Posted on 04/07/2018 7:39:57 AM PDT by mabarker1
A South Carolina Republican congressman is not backing down from critics after he pulled out his own personal — and loaded — .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun during a meeting with constituents Friday.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, told The Post and Courier he pulled out the weapon and placed it on a table for several minutes in attempt to make a point that guns are only dangerous in the hands of criminals.
"I'm not going to be a Gabby Giffords," Norman said afterward, referring to the former Arizona Democratic congresswoman who was shot outside a Tucson-area grocery store during a constituent gathering in 2011.
Norman was speaking to constituents about gun violence during a public meeting at the Rock Hill Diner. The act drew immediate criticism from Democrats and others.
Lori Freemon, a volunteer with the South Carolina chapter of a gun control group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, argued Norman's actions were "a far cry from what responsible gun ownership looks like."
"I had looked forward to a respectful dialogue with my representative about common-sense gun violence prevention policies," said Freemon, one of three people who were talking to Norman at the time.
"Instead, I felt unsafe when he insisted on showing us his loaded gun and keeping it out on the table for much of our conversation,” she said.
The incident happened at one of the many "coffee with constituents" meetings the freshman lawmaker hosts around South Carolina's 5th Congressional District.
Norman said he pulled out the gun, pointed it away from the meeting attendees and put it on a table for about five minutes while they continued their conversation over breakfast.
The move, Norman said, was intended to prove "guns don't shoot people; people shoot guns."
Norman is a state concealed carry permit holder and said he regularly brings his gun with him when out in public.
If anyone walked into the diner and started shooting, Norman told the attendees, he would be able to protect them because of his gun.
"I don't mind dying, but whoever shoots me better shoot well or I'm shooting back," he told The Post and Courier.
South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Trav Robertson said he plans to request an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division, pointing to a statute that says it is illegal to "present or point at another person a loaded or unloaded firearm."
SLED spokesman Thom Berry said the agency will consider the request once they receive it.
Norman said he does not believe his actions violated the law.
Far from regretting the decision, Norman said he plans to do it more often at constituent meetings moving forward. He contested the notion that anyone was frightened at the sight of the gun, saying nobody reacted strongly or tried to leave the meeting.
"I'm tired of these liberals jumping on the guns themselves as if they are the cause of the problem," Norman said. "Guns are not the problem."
Lori Carter, who also attended the meeting, said Norman put the gun on the table about 20 minutes into the conversation. She said he had just finished telling the group that gun violence is a spiritual, mental or people issue, not a gun issue.
"And then he chose to take the gun out and put it on the table not knowing if any of us had mental health issues," said Carter, a public school teacher from Charlotte, N.C.
"What was to prevent me from leaning across the table to take that gun?" she said. "So to me, it was contradictory."
While Carter acknowledged she did not panic at the time, she described it as an uncomfortable situation.
PING!
Secondary PING!
Eff the state and its permits.
Well we get to pick and choose the laws we want to obey anyway. Lots of people want to ignore the immigration laws. Others want to ignore the gun laws.
So He's not going to let this eating establishment turn into Luby's in Killeen,TX...
I'd eat with this Man.
Agreed, We have the 2A, I consider that My “permit”.
Well put!
Touche’
I was just linking it to a previous thread. Many may not have seen the earlier one, so I linked it.
No apology necessary, I’m not the posting police (VBG).
OK
I actually got some sleep last night or I would have seen #1 Thread.
“And then he chose to take the gun out and put it on the table not knowing if any of us had mental health issues,” said Carter, a public school teacher from Charlotte, N.C.”
Being a teacher, she likely does have mental health issues.
““And then he chose to take the gun out and put it on the table not knowing if any of us had mental health issues,” said Carter, a public school teacher from Charlotte, N.C. “What was to prevent me from leaning across the table to take that gun?” she said. “So to me, it was contradictory.””
No, Ms. (pubic school teacher) Carter, it PRECISELY made his point. Any fear present was fear of a person using the gun, not the gun itself.
Pubic school teachers are America’s 2nd worst cancer, after lawyers.
YOUR GUN JUST SCEERED MEEEEE!!!!!!!
HELP! HELP! HELP!- Somebody call the PO-PO!!!!!
You MEAN, SCARY, RIGHTWING, TERRORIST!!!!!
South Carolina law : ARTICLE 4*
Concealed Weapon Permits
SECTION 23-31-205. Name.
This article may be cited as the "Law Abiding Citizens Self-Defense Act of 1996".
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 464, Section 1.
SECTION 23-31-210. Definitions.
As used in this article:(5) "Concealable weapon" means a firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measured along its greatest dimension that must be carried in a manner that is hidden from public view in normal wear of clothing except when needed for self-defense, defense of others, and the protection of real or personal property.**
I'm pretty sure he could, and should, be charged with an offense.
* excerpt
** emphasis mine
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