Holy S**t -- Obama speaks out in favor of the open carriers

[ericire12]

The second holy shit moment here is that this story is being covered by The Washington Post!



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081803416.html?hpid=topnews

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said people are entitled to carry weapons outside such events if local laws allow it. "There are laws that govern firearms that are done state or locally," he said. "Those laws don't change when the president comes to your state or locality."

Anti-gun campaigners disagreed with Gibbs's comments, voicing fears that volatile debates over health-care reform are more likely to turn violent if gun control is not enforced.

"What Gibbs said is wrong," said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Individuals carrying loaded weapons at these events require constant attention from police and Secret Service officers. It's crazy to bring a gun to these events. It endangers everybody."

[MikeBjerum]

As much as I like what that says, I still don't trust this Administration.  What they are really supporting here is the exercising of Rights and doing what is legal.  They are showing respect for a group that acted respectful.  This does not mean that they won't try to enact restrictions and bans in the future. 

Beware the false sense of comfort and security this can build!

[ericire12]

As much as I like what that says, I still don't trust this Administration.  What they are really supporting here is the exercising of Rights and doing what is legal.  They are showing respect for a group that acted respectful.  This does not mean that they won't try to enact restrictions and bans in the future. 

Beware the false sense of comfort and security this can build!

100% true. What I see as so great about this is that the current state of our country is such that they feel that they have to make this statement. Its good news for our side!

[Paraguy]

Even a broken clock is right 2 times a day.

[tumblebug]

Did not see any SEIU tee shirts or did I miss them.

[Sponsor]

[WatchManUSA]

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said people are entitled to carry weapons outside such events if local laws allow it. "There are laws that govern firearms that are done state or locally," he said. "Those laws don't change when the president comes to your state or locality."

His statement is not an endorsement of carry.  Rather it is recognition of the law.

Under his breath he was heard to say, "We'll change that soon enough."

[r_w]

Rather it is recognition of the law.

That in itself is HUGE. 

[WatchManUSA]

That in itself is HUGE. 

Not really, it was recognition that they couldn't do anything about it - for now.  I guess I'm becoming more jaded.  Can you imagine if they had said anything negative about the rights to lawfully carry?  These guys are way to smart to express what they really think in plain language.  Everything is nuanced with double speak so they can deny what is meant by what is said hiding what they really mean.

[blackwolfe]

I don't believe or trust what was said.  When "they" feel the time is right they will strike.

Didn't see any support for Joseph Calanchini in Denver who was never formally charged in court or for John Noble (aka Mtn Jack) in PA who was aquitted on all charges.  This was just a political opportunity to try to gain trust by parsing some words, seeming to offer support.

[fightingquaker13]

I am about to stand up and take my shellacking on Obama as I have missed my quota for the week. The point is this. Obama doesn't really care about guns any more than Reagan did about abortion. Yes, they both said the right things to the base who did care. Yes, they both appointed anti-choice or anti-gun judges. But at the end of the day, any excuse to say "its a state's rights issue" was eagerly siezed upon to pass the hot potato. It wasn't part of their main agenda. They both just wanted the issue to go away or become someone else's problem.
FQ13