchy happens, there is no obvious case to be made for everyone going armed to the teeth at all times.

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By the time that type of anarchy happens, "Armed to the Teeth" will mean a style of carrying an extra sharp stick.

Think about it, people, both of these OC events are most likely due to the fact that Obama has had an anti agenda. This probably wouldn't have happened during Bush's administration. Plus the groundswell of pro 2A has been building over the last few years possibly partly due to the increase in membership in this and other pro gun boards as well as an increase in CCW permits throught the country among other reasons. JMHO

I question whether or not a Presidential event is the proper place to be doing that.

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Exactly.

Responsible firearms usage should be showcased. E.g. target shooting, preferably with women and/or children involved. Good clean fun.

Not some guy with a scary-looking automatic rifle at a presidential event.

both of these OC events are most likely due to the fact that Obama has had an anti agenda

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Well, if he wasn't anti-gun before, he sure must be now. Guess those guys never heard of Dale Carnegie.

This guys behavior comes under the heading of "Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD do it!"

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if he wants to why shouldn't he is my question. sure it was politcally motivated but hes proving arizona is a bit free'r than NY or chicago. its to bad media ussually makes these guys look like crazies, whens its the poloticians that are the crazies that don't want us to be able to carry guns. i think its crazy that people look at me walking down a road or crossing to a hunting spot with my shotgun wierd, like i shouldn't be insight with a gun.

He has no more right to life and self defense than any one of us. The Constitution protects his Rights no less than it protects ours.

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Its not about protecting the President's life. It is about protecting the sanctity of the US political process. An assassin can subvert the will of the people.

Protecting the President has much more to do with preserving the Republic than protecting one man.

bigalexe said

I personally would not find it harassing or an infringement of rights if there was a "non-firearm" zone around the President at all times.

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So, you would not object to your 2nd Amendment rights being rescinded when the President is nearby?

How about your 1st Amendment rights? Would you mind if your freedom of speech were rescinded when the President was nearby? The TV and printed media people were not allowed to film or quote the President or anyone else within say, 500 yards of him?

Or your freedom of religion? Would you mind if there was a sign which said, "No Jews within 500 yards of the President?" Or "No Christians within 500 yards of the President?"

How about your 4th Amendment rights? Would you submit to a random strip search, without any probably cause, if the President were in town and you happened to be walking down the sidewalk of the street he was traveling on?

Why are we so quick to give up our rights? The only things I am willing to give up are those things which have no value to me. My liberty is very valuable. It is worth contending for.

As you know, Israel is a different country and has its own, different, problems: e.g. suicide bombers.

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Der, 9/11. If the United States took a page out of Isreals book we wouldnt have such a sissy society.

this is exactly the sort of stunt that invites anti-gun legislation.

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I dont agree I think stunts like Columbine are what invite anti gun legislation.


Aaaaaaand, publicity stunt or not, the guy was making a statement at the right place and time.

How about your 1st Amendment rights? Would you mind if your freedom of speech were rescinded when the President was nearby?

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It already has been.

Responsible firearms usage should be showcased. E.g. target shooting, preferably with women and/or children involved. Good clean fun.

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I agree.

And carrying in public, too.

Many Americans used to carry guns in public, and it was not a reason for panic. Somewhere, the anti-gun movement worked to shift that and to demonize gun ownership and carrying.

By normalizing gun ownership and the carrying of firearms again -- as it was for most of our history -- we can return to this.

By cowering in fear, as most of you are, we make sure there's no chance we ever will.