After Arizona shootings, Memphis Rep. Steve Cohen(D) says he'll apply for handgun carry permit

[shadowrider]

WASHINGTON — After Saturday’s shootings in Tucson, Ariz., U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said that he plans to apply for a permit to carry a handgun.

The Memphis congressman was among several lawmakers who vowed Tuesday to carry a gun in response to the shooting rampage that critically injured U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others at a public event.

U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider has advised members of Congress and their staffs “to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal safety and security.” It appears the message has been taken to heart.

In a phone call from Memphis, Cohen said he was at the Midtown Schnucks grocery store Sunday when he was approached by a man asking him about his interview with former pro wrestler and Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura.

--snip--

The move by Cohen and other lawmakers drew criticism from Terrance Gainer, the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms and a former Washington police chief.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Gainer told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I don’t think introducing more guns into the situation is going to be helpful.”

Despite Gainer’s cautionary comments, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, still plans to carry his handgun at public events, his office said.

And Rep. Heath Shuler, D.-N.C., said he plans to carry a concealed handgun more often.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/11/memphis-rep-steve-cohen-apply-concealed-weapon-per/

[slackmaster]

1. Of course as a member of Congress, he'll be granted one immediately

Some animals are more equal than others.

[bluestateguy]

2. I remember the TV show "Good Times"

James, the father, gets a gun, much to the family's alarm. Michael, the youngest son (who is a little too smart for his own good), says "Daddy do you have a permit to own that gun"?

James: "Yeah, I permit me to own this gun."

It was your typical Norman Lear anti-gun episode that he does with all of his shows.

[HankyDubs]

this should be fun

representatives firing their guns into crowds of their constituents.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cleanhippie]

11. Why is it ALWAYS over-the-top hyperbole with you?

[HankyDubs]

21. how is it hyperbole?

If a congressman wants to carry a gun to a political rally, the only reason to do so would be so that he can fire a gun into a crowd of his constituents if he feels his life is in danger.

That's not hyperbole, it's perfectly logical.

[cleanhippie]

26. I see that trying to have a conversation with you is an exercise in futility.

[Kennah]

32. I think it's reasonable ...

... to presume that Congressional Representatives are going to have more extensive security protection for the foreseeable future. For how long? Who knows?

However, if we are witnessing a trend, then future attacks on Congressional Representatives would likely be similar to the murder of John Lennon--alone, and perpetrated by someone who says they like you.

[PavePusher]

33. So, have you volunteered to provide security for them?

I'm betting $$$ on "No."

[GKirk]

3. Typical law enforcement attitude...

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Gainer told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I don’t think introducing more guns into the situation is going to be helpful.”

[HankyDubs]

4. you think

introducing more guns into the situation would be helpful?

[GKirk]

7. I'm not afraid of law abiding citizens

...with guns, and for the life of me I don't know how we can stop mentally deranged or people with criminal intentions from doing bad things.

[lawodevolution]

14. Yes the only data we have points to more armed societies having less violent crime.

[spin]

16. That will depend on the situation ...

in some cases yes, in others no. The overwhelming majority of those with concealed weapons permits have proven to be responsible citizens while carrying their weapons. No state that passed a "shall issue" concealed weapons law has revoked it.

[Maine_Nurse]

10. Thankfully NOT the case around here

Most of our LEO's are fine with it and many encourage it.

[spin]

17. Same in Florida where I live. (n/t)

[Euromutt]

27. More precisely, typical police chief attitude

Rank and file cops tend to be quite supportive of citizens being able to defend themselves.

[GKirk]

29. You are correct

and that's what I should have stated.

[Lucian]

5. Instead of just idiots with guns now we'll have idiotic politicians with guns.

Great.

[cleanhippie]

12. Are you calling all gun owners idiots?

[spin]

18. Most anti-RKBA people love to stereotype which shows ...

that despite whatever level of education they have achieved, they learned little in school.

[friendly_iconoclast]

20. Like Gabby Giffords (who owns a Glock)?

Do you have some evidence that Reps. Cohen and Giffords are idiots?

Protip: "They do something that I don't like" doesn't qualify as evidence....

[onehandle]

6. Yes. That'll stop the bullet of a gun to his head. nt

[tularetom]

9. Only Democratic congresspeople should be granted permits

They seem to be the only ones who get shot at or even threatened.

In spite of what you might hear from the liberal media.

[lawodevolution]

15. Hitler would agree with arming one political side and keeping the opposition disarmed as you

Are implying by writing that only democrats should be given a permit.

Not only would Hitler give two thumbs up to that strategy, that's what he did.

[tularetom]

19. You should get acquainted with DU smilies

There's one that looks like this - :sarcasm:.

It's very handy at times to explain that your post was not meant to be taken seriously.

But some posts are so obviously sarcasm that the smilie is almost superfluous.

I thought my post was one of those.

I apologize for giving you the wrong impression.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Upton]

13. But, but..

I thought only RW Republicans exercised their RKBA. Least that's what I keep being told by the anti gun crowd..

[ProgressiveProfessor]

23. Problem is he can not get one in DC where he really needs one

[HankyDubs]

24. how many representatives have been shot in washington DC

In the last 50 years?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

25. A more reasonable question would be how many people have been victims of violence in DC

and were not allowed to suitably protect themselves.

Armed gays do not get bashed

[HankyDubs]

28. you didn't answer my question

no surprise.

"Armed gays do not get bashed."

Yeah, instead they get shot to death by gutless rednecks who are armed to the teeth because of a policy you supported.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

30. No need to answer your mindless rhetoric

DC is one of the more dangerous cities in the nation even though it continues to have some of the most repressive gun laws in the country. Its clue. As a member of the ruling class, Senators and members of Congress could undoubtedly get a CCW for the district while the little people are prevented from even having a firearm for self defense in their homes.

My life has been saved by firearms and I train others, mostly GLBTQ how to safe use them.

Given your vitriol, I have to wonder how many other of our civil rights and liberties you oppose.

[Kennah]

31. How many armed GLBT members have been shot to death?