Guns at town hall meetings?

What do you think...should people be allowed to carry guns, even automatic weapons, to town hall meetings where the President of the U.S. is appearing?  I think they shouldn't...it scares the bejeesus out of me!  Why the hell are they doing it other than the purpose of intimidating others?  If they really feel their lives are in danger and they need to protect themselves with an AK-47, perhaps they should just opt to stay home?  Creepy.

I think it sounds a lot like step 3 on the road to Fascism.

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

I think it sounds a lot like step 3 on the road to Fascism.

I'm not quite sure I understand your post.  Do you mean allowing them to carry guns at such events, or not allowing them to carry guns at such events is a step toward fascism? 

Robert Paxton - Five Stages of Fascism

Totally creepy.  I really don't see a purpose for anyone to have an AK-47, unless it's some kind of compensation for some insecurity, if you get my drift.   I am from a family of hunters, but we would feel no threat at all to our constitutional rights if automatic weapons as a whole were banned.   

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

Robert Paxton - Five Stages of Fascism

Gotcha.  A thoroughly frightening manuscript.

NO!  This is absurd... wonder why they didn't do this when Bush was President... could it be because Obama is a black man??? Duh.

Did I miss something?  I saw a news report where a man had a handgun strapped to his leg.  He had a license to cary and all appropriate paperwork. 

Did someone really take an AK-47 to a town hall meeting?  Link?

There is absolutely no need for a person to carry a firearm to a town hall meeting.  In alot of city owned buildings firearms(licensed or not) are not allowed in the building.  It's just asking for trouble.  If you can't do without your firearm while at the meeting don't go.

hotfuss: your link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32457652/ns/polit ics-white_house

yesterday this article included a picture of the guy with the ak-47 ar-15, I didn't see it today.

There are no weapons allowed at town hall meetings in the presence of the President, past present of future - permitted carry or not.

Where the heck did this notion come from?

Link?

Original Post by 2bslimmer:

hotfuss: your link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32457652/ns/polit ics-white_house

yesterday this article included a picture of the guy with the ak-47, I didn't see it today.

 Thanks!

Erm, I don't think they have allowed any of these people to actually go into the town halls.  As akgal said, there are a lot of buildings that restrict guns inside. 

Ok, so there were permitted carriers well outside the hall among the protestors. Obviously protesting their misguided perception that President Obama will outlaw guns.

Hmmm. .... it's not like a president has ever been shot outside.

Yep, you're solidly on step three and just about to start on 4. St. You're frighteningly close to the point of no return if you don't stop this development right now.

People openly carrying weapons in protest are not the ones to worry about for the most part. I would wager that they didn't even have ammo.

But that point aside - if the law in Arizona protects their right to mingle outside the 'safe zone' specified by the Secret Service, then they are perfectly within their rights as citizens.

Bush wouldn't allow protestors to be within view of the media in his day - talk about facism.

Original Post by kathygator:

People openly carrying weapons in protest are not the ones to worry about for the most part. I would wager that they didn't even have ammo.

But that point aside - if the law in Arizona protects their right to mingle outside the 'safe zone' specified by the Secret Service, then they are perfectly within their rights as citizens.

Bush wouldn't allow protestors to be within view of the media in his day - talk about facism.

I wouldn't bet on the ammo thought-the idiot that had the gun strapped to his leg the other day made a point of saying "how stupid it would be to carry it if it weren't loaded" when asked that question.  And it was that in connection with his scary "tree of liberty" sign he held-the same quote Timothy McVay wore on his shirt the day of the OKC bombing.  

I'm not suggesting these folks aren't ridiculous for doing it - because they are, but I have absolutely no doubt that the Secret Service was well prepared.

I am sure the Secret Service was as prepared as possible with several people to watch, and those are just the ones with the guns!  Certainly spreads the coverage a little thinner than they would like, I am sure.

No, they simply bring in more agents.

If we defend a college kid's right to burn the flag in protest, we must also defend the right of a citizen to lawfully carry and display a handgun in protest.

The true wackos don't wear t-shirts  or carry signs announcing themselves. If they do, then they are too stupid to be a threat.

Original Post by kathygator:

No, they simply bring in more agents.

If we defend a college kid's right to burn the flag in protest, we must also defend the right of a citizen to lawfully carry and display a handgun in protest.

The true wackos don't wear t-shirts  or carry signs announcing themselves. If they do, then they are too stupid to be a threat.

It may be perfectly legal and within their rights to bring guns to protests...but that doesn't mean it's not intimidating, and it could mean that well-meaning, good citizens interested in the political process are staying home instead of having their voices heard. 

And, they're protesting their discontent with Obama's healthcare plan by walking around outside a town hall meeting with a gun?  Huh?  Why not carry a sign that says, "Pres. Obama, I don't like your healthcare plan." That's pretty clear and to the point.  The symbolism of a gun is something else entirely.