man carries semi-automatic assault rifle at obama speech: "because i can do it"

barack obama is in phoenix, arizona today addressing the veterans of foreign wars gathered for their annual national convention. this photo was taken outside the phoenix convention center where obama is speaking.

from the arizona republic:

One sight was perhaps a little un-nerving to those in charge of making sure everybody remains on their best behavior.

A man, who decided not to give his name, was walking around the pro-health care reform rally at 3rd and Washington streets, with a pistol on his hip, and an AR-15 (a semi-automatic assault rifle) on a strap over his shoulder.

"Because I can do it," he said when asked why he was armed. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms."

Two police officers were staying very close to the man.

"What he is doing is perfectly legal," Detective J. Oliver, of the Phoenix police department said. "We are here to keep the peace. If we need to intervene, we will intervene at that time."

quote of the day

“He has a few weapons. I know he has a machine gun, I know he has a couple rifles and I know he has a couple handguns. They’re recreational and for deer hunting. I mean, he’s not a bad kid.”

– marianne klimczyk
aunt of richard poplawski

(poplawski, 22, is accused of using an assault rifle to fatally shoot three pittsburgh police officers last saturday morning in stanton heights, pa. under federal law, citizens may purchase long guns, including semiautomatic AK-47s, from private owners without acquiring a license and without registering the weapons. it is thought that poplawski obtained every weapon legally.)

poisoning weak minds

the new york times' charles m. blow draws a smarter, cleaner line than i can (apparently) between someone like the "deranged psycho" in pittsburgh and the conservative media's rhetoric about guns and gun control:

"My read: They’re apocalyptic. They feel isolated, angry, betrayed and besieged. And some of their 'leaders' seem to be trying to mold them into militias.

It’s not all just harmless talk. For some, their disaffection has hardened into something more dark and dangerous.

They’re talking about a revolution."

blow (barely) participated in a somewhat messy debate on hardball monday night:

i know him so well

some insight into the gunman responsible for the binghamton, new york massacre, from some of the people who knew him best: employees at the gander mountain handgun department.

the obama gun ban

On the second amendment, don’t believe Obama. Barack Obama is a serious threat to second amendment liberties.

– national rifle association
august 18, 2008

"Yes we can . . . ban guns" – Obama announces gun ban agenda before the final vote count is in.

– nra's institute for legislative action
november 07, 2008

The Obama administration is coming for your guns. If you want a gun, buy it now, because you very well may not be able to do it in a few years if the Democrats get their way.

– right wing news
february 26, 2009

Richard Poplawski, 23, met officers at the doorway and shot two of them in the head immediately. An officer who tried to help the two also was killed. Poplawski had feared "the Obama gun ban that's on the way" and "didn't like our rights being infringed upon," said Edward Perkovic, his best friend.

– the associated press
april 4, 2009

un-huckabee-lievable

back in february, i hesitantly brought up this very uncomfortable subject. now, we have a former republican presidential candidate (a scary white man campaigning for john mccain) making "jokes" like this.

we won't even talk about his suggestion that only people who grow up with guns understand what's right and what's wrong. but let's talk about giving a major speech in front of the nra and "joking" that someone just aimed a gun at the presumptive democratic nominee.