MSNBC Freaks Out: Lawfully Armed Citizen Protesting Obama Outside Portsmouth Town Hall

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

MSNBC is having an on air meltdown over a man their camera crew videotaped openly carrying a handgun at an anti-Obama protest in Portsmouth, New Hampshire this morning near where Barack Obama will be holding a town hall meeting later today.

MSNBC showed footage of the man with the gun openly holstered to his right leg. He was holding a large sign with words about the tree of liberty.

The Portsmouth police chief informed MSNBC the man was legally armed.

The man was reportedly standing with a group of protesters on the property of a church.

More as this develops.

[RedRightReturn]

I’ll take “Who said that” for $500 Steve0

I believe it was Jesus Christ who spoke those words.

[Joe Brower]

Despite the whining of some here about this man being openly armed, such is his legal right. And in light of the violence being systematically employed against law-abiding citizens simply using their First Amendment rights, actions taken on the basis of the Second are not surprising.

I would not advise open carry, however, for a variety of tactical reasons, not the least of which is that it makes you a target, and gives warning to the adversary.

It's the ace up one's sleeve that wins this game best.

[Nathan Zachary]

"However, I would also not have done so today. Whether we like it or not, there is a different “security” standard that applies to the POTUS, whether he is Republican or democrat. I would not openly carry a weapon anywhere near a presidential event. It’s a matter of personal discretion."

He might risk being tackled by the secret service if he showed up at the same time as the pres, but I would think they check out the situation before he is anywhere near the place, and would probably tell the guy to take it home, or turn it over for the duration of the visit.

[trisham]

From the article:

The Portsmouth police chief informed MSNBC the man was legally armed.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

We must always conduct ourselves in a manner that the mortal enemies of liberty find acceptable and non-threatening.

Sounds like a winning strategy to me.

[Mr. Mojo]

it’s not unreasonable for protestors to be concerned about their own safety.

Absolutely, which is why I'd carry in the manner I always do -- concealed.

[Graing]

“At this time sending the message conveyed by the firearm is not productive...

Care to divine the guns message for us?”

LOL, maybe it’s “Sheesh, clean me once in a while”.

I don’t understand all the boo-hooing with someone exercising their rights. And the “won’t you think of the poor poor secret service agents” - Hah.

Maybe if the White House didn’t feel the need to send out union goons to beat down a conservative black man for handing out flags while hurling racial epithets at him or terrorizing a man, his wife and handicapped son in the middle of the night, upstanding citizens wouldn’t feel that need for extra protection.

And since when do we care what the liberal media thinks of us? Are we all John McCain now? Sheesh.

[kristinn]

Talking Points Memo has a couple screen grabs from MSNBC:

[takenoprisoner]

Recently more and more people have been openly carrying.

One thing for sure, union thugs won’t be attacking this fella.

[Elsiejay]

He should have been garbed in black and carrying a police baton (aka “nightstick”), like unto a Black Panther poll watcher.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Legally armed. Attention-seeking dumbass."

Good! Would that there were more to remind law enforcement at all levels just what our rights are.

[Apple Blossom]

Look what Kristinn posted...

[Nathan Zachary]

"You’re buying into the mindset that being armed is something extraordinary and that conservatives should be defensive about it. Instead, it should be reinstituted as a common thing about which people don’t faint at first sight. Do you freak out too? Curious."

Only when the person carrying it uses it to intimidate other people, like walking slowly around a table of noisy people in a restaurant, making sure they see his penis..er gun, and telling them to keep the noise down, because he doesn't like noisy people disturbing his meal.

[LibWhacker]

Not testy enough, imho. There were towns in the old west where the RKBA wasn’t recognized within city limits. Dodge City and Tombstone come to mind. But I agree with you: Progressives have made it a orders of magnitude worse.

[Niteranger68]

And since when do we care what the liberal media thinks of us? Are we all John McCain now? Sheesh.

Good shot...a 10 ringer for sure!

[True Republican Patriot]

Ronald R is a Freaking Discredit to All Americans and especially his father, the Great President Ronald Reagan!
Maybe the Freak will choke on his own vile words one day soon!

[BP2]

The Founding Fathers gave us the 2nd Amendment
to leverage and enforce the 1st Amendment.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

I would have been more discreet.

The problem here is the media which wants people to think that gun = bad intention.

They hate guns in the hands of normal, honest, law-abiding people but love guns in the hands of criminals who take money from normal, honest, law-abiding people.

[hoosierham]

Armed citizens might impede the arrogant young cops of today from their assigned primary role of civilian intimidation.

The weenies and libtards can't have that.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Maybe so, but the fact that carrying a weapon openly is legal does not mean it is a sensible thing to do. At this time sending the message conveyed by the firearm is not productive and helps the left in stereotyping our opposition as being right wing militia types."

And when the meeting ends, and NOTHING HAS HAPPENED as a result of this peacefully armed citizen exercising his rights, the exact opposite of your thesis above will be the point made.