Video: People bringing assault rifles to Obama rallies now
posted at 7:51 pm on August 17, 2009 by Allahpundit
And maybe not just people on the anti-Obama side, either. CNN reports seeing at least two AR-15s at today’s event in Arizona, one of which was carried by a guy standing among those waving “Reform Now” signs.
As I’ve said before, it’s a security risk and a de facto provocation to the other side. And having the right to do it is no more of a justification than bringing porn to a meeting with the president would be. Exit question: Why?
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That is my point exactly. Some jerkoffs thought free speech meant the right to act stupid, and the government had to impose friggin common sense.
Those who love the 2nd amendment have enough respect not to act like jerks about it.
MobsterinVA on August 17, 2009 at 9:45 PM
As for the commenter above who believes that AR-15s are “easily convertible” to fully automatic fire, as a long-time hobby gunsmith I beg to differ. While it is possible to convert many types of semi-auto firearms to fire fully automatically, it requires a modicum of skill and knowledge not widely possessed…
novaculus on August 17, 2009 at 9:20 PM
cozmo on August 17, 2009 at 9:45 PM
3) A 2A support photo-op, wherein the group notified the local police ahead of time about.
Ding ding ding, I win.
Enoxo on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Another thing… When Army ROTC or Marine options in Navy ROTC do stuff with M-16′s and M-16 mock-ups people have freaked out. “OMG, there are guys in camouflage and guns and stuff. Must be irate gunmen!”
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Maybe you should go sit at the kiddie table with MobsterinVA, because that has nothing to do with this discussion.
Wolftech on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
And link
daesleeper on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
That is what you are really saying.
doriangrey on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
You don’t play catch with knives because you are free to
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
If no no else responded, because they are in uniform. Off duty they carry concealed. And to those talking about police carrying, we EXPECT them to run toward the shots fired or other incidents. Think they ought to take a weapon?
califdreamnred on August 17, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Wrong. It’s the reverse. They are telling us it’s wrong to exercise our 2nd Amendment rights when a situation is “tense” (and I question whether it really is as tense as they claim), which violates our right to do so. To obey is to play into their hands.
atheling on August 17, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Then you should have no problem with the AR-15 guy, because his 2A group notified police ahead of time, and checked in / stayed with the police liaison for their photo-op.
I know, how irresponsible!
Enoxo on August 17, 2009 at 9:47 PM
If I had to be in a dangerous situation, I would much prefer that someone responsible were packing heat, and I would gladly volunteer for the task. Given my druthers, though, I avoid the dangerous situation in the first place.
Like I said above, I live in Virginia. If I were opposed to people carrying firearms, I’d have stayed in Maryland.
hicsuget on August 17, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Thanks for the update. I’m in Austin and there is a smoking ban with a couple of bars grandfathered. But even in the non-grandfathered spaces you can still smoke on outdoor patios if the establishment chooses. It makes a huge difference since tons of bars and restaurants have outdoor space.
I’ve cut way down too, mainly due to lifestyle changes, but it still gets me steamed, on principle.
Missy on August 17, 2009 at 9:48 PM
You know your right no robberies/rapes/murders are ever committed in public, I should just leave my gun at home.
F15Mech on August 17, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Fine, if we`re going to take weapons to these rallies, we better make sure the other side fires first.
ThePrez on August 17, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Possibly the worst analogy I’ve ever seen, about anything, ever.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM
And if no police are around, you’re screwed. You shout help, no one responds because they aren’t carrying. You shout fire, they show up in droves.
Some society.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Playing catch with knives or barebacking (lol) don’t exactly help you protect yourself from tyranny or mortal threat do they?
daesleeper on August 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Ahhh! So much open carry!! My mind is about to EX-PLODE!
:-)
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Don’t forget to keep it torn apart and separated away from the the ammo. You wouldn’t want it accidentally going off while it’s mandatory stored in your gun safe.
Enoxo on August 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Maybe you should go sit at the kiddie table with MobsterinVA, because that has nothing to do with this discussion.
Wolftech on August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Sorry you can’t see the parallel
dorian
don’t put words in my mouth
it’s not about fear
holy crap
it’s about not being a moron and having some sense of appropriatness
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Or no one ever gets attacked by purple shirted union thugs at these rallies, either…
/s
Wolftech on August 17, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Kinda stupid thing to do at a rally featuring the president. Just one car drives by and backfires….you’re a dead duck because of the lack of a tune-up. I’d nominate him for a Darwin Award.
GarandFan on August 17, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Well, I can see my welcome at HotAir was short lived. Back to the “kiddie table” where people don’t act like morons.
Enjoy watching your country tip into war.
MobsterinVA on August 17, 2009 at 9:50 PM
So we have the fundamental right to own, use, (and in some states) carry loaded firearms…. but do not have the fundamental right to having a healthy population via subsidized health care options for those who can’t afford private insurance?
LOL
Ok…. got it….
welcome_ghosts on August 17, 2009 at 9:50 PM
atheling on August 17, 2009 at 9:47
you haven’t been to many rallies have you
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
You must have missed the comment about ‘riding his girlfriend raw’ earlier…
Wolftech on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
What an almost totally useless video clip. It could have been over as soon as they reported that some people showed up with guns. The rest was just two guys bsing about it.
Daggett on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
So far you haven’t constructed a single argument. All you’ve done is use bad analogies and ad hominem attacks.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
True. I was just saying that it was a case of a U.S. politician shot at by someone openly carrying.
Yeah, I was being a smart-alec… so sue me. :)
malclave on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Your other arguments are meaningless. We disagree.
I will address this one.
IF the police see a guy walking in downtown Phoenix with an AR-15 slung over his shoulder, yes, I want them to ask who he is and why he is walking around with a gun slung over his shoulder. Asking questions does not infringe upon somebody’s rights. I was asked a whole lot of questions in order to carry a gun. The 2nd amendment, just like the 1st is not an absolute right without limitations.
azkenreid on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
No rguement, only responding to why police open carry. You yell help, I’m with you…but I’m carrying concealed.
califdreamnred on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
So by being defiant in the face of their bias against gun owners by showing no regard for some ones fear,will the uninformed public be sympathetic for us or them?
McBride on August 17, 2009 at 9:52 PM
What do you mean? We Muslims always bring guns to rallies. Don’t you want to be like us?
Aleph on August 17, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Correct.
Limerick on August 17, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I repeat,,, Black Panthers bring nightsticks to a political event,, it should be OK for you to bring a gun to your political event.
Just sayin what The One says.
JellyToast on August 17, 2009 at 9:53 PM
No, you quite clearly do not.
hicsuget on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
If you consider people calling you on fallacious arguments a request to leave, then that’s your problem. Maybe you should learn not to refer yelling fire in a crowded theater as a right, when it isn’t.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
In one way, I think it’s the greatest thing ever. It’s showing that guns aren’t bad and the more comfortable people are seeing guns, the better.
But boy, this could go SO bad, and there is nothing the “good guys” will be able to do to control it.
What if an assassin uses this opportunity to take a shot at Obama, or heaven forbid, actually kill him.
ALL gun ownership rights will be GONE in about one day. I wouldn’t put it past anti gun groups to get somebody to wave a gun (whether loaded or not) around in order to “light the match”.
darwin-t on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
^This. And for those here that are afraid the Left will use this to demonize the health care bill protesters; shame on you for rolling over on your constitutional right in the face of a little name-calling.
dugan on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
1) I had a concealed carry permit (“had” because I’m now in Illinois).
2) My problem is with the AR-15. I think AR-15′s are fine to have, but they are not very practical for defending yourself. I mean where the heck do you hide/carry that thing? “Uh, excuse me? Before you stab me, let me bring my AR-15 out, pull the slide to put a round in the chamber, and could you, uh, move back several feet so I can actually shoot you?”
3)BTW, thanks for completely ignoring what I was saying and turn it into “I hate guns”.
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Lol! He accidentally swerved into the truth for once.
daesleeper on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I’m sorry you can’t read
if you can’t see why it’s irresponsible to do things like that
you are hopeless
threads like this make me ashamed to be part of the onservative movement
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I am going to have to agree with this logic.
I have a concealed to carry and quite an array of guns from AR’s to AK’s,hand guns from HK’s to Colt’s.
I love to shoot and would fight like he!! to protect our 2nd amendment rights.
I would definitely choose not to carry at an event such as this where there is a large amount of security and most of the repercussions of my having a gun there would probably be bad.
But this is my “personal” decision based on “my” opinions and beliefs.
These people by law have the right to do what they are doing and apparently even contacted police before hand to avoid law enforcement problems.
I just don’t see how this helps further the health care debate or diffuses the already 24/7 cycle of Obama opponents being viewed as “racist,crazy,extremist”.
I protested against many anti-war zealots and was able to handle liberals physically and protect Vets without needing a gun.
I will do the same 9/12 if the union idiots or liberals try to get physical.
Once again,this is my personal opinion and not a judgment of people acting within the law.
I just think we should keep in mind what is best in tackling the socialization of this country(this rally was about stopping government run health care, not 2nd amendment rights) and beating back the state run media that is pushing this without providing them ammo that will run 24/7 with the “crazy right wingers” logo under guys carrying AR’s at political rallies.
This is the kind of stuff the media is ignoring while they play the “guys with AR’s” clip 24/7:
SICK!… ABC Says Hate Groups Thrive at Town Hall Protests– Ignores Violent Attacks on Anti-Obamacare Protesters!!
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/sick-abc-says-hate-groups-thrive-at.html
More “Hope and Change”
Handicapped Woman Cries After Assault By Union Thugs at Town Hall (Video) … Update: Woman Speaks Out on Being Stomped On
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/handicapped-woman-cries-after-assault.html
If people are worried about getting assaulted at these meetings, then let it be known that when someone is attacked, they are attacking all of us and then beat the crap out of them.
We don’t need guns to do this,just balls.
Baxter Greene on August 17, 2009 at 9:55 PM
So “shall not be infringed” is not an absolute right?
And with your words, we go back to the old argument of where you think those limitations should end.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 9:55 PM
WRONG, if you’re a damned moron you shouldn’t have a gun in the first place. Responsible citizens aren’t moron who are going to just fly off the handle with no justification and start shooting up a crowd.
The manner in which you are suggesting that no citizen can possible be responsible at a political event is disgusting and insulting to say the very least. Just stop already, you are making a fool out of yourself.
doriangrey on August 17, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Yup. Sophomoric.
atheling on August 17, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Oh
and fossten
my analogies are about freedom and it’s inherent need for responsibility
I’m not arguing against being able to if you are able to
I’m arguing for prudence
you’d KNOW THAT IF YOU READ
but you do not
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Fair enough. Would if I could. However, since I can’t, and have to open carry, I fully endorse it.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 9:57 PM
O.k. Let me get this straight:
On ONE side we have those who advocate responsible gun ownership and the responsible carrying of guns.
On the OTHER side we have people who think the 2nd Amendment is a concealed carry permit.
(O.k. that’s a gross over-simplification. But it’s a fun one to make.)
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Nothing says don’t tread on me better than a chainsaw.
Hening on August 17, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Carry THAT thing around! That would actually be kind of cool.
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Comments like this call into question whether you are actually in the conservative movement or not.
doriangrey on August 17, 2009 at 9:58 PM
A nightstick != an AR-15, but I seem to remember quite a few people around here that freaked out about the nightsticks. Weapons are protected by the constitution, there should be nothing illegal about carrying either. It’s still unwise to bring them into a heated discussion in an attempt to provoke. They already said they were brought “just for the photo op”–provocation was exactly the purpose.
jonknee on August 17, 2009 at 9:58 PM
I wonder how many posters here even live in an open carry state. But there is no safer place to be when people are openingly carrying. It’s the one’s that carry it hidden with no CCW that you have to worry about.
John Doe on August 17, 2009 at 9:59 PM
You have either been playing too much doom, or your name is Ash.
daesleeper on August 17, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Just make sure the other side fires first, o.k?
ThePrez on August 17, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Listen to Madison! Madison knows fallacious arguments and hyperbole on account of personal history and heredity.
Cheshire Cat on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 PM
How do you define “arms,” Madison? Does the 2nd Amendment protect private ownership of howitzers? Tanks? ICBMs?
hicsuget on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Allahpundit – you’re a feckless moronic coward.
America exists despite the existence of pathetic weaklings like yourself.
Crawl off and die in some suitably emasculated corner somewhere in NYC….close to where miserable others are apologizing for the crater at ground zero.
You are a patriotic abortion.
LimeyGeek on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 PM
You already said that, and it was stupid the first time.
Enoxo on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Maybe if you used a little diction, punctuation, and sentence structure, instead of posting like Rosie O’Donnell, you might have a smidgeon of credibility with which to argue that someone else cannot read. But since you OBVIOUSLY cannot write, what difference does it make whether or not I can read YOUR posts?
Furthermore, “if you don’t get it you’re a moron” isn’t an argument.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Got your back and am muey stealthy.
califdreamnred on August 17, 2009 at 10:01 PM
And you don’t need to carry an assault rifle around to prevent a mugging.
jonknee on August 17, 2009 at 10:01 PM
We need armed patriots at every event.
LimeyGeek on August 17, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Obama has been saying that if “they bring a knife, you bring a gun.”
WallStreetJournal: Right there baby!
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/14/obama-if-they-bring-a-knife-to-the-fight-we-bring-a-gun/
That guy was just following Obama’s advice.
JellyToast on August 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
It wouldn’t hurt?
daesleeper on August 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Sign me up to the political movement that defines itself based on whether or not you can open carry a firearm! Wooooooo guns guns guns! Without my guns I can’t defend my other rights! [that worked out so well for Ruby Ridge tax cheat guy].
Here is my Bill of Rights for the Gun Party:
1.) Freedom to own guns carry guns 24/7 it’s a gun party!!!
2.) Freedom to do whatever because we got guns
welcome_ghosts on August 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Lazy, tired old argument. The personal military weapon of the day back then was a musket. Today’s personal military weapon is a handgun or rifle. Do a little research before spouting your rhetorical questions.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
An armed society is a polite society.
.
Let me get this straight, though:
.
Conservative-minded BLACK man Kenneth Gladney gets beaten by a bunch of union thugs for selling Gadsden flags. We all decry it, except for liberals who clap with glee knowing that somebody who doesn’t buy into their racialist bull$hit has been beaten. Leftist politicians keep calling protestors “evil” and that saying socialist is coded racism, so we’re all demonized as evil Nazis, like Pelosi said.
.
Gladney can be beaten by liberals, because he’s been sufficiently demonized.
.
Conservative-minded BLACK man here carries his BLACK rifle to keep from being beaten, and that’s a bad thing? So far, the left here has made any non-leftist black man out to be a race-traitor worthy of beatings by union thugs yelling “n*gger”. So a guy takes his rifle and that’s a problem?
.
Y’all have seen Gladney getting beaten, right? Y’all have seen the union thugs pushing people around, fighting them, and beating them? Y’all have seen the ACORN professional agitators show up and threaten? Y’all have heard the President say “PUNCH BACK” and “GET IN THEIR FACES”?
.
And you would deny a man lawful use of arms to defend himself? Or say “no, you should act submissive and just get beaten like Gladney did?”
.
An armed society is a polite society. That’s why this guy didn’t have any trouble. He didn’t get beat, he didn’t get shoved, and the union thugs and the professional ACORN agitators realized they’d better not attack him.
.
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding on what to have for dinner. LIBERTY is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
—
F15Mech – They’ve accomplished individual battles – no small thing. The NRA and its state branches have done much more for 2A. If you’re pro-gun and don’t like the NRA, then join it and say why – like it or not, they’re top dog fighting for 2A rights. I love the JPFO and the GOA, but the NRA has millions of members, plus state associations as allies – and all of that brings numbers to bear on politicians. Too often folks get mad at the NRA for dumb reasons (or their acquiescence on some specific issue) without remembering they’re big and yes we do need them.
—
And if I just assumed a lot, and you’re just saying “they did a lot”, then disregard my last. It’s directed at those who are cranky with the NRA and ignore it, disrespect it, or demand more from it than it can manage, while maligning the NRA and yet still thinking something out there will protect their 2A rights as broadly (and I’m well aware the NRA has done some dumb things, too – no rose-colored glasses here).
CPL 310 on August 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
You are nothing but a troll. Try saying something substantive to the discussion, or please, go jump off a cliff.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
O.k. Here is my conservative gun right bonafides:
I like the movie RED DAWN.
Question that!
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 10:03 PM
You need an assault rifle to stop your ‘government’ from mugging you.
….and to stop the moronic human herd from stampeding liberty into the dirt.
LimeyGeek on August 17, 2009 at 10:03 PM
LOL…based on this thread we should have the Earp brothers showing up at any moment.
Come on, folks. We have two basic groups here…
Both fully support your right to keep and bear arms.
One group believes that means everywhere for any reason.
The other group believes there is a time and a place.
For that we are now going to throw folks out of the conservative movement?
Limerick on August 17, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Another ignoramus who doesn’t know the facts wants to show off his sarc tag.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 10:04 PM
David?
David…. Koresh? is that you?
welcome_ghosts on August 17, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Why was it stupid?
ThePrez on August 17, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Well then the next time you see someone open-carrying in VA, chances are they know the laws better then you (and some police depts) and I guarantee you have nothing to fear from them.
If you want to see it in person just follow this thread for the open carry lunches that are planned from time to time in your area. Show up a bit early pick a separate table and just observe all of the people with the bad guns.
F15Mech on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Awesome!
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Gee, Madison, you sure turned into a crotchety @$$hole in a hurry. And here I thought you were a reasonable guy…
hicsuget on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Pathetic
LimeyGeek on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Wouldn’t be the first time or the first instance of that.
I’m still ruffling pages in my personal copy of the Constitution, trying to find the part where it says,
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
That map in thr Wiki article is misleading, for example, Tennessee is a “Licensed Open Carry State;” however, that applies only to handguns. Carrying anything else is agin’ the law. Tennessee has a law that is commonly called “carrying a weapon with intent to go armed.” I have a handgun carry permit, but I cannot sling my Mini 14 over my shoulder and walk down the street with a loaded magazine and chamber.
The distinction between open carry and concealed carry is meaningless as far as Tennessee is concerned. If one is travelling to another state I highy recommend checking that state’s laws before entering that state with a loaded firearm.
Pelayo on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
YEAH!
Uh, wait. How do we decide who the traitors and usurpers are?
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I`m guessing they`d use Charlie Sheen appearing in the movie against you. You must side with Charlie. :)
ThePrez on August 17, 2009 at 10:06 PM
According the SCOTUS the answer to that is an unequivocal yes.
doriangrey on August 17, 2009 at 10:06 PM
The Second Amendment was established so that the citizenry would have sufficient armaments to overthrow their government if it returned to the state it was in before the revolution. So, in terms of arms, yes.
Practicality-wise, a handgun is your best bet for personal protection while on the street. Open or concealed, if it’s legal, the police should not be harassing you for having it, unless there is other reason to believe you’re committing some sort of crime. The same goes for any other legally carried weapon. The second it’s brandished, I see no problem with the cops addressing the situation.
Again, I’m currently dealing with this problem in the city in which I live. Police just cited a man for disorderly conduct solely for open carrying. The police made their own law. This is a problem, and it needs to stop.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Just because they’re carrying guns doesn’t mean they’re looking to start a gun fight, which is what your ‘make sure they shoot first’ comment implied.
Enoxo on August 17, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I miss TN.
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 10:07 PM
If this were an illiteracy contest, you’d have won first prize with that comment.
hicsuget on August 17, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Usurpers are anyone who is not a white male.
Traitors are the white males supporting them.
welcome_ghosts on August 17, 2009 at 10:07 PM
If you’re confused…you’re the enemy
You won’t see me coming, I assure you.
LimeyGeek on August 17, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Um…you quoted fossten when you said that.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Guess I`m among those to be lined up and shot. I refuse the blind fold.
ThePrez on August 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM
You’re correct, sir. Keep your powder dry.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I am merely a cat. You are a troll. As to substance – My grin has more substance than you entire body, from stern to stern. That’s Navy talk. As to the cliff – you fell off one some time ago, dearie.
Cheshire Cat on August 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Maybe he can’t believe somebody else shares your opinion. Now he’s confused.
fossten on August 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM
That wasn’t the answer I was expecting, but at least you’re consistent in your beliefs.
hicsuget on August 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM
You…you … just compared me to the Russians/Cubans!? That is SO not cool!
Rightwingguy on August 17, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I’ve been thinking that too, except for the Earp part.
I have kind of changed my mind though. Let the open carry folks do their thing.
That way the bad guys will target them first and that gives the unarmed folks a chance to get out of the way and will give me time to pick a spot and take well aimed shots from cover.
Just like the armed guard at a bank, open carry screams target me first.
cozmo on August 17, 2009 at 10:09 PM
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