Posted on 04/06/2018 4:42:44 PM PDT by Reno89519
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.
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.
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.
"I felt it was highly inappropriate for an elected official, honestly, and it almost felt like an intimidation tactic," Carter said.
Residents applying for a CWP must successfully complete a basic or advanced handgun education course offered by a state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency or a nationally recognized organization that promotes gun safety, according to state law.
The education course must be a minimum of eight hours.
The law also discusses areas where permit holders cannot carry a concealable weapon, including law enforcement facilities, a courthouse, schools, a polling place on election day, among others. Also prohibited is any establishment licensed for on-premises consumption of alcohol.
Violations are subject to fines or possible revocation of the permit.
South Carolina Democrats pounced on Norman's actions, suggesting it was a political stunt.
"Ralph is only pulling his gun out of his pants like a prop, which no responsible gun owner would do, because he barely got elected the first time," said state party Chairman Trav Robertson. "This isn't about gun ownership, it's about his inadequate campaign."
Four Democrats have filed to run against Norman in the 2018 race, including his opponent from last year's special election, Archie Parnell.
State Republicans stood behind Norman.
"Hysterical to see liberals freak out over @RalphNorman accurately demonstrating that guns really are inanimate objects," tweeted state GOP Chairman Drew McKissick.
Figure this is instead a bit of a feel good story for Friday evening. A congressman that pulls out a gun, sits it on table to demonstrate that it is not dangerous or evil. The poor snowflakes all but peed their pants.
Colorado needs a good Representative.
“”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.””
Was she serious? I sure hope she kept her eye on that weapon and could later report that it didn’t move an inch by itself....We need protection from such idiots....
I get the point he was trying to make. But, it’s not a good idea to unholster and display your carry weapon.
In this case why?
Lori Freemon, a volunteer with the South Carolina chapter of a gun control group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America,
“Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America” rolls off the tongue.
Kinda like calling MLB, “Guy Who Swings Bat at Round Projectile Hurled at Him by Guy Standing on Hill”
Either that name comes from a caveman or someone who does not speak English as a native.
They are not mutually exclusive mind you.
I agree.
And the Three Stooges.
Because it doesn’t maximize safety or address an imminent threat. it’s brandishing IMO. If a non congressman did this at a public meeting he’d likely be in the soup.
Doing so is also unfriendly.
Waffle House didn't have room for it.
Granted, if I was at a public meeting and want to do that as a demonstration, I'd be VERY CAREFUL, make sure that the police present knew I was doing it, and I'd make sure it was unloaded, well at least no bullet in the chamber.
Slow, easy, no threat. No problem.
Agreed.
I agree. When I do let mine be seen, or when I open carry, I make sure I have a backup concealed as the public displayed gun makes it and me a target.
Most states are pretty strict on the "concealed" part.
A permit holder usually goes to extraordinary lengths to make sure that he isn't even printing, but you sure as he11 don't flash your weapon or pull it and lay it on a table in front of everybody.
I'm not sure about where he was at the time, but there are places where he could have been arrested for this stunt.
Apparently it is a health threat. It causes incontinence in liberals.
I see the point he’s trying to make however, that loaded gun placed on the table is effectively out of his control.
Basic safe gun handling is to never leave a loaded firearm unattended. I don’t care if it is a foot away from yourself.
We can have arguments over what people do in their homes as far as defensive weapons but this is in a public setting.
Good for him. The snowflakes can shove it.
Oh my god!!!
Lock him up...
Jail him..!!
I agree. Not sure if it qualified as unattended but appreciate the risk. Unloaded would have been more careful and still get the point across. He could have unloaded it in front of them, then set the pistol on the table. Yes, that would have been better.
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