Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest -- and it's legal

[pandemic]

OP Note: They're finally realizing this is legal. :thumbsup:

Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest -- and it's legal

Story Highlights
# Video shows man with an assault rifle slung over his shoulder at Phoenix protest
# Arizona law has nothing in the books regulating assault rifles
# Secret Service: Man considered no threat to president, who was nearby
# Man carrying rifle: "I think that people need to get out and do it more"

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.


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. Video Watch the rifle being legally carried at rally »

"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."

Gun-toting protesters have demonstrated around the president before. Last week, a man protesting outside Obama's town hall meeting in New Hampshire had a gun strapped to his thigh. That state also doesn't require a license for open carry.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan acknowledged the incidents in New Hampshire and Arizona, but said he was not aware of any other recent events where protesters attended with open weapons. He said there was no indication that anyone had organized the incidents.

Asked whether the individuals carrying weapons jeopardized the safety of the president, Donovan said, "Of course not."

The individuals would never have gotten in close proximity to the president, regardless of any state laws on openly carrying weapons, he said. A venue is considered a federal site when the Secret Service is protecting the president and weapons are not allowed on a federal site, he added.

In both instances, the men carrying weapons were outside the venues where Obama was speaking.

"We pay attention to this obviously ... to someone with a firearm when they open carry even when they are within state law," Donovan said. "We work with our law enforcement counterparts to make sure laws and regulations in their states are enforced."

[Farbmeister]

If Obmaamamamamama ever comes to PA we should do this.

[pandemic]

I suggest NOT doing this for the G20. A town rally or any other even would be good though. I originally opened the article expecting the worst. Surprisingly enough I thought the article was OK.

[TinGLOCK]

1. That's not an assault rifle.
2. Discussion already ongoing here: http://forum.pafoa.org/news-123/6932...ama-event.html

[pandemic]

1. That's not an assault rifle.
2. Discussion already ongoing here: http://forum.pafoa.org/news-123/6932...ama-event.html

1). calm down
2). That's the title of the article.

[TinGLOCK]

1). calm down
2). That's the title of the article.

1. Who's uncalm?
2. I goez to school, and I kinz read.

[edstephan]

I suggest NOT doing this for the G20. A town rally or any other even would be good though. I originally opened the article expecting the worst. Surprisingly enough I thought the article was OK.

Bold and red is mine

We will not be heeding your suggestions!!!!




An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan

[pandemic]

Bold and red is mine

We will not be heeding your suggestions!!!!




An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan

What's the point of going to a protest like that with a rifle? Protest Obama, anti gun campaigns, whatever. I'm not an expert but I dont think the G20 is going to be talking about our 2A. Have you seen the G20 protests in other countries? I wouldn't go near those protests, period. That's just me.

[LittleRedToyota]

I wouldn't go near those protests, period. That's just me.

you're going to miss all the fun!

i actually can't wait. i live about 2 miles from the convention center...so i will be able to walk down there, get as close as i want, and be able to bug out on foot back home if things get too crazy.

i'm thinking it's gonna be some of the best entertainment i've ever not had to pay for. (er, well, not directly...i am paying for it via taxes, so i might as well enjoy the show.)

[pandemic]

1. Who's uncalm?
2. I goez to school, and I kinz read.

Sorry if I misunderstood your prior post.