What the heck is wrong with these Gun Owners?

[cyrus]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090818/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_protesters_guns

I know it may be a right and legal but this is a fast track to lose our rights. How is this going to bring the public to our side? With the President assasignations overs the years this is bad judgement.

[MasterYong]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090818/...rotesters_guns

I know it may be a right and legal but this is a fast track to lose our rights. How is this going to bring the public to our side? With the President assasignations overs the years this is bad judgement.

I'm a little miffed at these individuals as well- but I'm also torn on the issue.

As a matter of principal, I agree with the armed protesters- it's their RIGHT to carry a firearm.

At the same time, I wonder- do these guys carry everywhere or are they just trying to get attention?

In the end, it pisses me off because of the way the media paints it, and in the end you're not going to change the media's view because it is a collective, indoctrinated, cultural view (of the media culture that is) so it's not quite as easy as changing one person's mind. If these idiots keep OCing at these presidential rally's then it's going to trigger more gun control. This article, like the others, is already hinting at that with all the quotes from people that can't believe it's legal.

[deleted by PC police]

The nerve of some people, exorcising their rights, who do they think they are???

[squishyhead]

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, [unless others take offense to this right, in which case this right can be ignored]."

[oaklander]

This is similar to Tourette syndrome. Legal, but makes us look bad.

[bigmike82]

"The nerve of some people, exorcising their rights, who do they think they are??? "
++1

[Sunwolf]

I just want to know what assasignations is.

[kalguns]

"The nerve of some people, exorcising their rights, who do they think they are??? "
++1

+++1

[dansgold]

I fully understand the point that all of these open carriers are trying to make. I just think they're making it poorly, and in ways likely to produce effects opposite to what they'd like.

The goal when open carrying should be to portray as positive an image as possible ... even to the point of silliness. I honestly think people should do things like duracote an AK47 in pink paisley and stick a bouquet of flowers in the muzzle ... and carry it around that way. Is is any LESS a weapon at that point? Add a t-shirt saying something like "Safe Weapons in Responsible Hands". Certainly it creates a soft fuzzy image and undercuts press attempts to make it look scary.

That's probably not a perfectly formed concept, but I think the idea is sound. Congruency with the GOAL is what is important, not a belligerent display. Otherwise we come off like those idiots who exercise "free speech" by shouting obscenities "to make a point".

[Booshanky]

To me it sounds like going to the doctor, unshaven, dirty, and looking generally scuzzy saying you have a terrible migraine and need a demerol shot. You're not wrong, but it just doesn't look right.

They're trying to influence the media, but the people in the media are generally idiots when it comes to this stuff. Has this gotten anyone in the media to give any positive coverage about this stuff? No. Chris matthews, when he wasn't yelling like a maniac, treated that yellow shirt guy like an ***. Rick Sanchez just acted like an idiot about this Chris guy and his AR.

If you're going to a gun rights rally, bring a gun, but I don't really generally see the point in doing this stuff when you know it's just going to make us all look bad.

And the really crappy thing is that I totally think this guy is rad for doing it. I just don't think it's productive.

[hill billy]

I just want to know what assasignations is.

I want to know who has been exorcising their rights when simply exercising them would probably suffice. I am of the mind that there is no such thing as bad publicity in this case. All these talking heads saying " Wow, that's actually legal" on national television is not all bad.

[cqbdude]

Maybe they are just showing NObama that the rest of the country is not going to roll over like Kalifornia did when it came to 2nd amendment rights.

[Nodda Duma]

There is nothing wrong with those gun owners. They are actually pretty smart. It is a clear indicator to politicians across the country that citizens are concerned with their 2A rights...concerned enough that a few are willing to carry firearms to a presidential gathering.

When was the last time you saw that? I didn't see it in '94.

-Jason

[YoungGun2]

[dirtykoala]

+1!
ive noticed people have been using their rights in ways that could upset others. if your going to offend people while exercising your rights, you shouldnt have any! someone needs to bring down the first, second, fourth, and fifth amendment rights. im getting sick of people having the freedom of speech and assembly, i want everyone to quietly go to and from work, and not say anything offensive all day, no political or sports discussions should take place, no one should assemble or rally for their beliefs. gun owners should only be allowed to have guns in their home, locked with a minimum of 3 different types of locking devises, and they should not have more than 20 rounds per caliber that they own, there is no need for more than that much ammo for self defense. if you must bring your gun outside of your house, you should have it stripped and shipped by an authorized carrier. the 4th amendment, that is a crazy one, if a cop asks you for ID while you are enjoying some coffee on a sunday afternoon, you should be required to give it to him, if a cop kicks your door in while you are sleeping, so be it, they probably had a good reason! and the 5th, i dont even want to get started on the 5th... why do you have to proven guilty? why are you allowed to not answer questions from police? if a cop said it happend and it was against the law, then it happend and it was against the law.

sorry for the rant, im just sick and tired of constitutional rights.