Posted on 08/26/2009 8:16:40 AM PDT by neverdem
The fact that a very small number of perople attending public gatherings recently have been caught on camera carrying firearms, has driven many in the mainstream media to focus on “assault weapons” being brandished at political events. One man was caught on camera in Phoeniz, Arizona by at least one national cable outlet with an AR-15 rifle slung over his shoulder on a strap. The media immediately — and incorrectly — highlighted this as an “assault rifle” being carried outside a building at which President Barack Obama was speaking.
While the national media may delight in highlighting such incidents, including mis-labeling semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 as “assault weapons,” there in fact is nothing illegal about a person openly carrying a firearm at many such public events in many states, including Arizona and Georgia. If the firearms were fully automatic (as “assault rifles” by definition are), or were being carried by a person already “disabled” under federal law from possessing a firearm, or if there were local or state laws prohibiting such action, then it might warrant a passing reference in the news. But simply carrying a firearm lawfully under federal and state law, should not be newsworthy.
For those worried about the safety of a president if someone carries a firearms outside a venue where he is speaking, they should consider that anyone openly carrying a firearm anywhere remotely near where a president is located, guarantees such a person will be closely watched by the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Moreoever, any place at which a “protected person” such as the president is appearing, is very broadly demarcated by the Secret Service, and carrying a firearm inside such perimeter is a serious violation of federal law.
I’m not sure I understand why a person would openly tote a rifle or sidearm at a political rally of any sort, including one at which a president is speaking; other than to just make a point of some sort. But if the media would simply let it be, and especially if they would stop labelling firearms that are not “assault weapons” as “assault weapons” simply to inflame viewers, we’d all be better off. But somehow I doubt that will happen.
At least, no mention of them, now they have something even bigger to dwell on.
“Once open carrying was noted by the media, I didn’t notice any more assaults by union thugs.”
ACORN/SEIU got the message ;-)
If I hit you in the head with a brick, have I not just “assault”ed you with a “weapon”?
Woot !
Maybe the left will go after our guns again !!
ROFL
Man 2010 is looking better by the day !
Well, ya know, assault weapons have been known to jump out of people’s hands and run around shooting.
August 26th, 2009 is starting off pretty well.
Buh Bye, Teddy!
Just the way some legal firearms look can get the media all wee-weed up.
16-11-127 (GCA 26-2902) Deadly weapons at public gatherings
(a) Except as provided in Code Section 16-11-127.1, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he carries to or while at a public gathering any explosive compound, firearm, or knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense.
(b)For the purpose of this Code section, "public gathering" shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic or sporting events, churches or church functions, political rallies or functions, publicly owned or operated buildings, or establishments at which alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises.
Nothing in this Code section shall otherwise prohibit the carrying of a firearm in any other public place by a person licensed or permitted to carry such firearm by this part.
(c) None of this applies to law enforcement or other elites.
‘slung over his shoulder on a strap’
I guess saying ‘sling’ after ‘slung’ was a bit too much to strap on.
Mine were raised better than that.
“When the people fear their government you have tyranny, when the government fears the people you have liberty.” Thomas Jefferson (I think)
Wasn’t the guy carrying the AR a liberal?
Libertarian
http://www.assaultweaponwatch.com/
Got to keep an eye on those “Evil” black rifles.... You know that they pick themselves up and fly around killing people and stabbing people with that bayonet. And they target children and minorities first. /sarc
Mine too. The misuses and I went to our son's pediatrics appt yesterday. We were given a bunch of things to fill out, including a questionaire filled with nosy questions such as "Are there guns in the household?"
I don't know why this would be an issue, my guns say grace before meals, cover their mouth when they cough, and know that SUVs aren't toys; they are big boy tools that only mommys and daddys use.
Needless to say, I crossed out all of the questions and refused to answer them.... this because the missues said it would be rude of me to write "none of your f'nin business" after the questions.
Looks like we both married smart women. Although, I kinda like what you wanted to write.
Amendment IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
What a crock! You guys aren’t allowed to attend political rallies armed? Was this law written in the Black Panther era, like the law passed in CA after they showed up at the state capitol with rifles strapped on? Regardless it needs correcting.
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