A Mousavi supporter holds a toy gun in his hand to intimidate police and militia

ap ^ | 6/22/09 | ap

[Flavius]

TEHRAN, IRAN - A Mousavi supporter holds a toy gun in his hand to intimidate police and militia during a demonstration on June 20, 2009 in Tehran, Iran.

[Principled]

So THAT’S why they don’t want citizens w/ guns?

[Girlene]

Amazing. Thank goodness we have a 2nd ammendment.

[Nervous Tick]

That is a brave man right there. May God keep him safe.

[Hazwaste]

A visual aid to demonstrate why we must never and will never be disarmed.

[AnAmericanMother]

That's what happens when you don't have a 2nd Amendment.

Having to take a fake gun to a gunfight.

I hope he makes it. He looks worried.

I wish we could do like the N.R.A. did at the beginning of WWII, organizing its members to send all their spare firearms to the British Home Guard.

[Billthedrill]

So THAT’S why they don’t want citizens w/ guns?

Yep. Ours are real.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

right!!!

[South40]

Put a target on that man's back.

I understand his passion. But carrying a toy gun in is not going to intimidate anyone. It's just going to get him killed.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

Never, never, never bring a toy gun to a real gun fight! Unless you have an overpowering death wish.

Regards, and I hope he made it home OK.
GtG

[Free State Four]

With all the gun runners/dealers in this world, why can't someone finance the trip of a few weapons across one of the desolate, unwatched borders into Iran?

I'd do it myself, but I'm old and too tired.

[USMA '71]

In a country without a “2nd Amendment”, all that toy gun does is make that guy holding it a target of opportunity for the secret police.

[OldCorps]

This is an extremely foolish thing to do. He will likely be shot ... by someone (islamic gestapo, no doubt) with a real gun.

Brandishing toy firearms in front of police anywhere is an invitation to be blown away.

[Flavius]

yes its one way trip

[docbnj]

Exactly. It is really foolish to pretend to have a gun.

He looks worried because he is being phtographed. He is now rather certain to be recognized, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp.

The people behind him have a few rocks to throw. Again, this is totally inadequate weaponry.

[smokingfrog]

Not very smart to put yourself in danger like that. These people must be desperate.

[docbnj]

Exactly. It is really foolish to pretend to have a gun.

He looks worried because he is being phtographed. He is now rather certain to be recognized, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp.

The people behind him have a few rocks to throw. Again, this is totally inadequate weaponry.

[sockmonkey]

But carrying a toy gun in is not going to intimidate anyone. It's just going to get him killed.

Having his uncovered mug pasted all over the internet to be seen by members of the Basiji & Iranian Thugocracy has most likely already marked him, his house, and his family for death, or at best, arrest & torture.

[South40]

Having his uncovered mug pasted all over the internet to be seen by members of the Basiji & Iranian Thugocracy has most likely already marked him, his house, and his family for death, or at best, arrest & torture.

No doubt. But he can always 'HOPE' Obammy will step in and save him.

[humblegunner]

What's with the masks?

Pig flu?

Allegra, have you been handling little Mexican kids who tend pigs again?

[ajwharton]

Yeah, he would be better served carrying a bat or a board with nails at the end, or a boulder. Anything but that useless airsoft POS that will just get him a bullet in his ass.

[Pikachu_Dad]

lots of rocks, but no slings?

lots of trees, but no sticks to make batons?

lots of wrought iron fences, but no iron rods?

lots of tables, but no table legs to tear off?

lots of cars, but no lug nut wrenches?

sigh.

[DTogo]

Never trust a Government that doesn’t trust you to own a gun.

[wastedyears]

If it worked, that’s pretty poor. It’s also a lame replica of an MP5.

[Charles Martel]

Not very smart to put yourself in danger like that. These people must be desperate.

Oh, the desperation part is a given.

[Pallas]

Won’t be surprised if Iranians soon start suicide bombing government thugs, so toy guns will be the least of the “Ahmadinejihadis’” worries.

[Charles Martel]

lots of trees, but no sticks to make batons?

lots of wrought iron fences, but no iron rods?

Yeah, I noticed that too. Maybe the rock-throwing is somehow cultural, but by our standards, they need a remedial class in mob insurrection.

I did notice a picture yesterday that showed an older woman holding aloft a shattered police baton.

[Travis McGee]

That’s a very brave man, making himself sniper bait like that.

[Travis McGee]

He knows that. He doesn’t look stupid in any way. He is making himself sniper bait. Does it get braver than that? He could be at home hiding in a bedroom, but instead he’s on the street, with a target painted on his chest.

[FreepShop1]

A visual aid to demonstrate why we must never and will never be disarmed.

If the Lautenberg Bill passes, we WILL be disarmed.

[Travis McGee]

Having his uncovered mug pasted all over the internet to be seen by members of the Basiji & Iranian Thugocracy has most likely already marked him, his house, and his family for death, or at best, arrest & torture.

He knows that too. He is all the way committed. He is not putting a wet finger in the wind or a toe in the water. He is all the way in. It doesn't get braver than that.

[Chode]

even has a light under the barrel... some toy.

[Travis McGee]

If the Lautenberg Bill passes, we WILL be disarmed.

Speak for yourself.

[South40]

I know; Muslims think it’s good to die. Perhaps he thinks he’ll be the next Neda.

[Travis McGee]

I’d love to see the CIA drop boxes of weapons all over Teheran. WOn’t happen, but I’d love to see it.

[Travis McGee]

Courage takes many forms, this is one of them. He could be home hiding under a bed. He’s not. Is it the best tactic? No. The point is, he has shoved ALL of his freedom chips into the middle of the table. He is “all in.”

How many of us would have that amount of courage, in a similar (disarmed rebellion) situation?

[raptor29]

And someone finally posts the salient point here. Congratulations, McGee, well done.

And for all of you overly scared and cautious know-it-alls, you best get ready to decide whether you too will be one of the “under the bed” types, or will you stand up when needed.

[Chode]

that's prolly all it'd take tooo...

[South40]

I don’t know if it’s as much courage as stupidity. Most young people (under 30) in Iran are educated. But the prior generation had a high rate of illiteracy. Then again, maybe he’s bought into the thought that if you die as a martyr you’ll go to heaven and get your 72 virgins. Either way, his days are likely numbered.

[Michael Barnes]

That’s a very brave man, making himself sniper bait like that.

Yup, enabling the hunter/killers to do their thing, provided they are thinking that far ahead.

[Billthedrill]

Yep. He's got a plastic gun in his hands because it's all he's got. And he's scared to death - I would be - and he's out there anyway because he can't not be.

This is not the guy the thugs want to see with a real gun in his hand. At that point he'd be the most dangerous man in the world. And they know it.

[Chode]

i'm gonna order another set of books for loaners as this set will never leave my book shelf and i'm gonna look into getting a set for the library if they will take them.

[sockmonkey]

The point is, he has shoved ALL of his freedom chips into the middle of the table. He is “all in.”

I have been impressed by the Iranians Freedom Fighter's Tweets. One said, "Being brave, doesn't mean you are not afraid. It means you are willing to step out for freedom even when you are afraid.

[FreepShop1]

He looks worried because he is being phtographed. He is now rather certain to be recognized, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp.

Tragically, you are right. This Iranian was merely photographed on The Economist's front page in 1999, and it cost him 9 years of torture in prison before his release.

[Bobalu]

Yes, and even cheap, stamped metal automatic weapons would be enough...remember the WW2 Sten Gun?

[Travis McGee]

Amen and thanks.

[Travis McGee]

If nothing else, he’s serving as a public diversion, while others do more quiet, secret work.

If nothing else, he is keeping the torch of the freedom fight lit for one more day, wearing out the mullahs, refusing to heed their call to go home.

A lot of dogs died in the game of “bear baiting.” But to doubt their courage? Never. Would it be my tactic? No, but I”m not a disarmed slave fighting for my first breath of freedom.

[Travis McGee]

Yes, and I salute them all, who are still on the streets, wearing down the police, wearing down the mullahs.

There are rumors that the “supreme leader” Khamanei has fled Teheran. Is it true? Who knows? But such rumors give the freedom fighters more fuel, and wear down the dictators.

Every day of street protests and street fighting shortens the days of the regime.

Remember Rumania? They had the toughest security forces, and they brought in “Basenji” type thugs to crack heads.

But when Rumania shattered, it happened with lightning speed, because freedom-thirsting Rumanians kept up the pressure day by day, even at great risk.

[Travis McGee]

Yep, wait until these guys get a few guns. If any police or military units flip, it will be a new ball game.

[Tainan]

Darwin Award candidate.