White House Backs Right to Arms Outside Obama Events

[-..__...]

Gotta love the smack down laid on the Bradyites :smoke:...

Armed men seen mixing with protesters outside recent events held by President Obama acted within the law, the White House said Tuesday, attempting to allay fears of a security threat.

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said people are entitled to carry weapons outside such events if local laws allow it. "There are laws that govern firearms that are done state or locally," he said. "Those laws don't change when the president comes to your state or locality."

Anti-gun campaigners disagreed with Gibbs's comments, voicing fears that volatile debates over health-care reform are more likely to turn violent if gun control is not enforced.

"What Gibbs said is wrong," said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Individuals carrying loaded weapons at these events require constant attention from police and Secret Service officers. It's crazy to bring a gun to these events. It endangers everybody."

The past week has seen a spate of men carrying firearms while milling outside meetings Obama has held to defend his health-care reform effort. On Monday, a man with an AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle strapped to his shoulder was outside a veterans' event in Phoenix. He was one of a dozen men who reportedly had guns outside the forum.

Phoenix police made no arrests, saying Arizona law allows weapons to be carried in the open.

More...

[johnnie]

1. Obama should strap on a sidearm next time he appears at one of these

That would make me laugh.

[greguganus]

29. I'd like to see him walk up shouldering an RPG and then ask "Any questions?" . n/t

[janedum]

2. This is assinine. The attempted assasination of Reagan is a good example ..

of why you should not be allowed to carry guns when you're in the presence of the President.
I mean ... WHY do you have gun to see the President?
I'd put those rednecks in jail and throw away the key.
Same with the hecklers at the Town Hall meetings.
There's a difference between "freedom of speech" and DISORDERLY CONDUCT.
I'd put 'em jail, and they'd have police records for the rest of their lives.
They are HECKLERS!

[Statistical]

4. FOR THE LAST TIME. NOBODY was allowed to carry in the "presence" of the President.

The people were carrying OUTSIDE the event and never had a line of sight to the President.
The local Police said it is legal, the Secret Service said it was legal, now even the White House said it was legal.

The Secret Service sets up a security bubble, creates a secure perimeter, limits access to the perimeter, and requires everyone entering the perimeter. No protester with a gun ever even saw the President or had the opportunity (much less ability) to shoot the President.

The Secret Service is not a bunch of gunslingers from the Wild West who rely on their quick draw to shoot any shooter..... No it is far simpler to ensure no shooter is ever in a position to shoot the President to begin with.


Hopefully this strip map helps.

This is what happened:
PRESIDENT ------ <PERIMETER> ---- PROTESTER (GUN)

This is what you and the Brady bunch imply happened:
PRESIDENT - PROTESTER (GUN) ------ <PERIMETER>

[fasttense]

9. Yeah, those Secret Service, you are relying on, sure protected JFK and his brother. n/t

[blondeatlast]

28. JFK ignored the Secret Service's wishes that he not ride in a convertible.

Just sayin'.

[titoresque]

58. plus it was an inside job

[endarkenment]

17. It is about the message. The message is fear and intimidation.

However I will play your game for a bit as it is amusing.

The SS is now forced to concern itself with monitoring the actions of, for example at the Phoenix event, as many as a dozen or so openly armed nutjobs on the perimeter. Has it occurred to you yet that the SS does not have infinite resources and that resources committed to tracking these obvious nutjobs are not available to detect the unobvious ones?

How many nutjobs constitute a perimeter threat? Suppose 100 RATs showup? Not a problem? 1,000? 10,000? How many Rightwing Armed Thugs outside of the president's security perimeter represent a threat?

[DrDan]

3. no you don't

[hlthe2b]

5. For every one of these gun obsessed toters, we have to have

an SS or police officer assigned to watch them...How much diversion from those who might have concealed weapons (and nefarious intent) do you think is occurring? There have been recent reports of how strapped and overworked the SS is to begin with, given the racist haters out there.

Does the OP feel so damned strongly about their gun obsession that they don't care that it is impacting the ability to protect EVERYONE? DO they really WANT something to happen?

The "Bradyites" are not your enemy, even if you disagree with them. I find it fascinating a supposed progressive would have so much contempt for those who support a man who was nearly killed by an attempted presidential assassin. I find this extremely warped.

[Statistical]

7. The gun toters were OUTSIDE the event in the Protest area.

Police and some Secret Service were there ANYWAYS likely to make sure no Protectors have a hidden weapon.
None of this changes the layered security that starts at the security bubble and gets tighter the closer you get to the President.

[hlthe2b]

10. You have said nothing that counters my points

but only underscore it.

[Statistical]

6. A President who believes in the rule of law how refreshing.

Even better is the fact that Obama likely personally disagree with this particular lawful conduct yet still believed in Rule of Law.

What a change from BushCo.
Strangely many on DU would want to go back to BushCo days now that "our guy" would be the one operating outside the law.

I am convinced the goal of the gun protesters was to be unlawfully arrested and covered non stop by the news thus proving the point "Obama will take your guns and will even break the law to do so".

[hlthe2b]

11. I agree that he is playing it appropriately..

But for any of us or other local police or officials to be encouraging bringing guns is ludicrous, irresponsible, (and ultimately dangerous)

[Statistical]

22. The Police should neither encourage nor discourage.

The Police arrest those who violate the law. That is how rule of law works.

The protesters were hoping and praying some local Police or even better Secret Service would make a FALSE arrest one they would sue the govt for as a civil rights violation and the whole while chant "Obama taking guns". Photos and videos of a "peaceful protester" in handcuffs and his lawful firearm being stripped would have been the focal point.

Obama destroyed that entire strategy by making it a non issue.

[cherish44]

8. Well this kind of screws with the "Obama wants to take away people's guns" theory a little

They want him to throw a hissy fit about their guns and he's not doing it. pwnd

[graywarrior]

12. He's giving them what they're lawfully entitled to so now what's their gripe?

[yimmy]

20. Yes Obama did get pwned.

After all he's the one who changing his tune to follow the BOR.

[TwilightGardener]

45. Wha...?

[endarkenment]

13. Yes it is legal. However this behavior should be denounced for what it is: organized thuggery.

Rightwing Armed Thugs.

Most americans are not ok with people who show up armed and dangerous to express their political opinions in public.

Legal yes. Unacceptable: absolutely.

Just say NO to RATS.

[Dinger]

15. RATS= rightwing armed thugs

Perfect:)

[Kingofalldems]

14. I can't believe there are people here who defend this

It is a blatant act of aggression. I guess it would be alright if someone showed up at their little kids birthday party with a weapon strapped on his leg.

[kctim]

37. I've never had a problem with it.

[Walk away]

16. Why would anyone shoot him, he's turning out to be the best

friend the republicans ever had. They are getting everything they are asking for. They're out there protesting universal health care. Apparently, it's not a necessary sliver of HCR for this whiet house.

[Orsino]

18. I am afraid...

...but I can see the value of a White House that undermines the crazies by openly advocating for gun rights. It seems a dangerous game, but our new president seems to have a lot of courage.

[yimmy]

19. Good.

Waaa! Guns bad! The Bush Bots are coming! Someone else take up my self defense for me!!!!

[charlie]

21. If I ever need defending

from a passing presidential motorcade while standing on church grounds, I'll call you.

Because it's a job so dangerous, it'll take a steely-eyed professional. Like you.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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

[hlthe2b]

30. So, in the interest of being civil

what WOULD you like on your tombstone? I'd think quickly if I were you....

[yimmy]

43. "Are you sure this is safe..?"

no text

[charlie]

32. Help me, masked man!

If I can't find another internet tough guy to strap one on before all that scary stuff outside my door takes over the country, I'm toast! What if a motorcade goes by my house? A presidential motorcade?

[yimmy]

44. Ignore.

Thought you'ld like to know, this time. ;)

[Dinger]

46. Tick. . . Tock . . . Tick... Tock . . . (nt)

[charlie]

48. This time?

What is that, fair warning from a shaky little weeble with a gun? Careful where you point that thing puddingpants, you might shoot your Mom.

[Dinger]

49. *SNAP*

Good job:)

[charlie]

52. 'tude + guns

Let's drag the country back to Dodge City and squirm with how much delightfully better off it is :crazy:

[blondeatlast]

31. *spray* nt

[Dinger]

47. You Know Something? This Shit Is Fun, Can't Help It

:evilgrin: :patriot:

[hlthe2b]

51. I'm reminded of some recent departures...

I know that they went for the road kill on their pizza.. Do you recall if they went for fresh or decomposing? As an attentive DU hostess, I think it important to know and prepare....:evilgrin:

[Milspec]

61. Welcome to DU

Don't think it will be long before you gone.

[Dinger]

23. This Is A Good Weeder Thread

Thanks for posting.

[blondeatlast]

34. ...

:spray:, part the second!

Ain't it the damn truth, though?

[Political Heretic]

24. No one should be allowed to intimate participants in government.

That's all these are - gross intimidation tactics.

[slackmaster]

40. It sounds like the President is not "intimated" by them

Nor is he intimidated.

[Political Heretic]

55. It's not about him. It's about the people there.

[spanone]

25. you are obviously forgetting that brady took a bullet intended for the president

[Bandit]

26. Misleading headline IMO.. They back obeying the Law

And the Law where the last event was held, was that people could walk around carrying loaded guns. I doubt that anyone at the Whitehouse likes that Law but they are indeed obligated to abide by it.

[blondeatlast]

36. That was my thinking. the wording is very carefully chosen. It's still a national security risk

in my eyes.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[berni_mccoy]

35. No shit, Sherlock. Did you expect them to say anything else? If they come down hard on the gun-nuts

Then there will no doubt be violence. It's called defusing the situation.

[Jennicut]

38. Exactly. Obama wants to prove he will not take their guns away.

I just hope he does not pay for it in the end. I hope the SS does their job and does it well.

[kctim]

39. I'm not surprised to hear

that my President respects the law.

[Dinger]

41. "Bradyites" How Quaint

:sarcasm:

[berni_mccoy]

42. Yeah, that's why I Unrec'd it.

[Union Yes]

50. Defend your brethren. I don't need a fuckin tool of death to defend mine.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

53. As much as I disagree with allowing guns at political events

:wtf:

I think that the administration is responding correctly (and brilliantly IMHO) because these people are probably bringing their guns to these events in order to provoke a response by the government. IMHO they WANT confrontation and validation of their *fears* about government taking their guns and freedoms away. I predict that once they see that that their *fears* about government totalitarianism are unfounded, the appeal of bringing their guns to events is probably going to die down. Plus, I suppose that it's better that we KNOW and can SEE that these people have their guns with them. My only hope is that the Secret Service is keeping a watchful eye on them and doing whatever extra things they can do to ensure President Obama's safety.

[aikoaiko]

54. Its almost as if the anti-gun folks won't be happy until someone does fire his gun at these events.

:shrug:

I see none of them actually supporting the lawful, PEACEFUL carrying of firearms. Supposedly that is what groups like the Brady Campaign and Violence Policy Center want (i.e., gun owners to follow the law and not use their weapons criminally).

[Political Heretic]

56. "anti-gun" folks - also known as "the majority."

[Statistical]

59. Not really. The 1960s called they want their majority back.

CNN polling shows even lower numbers...

Now, a recent poll reveals a sudden drop -- only 39 percent of Americans now favor stricter gun laws, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll. The gradual, long-term decline in support for gun control from the early 1990s to 2008 coincided with a decline in the murder rate.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/08/gun.control.poll/

[X_Digger]

62. "Majority" in their own echo chamber..

.. it's the "But everyone I know voted for McGovern" line all over again.

[Winterblues]

63. There is something "Peaceful" about a gun???

:crazy:

[redqueen]

57. If the people who live there don't like it they should change it. (nt)

[Saboburns]

60. It's call being UNINTIMIDATED

And it is exactly the right thing to do.

For a number of reasons.

[alarimer]

64. I hate gun nuts

I hate gun toters but at least the ones who carry them openly can avoided like the piece of shit losers they are.

Anyone who carries a gun to a public protest is a LOSER. A poor pathetic whiny excuse for a human being. Poor tiny scared babies.