As the Obama health care program continues to descend from debate to debacle, increasing attention is being given to a handful of activists who have attended protest rallies openly carrying firearms, leaving some television reporters and commentators having to acknowledge there is nothing illegal about it, though later in the day Tuesday, CNN was reporting that an interview with one armed man was staged.
When I wrote about MSNBC’s Chris Matthews joining in the vitriolic attacks on gun owners here, and about anti-gun bigotry here, it brought the hoplophobes out of the proverbial woodwork. At least a few of these folks were not shy about displaying their prejudices, to the point of race baiting, which – thanks to an incident in Phoenix on Monday – has now left them with feet firmly inserted in mouths.
One respondent to my column of the other day, identifying himself as “Frank,” challenged supporters of the man who carried a pistol to Obama’s Portsmouth, N.H. rally by asking, “Would it be appropriate for black and hispanic (sic) people to be allowed to openly carry guns everywhere in public, as well as to Town Hall meetings with Republican Congressmen?”
Probably to Frank’s astonishment, the firearms community did not froth at the mouth after a well-dressed African-American man showed up in Phoenix carrying an AR-15 slung over his right shoulder, muzzle down near the place where Obama addressed the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars convention. He was calm and matter-of-fact when interviewed by a CNN reporter.
No American politician, including the president, should have any apprehension about sitting down with a legally-armed citizen, or attending a public meeting attended by citizens who are carrying firearms.
Frank and his ilk may have been even more perturbed to read that a spokesman for the Secret Service acknowledged the fact that people were openly carrying firearms near previous Obama events, but did not jeopardize the president’s safety.
One of the more balanced reports about the Phoenix event appeared in Tuesday’s The Daily Voice, which touts itself as “Black America’s Daily News Source.” Surprisingly, or perhaps not so, the Daily Voice was one of the few news sources that actually identified the race of the rifle-toter. Other news outlets avoided mentioning the man’s race. Why?
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Alan Gottlieb squared off against the Brady Campaign’s Paul Helmke, whose own hoplophobia bubbled up when he observed that armed citizens attending a presidential event were, in his opinion, “not a healthy situation.”
One is compelled to demand of Helmke details of the mayhem that these armed citizens caused.
Oh, there was none? Not to worry; that’s never stopped anti-gunners from manufacturing hysteria about armed citizens in the past. Indeed, the armed black man did not appear to have anyone in the crowd alarmed.
The other day I wrote, “No American politician, including the president, should have any apprehension about sitting down with a legally-armed citizen, or attending a public meeting attended by citizens who are carrying firearms.” I stand by that statement.
Interestingly, the firearms community seems to be mixed about this. Some see open carry at an Obama event as a foolish political stunt, others defend it; proof positive that gun owners represent a broad spectrum, that the firearms community is diverse – certainly moreso than the gun prohibitionist lobby.
Mayor Barrett out of hospital
Milwaukee, WI Mayor Tom Barrett is out of the hospital and on the mend at home after a serious beating Saturday evening near the Wisconsin State Fair.
Barrett intervened in what turned out to be a domestic dispute, and ended up getting beaten by a 20-year-old thug using what is now being described as an expandable police-type metal baton. He suffered a broken hand, some lost teeth, cuts to the head and lip, and lots of bruises. It could have been worse.
Barrett actively opposed a concealed carry measure a couple of years ago, helping keep Wisconsin as only one of two states in the nation without some kind of carry law. I wrote about his encounter here, and columnist Amy Geiger-Hemmer discussed it here.
Barrett now knows firsthand the kind of savage attack that can befall any citizen in a state where bad people know that good people cannot legally arm themselves against a criminal attack.
The mayor’s intervention took moxey, to be sure, and with a busted hand to prove it, he evidently got in at least one good lick of his own. But a metal telescoping baton can be a lethal weapon, and it is well past time in Wisconsin to level the playing field.
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Comments
But according to the talking hairdo's it's OK to stand out in front of a polling place with a billy club in your hand threatening people who come to exercise their right to vote...
Note that not one of the libtards remarked that all those good folks "legally" carrying guns that nobody got shot. Common sense thus leads us to enforce our beliefs in freedom that guns are not the problem; it's whether responsible people have them or not.
That will not happen at my polling place one can be certain of.
I wonder if the good Mayor Tom Barrett has a different frame of mind about self defense since his skirmish with a dangerous uncaring perp wielding a deadly weapon?
A perfect example of the Hoof-in-Mouth disease may be found at www.digitaljournal.com/article/277855 where the author states: ... "... The rationale that was used by one man interviewed by the AP is flimsy to say the least, suggesting that somehow his freedoms were under attack by this President and the right to bear arms in Arizona was one of the few remaining. This paranoia is a perfect example why some researchers may be correct in diagnosing racism as a disease. ..." ...
The 'racist' in question is, indeed, the black man with the AR-15.
Way to go Lou Dobbs!
The gentleman executing safe "Open Carry" made a perfect political statement, showcasing the RIGHT to bear arms. We need many more instances of safe open carry, to desensitize the public. We currently have 30-40 years of do-gooders screaming about how unsafe they think it is to carry firearms, which has colored the public's attitude. Let's execute safe open carry in as many venues as possible, thus proving the do-gooders wrong TO the PUBLIC. Then maybe we could start getting some of the gun-panic-induced firearms laws rolled back. I disagree with Mr. Gotleib on the point that this was an inappropriate political statement. Otherwise, as pure self-defense in a crowd, a concealed handgun is better, as he said.
Helmke tap-danced like the corrupt politician he is. Nuff said!
"Shall not be infringed" means what it says - and pre-emptive laws are unconstitutional, too!
I openly carry an XD .45 all day, every day, everywhere I go. I have done so for years. I carry cards to hand to those who ask me why I carry a gun. I have others to give to any business that might ask me to leave. (only one so far)
I am an ambassador for the right to life, liberty and property - not just gun rights. They must all be kept together.
Please join me in exercising these rights... all of them, all the time. Carry if you feel comfortable doing so. Support those of us who do if not. Just remember that a concealed gun does little to help others understand THEIR own right to life and liberty.
I agree that 2A supporters should start Open Carrying at every opportunity in order to desensitize the public to seeing firearms in the hands of peaceable citizens. I agree that it should be legal to carry at any event in any location (except possibly a courtroom). I don't think it wise right now (even though it's legal) to carry openly at political events in light of the high level of emotions. However, I have and will continue to attend these events carrying a concealed Kimber .45 because I will not allow an SEIU/ACORN thug to "get in my face and push back twice as hard." They can attend and protest but they better stay out of our faces and keep their hands to themselves lest they be given the opportunity to meet their maker earlier than expected . Nex ut Tyrannus!
Dave, I believe it’s time to start planting seeds in the minds of people for the repeal of gun control.
In 1994 gun owners gave control of the House to the Republicans and got nothing for it after promises to repeal the Brady Bill NICS
Gun owners and patriots alike need to put their foot down this time.
The gun laws are going too repealed and the BATF is either going to be shut down or redone.
NO more David Olofson’s, Reds trading post or KT Ordnances
Will you begin writing (planting seeds) for the repeal of gun control and getting rid of the BATF in your writings?
I live in WI and much to the dismay of the anti-gun crowd the state AG just ruled that open carry is very legal. I went out and bought a holster for my S&W 9mm. So if some one had been open carrying no problem. BTW, about 15 years ago a woman was killed in front of her child at a fast food place(with a 12 ga. shotgun), when the criminal was asked why he picked her "I didn't think she'd have a gun"
Jim, that's not just an isolated sentiment, either. There's federal studies floating around which ask prison inmates about things like target selection, and avoiding armed civilians is always listed very high in their priorities.
You know, it may be time to revive an idea that has kicked around in the pro-rights community for years and never really gotten off the ground. A national Open Carry day. Just pick a day, and call for all gun owners to show their support by legal open carry for the day. There may never be a more opportune moment to launch such an idea.
Ya know, Dave, there's a very interesting statement by Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan in that CNN piece. He says that a presidential appearance is a federal site, and guns are not allowed there. Oh really? On what authority? We already have it established that the Second Amendment is binding on the feds - if DC can't restrict RKBA arbitrarily, neither can the Secret Service.
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