American Morning
Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest - and it's legal
PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) - A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Barack Obama's speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken. It was the second instance in recent days in which unconcealed weapons have appeared near presidential events.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/08/17/obama.protest.rifle/art.obama.gun.pool.jpg caption="A man is shown legally carrying a rifle at a protest against President Obama on Monday in Phoenix, Arizona."]
Video from the protest in Phoenix, Arizona, shows the man standing with other protesters, with the rifle slung over his right shoulder.
Phoenix police said authorities monitored about a dozen people carrying weapons while peacefully demonstrating.
"It was a group interested in exercising the right to bear arms," said police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill.
Arizona law has nothing in the books regulating assault rifles, and only requires permits for carrying concealed weapons. So despite the man's proximity to the president, there were no charges or arrests to be made. Hill said officers explained the law to some people who were upset about the presence of weapons at the protest.
"I come from another state where 'open carry' is legal, but no one does it, so the police don't really know about it and they harass people, arrest people falsely," the man, who wasn't identified, said in an interview aired by CNN affiliate KNVX. "I think that people need to get out and do it more so that they get kind of conditioned to it."
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Its amazing that CNN ran a spot calling these people racist. I'm pretty sure the guy with the rifle isn't white. Of course some of the coverage they only show the clothed portion of him and the gun of course for shock factor. And the reason a person would carry a gun to one of these events is because if you remember, SEIU and ACORN employees assaulted anti-Obama care people outside a similar rally recently. So yes, if they come to NC I will be there with a gun on my hip saying hands off my healthcare.
While reviewing some posts about firearms, and being called idiots I decided to respond with my very first ever post. These idiots you are referring to are the only people defending themselves from violent crimes. Everyday on the news elderly citizens are being violently attacked in their own homes, in grocery store parking lots…etc. Take a real look who an idiot here! Take away your protection you are prey to those who kill infants, families, rob, and intrude into your home after following you home from the store. People kill people not guns!!! I bet you wouldn’t walk in my neighborhood day or night without a weapon.
Markp: you want to speak about infidelity while your spouse is battling a terminal illness, TWO WORDS: Newt Gingrich. During the impeachment hearing of Clinton, Gingrich had to step down because of his ( Gingrich) infidelity. Now that I read the last statements by you, Bernice and others, I think your gripe is with CNN. A republican strategy to make FOX news look good. FOX news has No-No-No credibility whatsoever. Ask the advertisers why they withdrew their ads because of Glen Beck.
this is the most stupid legal issue i've ever seen in any civilized nation. this will never happen in Cuba!!!
This is simply a person exercising his constitutionally protected rights...I love it!
The second amendment doesn't trump the first, and we carry the power to shut these clowns down Their intent is intimidation, and if you don't think there are people in this country setting up to kill this President, you aren't paying attention to history and the noise coming from the Retarded Right. We do not need to be intimidated, we need to surround them and sing, loudly, "Don't take your gun to town, son, leave your gun at home", over and over, and I promise you they will go crawl back under their rocks. And if one of them shows his true colors and shoots someone, their 'open-carry' orgy will disappear like girls in thongs washing cars (seen any lately?).
Ridiculous! Why carry guns in public – WHY???? Even in the old West people had to check their guns before shopping in a town or drinking. It's good sense! Mixing alcohol or drugs with guns just doesn't work. Someone will get hurt. The stupid gun promoters are mostly uneducated nuts and all the more to restrict these people!
I think guns should be banned at presidential gatherings, perhaps so many yards away from the president. Having assault rifles at presidential appearances can just add to confusion or make people relax when the assassin does appear. We don't allow assault rifles in our schools.. This is most inappropriate!
I am so shocked and appalled at these gun wackos, that guy with the rifle wasn't even from Arizona, as he stated. The right wingers are going crazy because a republican isn't in the white house. Why aren't the "normal" people up in arms over this kind of behavior? Would you like this guy standing next to you?
Why is the guy LEGALLY carrying a weapon recieve so much more attention than the two members of the new Black Panther Party who were intimidating voters in Philly on Election Day AND given a pass by Holder?
JAZZ, you said that more empasis is giving to the republicans because they are always saying they are the "moral majority". It is not the job of a news agency to decide who they think are the "moral majority" it is there job to report news fair with-out bias. What we believe is inmoral or who is right or wrong is based on our peronal beliefs.. I personally believe that if my wife were battling cancer that would be a bad time to get a girl pregnant and ask my friend to take the wrap while paying her off with campaign contributions, but that's me not everyone feels the same..
@markp – as for you comment about CNN "It is there job to report the news without bias." This would be Ideal however it is not the case – just look at FOX, MSNBC- and others..... CNN is probably the most neutral out there – but no one is perfect.
markp: what are you talking about? You have not addressed the issue, but instead gone off on a tangent about cnn. I was explaining why more emphasis is placed on republication misbehavior as opposed to democratic behavior. If you want to talk about Fox news, they almost never, never, tell the truth. I don't even believe their weather reports.
@markp – yes this is legal to carry and weapon in AZ – unconcealed - But ask yourself this does this person carry that weapon "Everywhere" like church, the grocery store, the movie theater – doubtful.
The guns being carried at a political rally are like the teeth of a snarling dog – the dog isn't smiling at you – he is planning on attacking you at some point....all it takes is one idiot in that crowd with a gun and people could be killed.
Jazz thank you for answering my problem with CNN. It is not the responsibility of a news agency to decide who is morally in the right or in the wrong. It is there job to report the news without bias. If you have a personal problem with the way someone committs an act that is for you to decide. It is not CNN'S job to sway you in one way or the other...It is there job to fairly report the events...
Markp, the reason more emphasis is given to a republican's affair or misdeed is because the republicans are always going around thumping their chests saying they are the "moral majority" – plain and simple. Republicans are always bragging about how holy and righteous they are, but they have proven to be just the opposite. Never brag about how good you are because we all have sinned. Adulterous behavior is wrong no matter who – democratic or republican – is involved. But a person who brags about being so holy gets more news because of their hypocrisy.
And let us not forget that when a REPUBLICAN Govenor has an affair you beat that story as well as the man up pretty good. I heard on FOX that a former DEMOCRATIC vice presidential canidate "who's wife was battling cancer" had an affair and fatherd a child also had an aid try to take the wrap while paying her off with campaign funds. CNN may want to look in on this story, sounds like there is something there...
I think its dangerous and ridiculous for these people to be carrying guns outside of a presidential event, or for that matter, any event. What is the purpose? Again, this is another effort to belittle the President. If the White House denied their entrance into the meeting the National Rifle Association would be all over it. Why can't we do things for the good of it, like providing unfortunate people with health care. Instead the republicans are using every tool known to man to bring disgrace on this whole process. People please remember these tactics during the 2010 elections, because we are known to have short memories.
CNN...I know this won't post.
Report responsibility please. STOP giving these attention seeking PIGS the attention they crave. Let the Secret Service just handle it.
They are just racists acting out, plain and simple. Nothing whatsoever to do with health care.
I was amused at how CNN phrased it "People are concerned about speaking out at the rallies when there are people in the crowd carrying guns."
I say, so what? It's perfectly legal. If people want to say something, they'll say it. CNN is so anti-gun is pathetic. Get over yourselves – the 2nd Amendment is here to stay!
Regardless of how many people hated Bush we never saw this kind of outcry and anger – Mr. Obama and his super majority are tearing this country to pieces with is quest for control, he creation of Czar’s, his need to be in front of the camera constantly, his lies. Listen to the people Mr. Obama, I can’t remember such a public display of anger toward a President
Yes, Hayward. You sound wrong on just about everything that you have said thus far! Guns are carried, OUTSIDE of the building, and also in accordance to law. That would then be his right to bear his arms!! That's the nice thing about having rights! It is in the Constitution.... you have rights! And, the people yelling, as you put it, SHOULD BE! It is WE THE PEOPLE, and it is about time that Congress listens before they destroy our country!
I do agree with you, Bill. It is a shame when our own administration sends out an email for something like that to have happened! What a shame this country has become since January of this year!
Eagle68, I hardly think this whole match between the PEOPLE and this administration has all to do with healthcare. Read between the lines. This bill has over 800 pages which have NOT ONE THIING to do with our healthcare, but it sure does resemble a take over. The less that this, or any govt. runs the public affairs, the better. Look how they bankrupt just about every program that they ever had, right down to the airlines, and our postal services. Gosh...look how badly they ran cash for clunkers....this is a clunker, not a loved ones life! I would ratjher have that run by my family and our doctors, through the private industry, thank you!
And, last but not the least by far, you Mark! GO MARK! You have hit the nail right on the head with your comment! At least Fox News IS reporting the whole news story, no matter how badly that the truth ends up hurting. You look for the truth, don't you? Fox News is reporting all of that for you....both and ALL sides. It is really interesting to see all sides. Then you can clearly see how a takeover could be in our futures, so we as a People, can ban to stop it right now! Then OUR children can live still in a free land! It will not be if this continues.
Why do these IDIOTS need guns, what are they afraid of, I believe they work for the insurance companiesand they know that the people they have been robbing over the years are coming to an end.
Funny how CNN reports on something that is legall, but they say nothing of the fact that the white house is sending out un-solicited e-mails and spam from un-known accounts of how they obtained the e-mail accounts.. At least the nations number one news station FOX is there to ask the questions and not to relay a white house agenda..
Never before have I ever seen armed citizens carrying weapons to a presidential event I think allowing this to happen is stupid and asking for trouble there are some places where guns should not be allowed like banks liquer stores churches and any where the president is its nothing more then stupidity gone wild for the presidents safety.
I don't understand why the media gives these people the attention that they're seeking. It appears that the media is playing into the hands of some and is gleeful by seeing people carry guns into Town Hall meetings and Americans who are misinformed about a Health Care Reform Bill that the media know will help the same people who are yelling and screaming now about reform. I always believed that the media job was to inform not promote this behavior, I guess I'm wrong.
Can you tell me, what the hell does carrying not 1 but 2 guns to an health care rally, suggest that is protecting his rights. Those rallies are to do with healt care reform not gun controll.
Thank you guys..
Do you think that the CIA would let someone carry a gun around the President of the USA to put him in danger. Please give me a break. If CNN worry about people at the rally. Then why our you not reporting on union worker like SEIU beating up a black man at a St. Louis rally. Union member our bus in to the location. i do not see CNN reporters asking them do they live in the district or the state. CNN bias. Its sad
As much as people hated Bush, we did not see this kind of outcry against an administration – will Mr. Obama please open his eyes and realize his policies are destroying this country