CNN’s Rick Sanchez landed a lengthy interview yesterday with the man behind the man carrying a AR-15 rifle outside of the Phoenix Convention Center before President Barack Obama’s appearance Monday. Ernie Hancock – Valley radio talk show host, Ron Paul supporter and publisher of a libertarian news Web site — admitted he invited “Chris B.” to join those rallying outside the convention center with the rifle specifically to make a point about gun rights. This should have put an end to a bunch of silly talk about whether Obama somehow was in danger, even through “Chris B.” never was in visual range of the president. Instead, Hancock’s involvement is ratcheting up the conspiracy theories.
First, take a look at the Sanchez video:
Now, pop over to Talking Points Memo and you’ll get a good summary of what the liberal blogosphere is saying about Hancock and the gun incident.
Look, I’m not going to defend some of Hancock’s wilder theories about politics and news events. But I’ve known the man for at least six years. He used to be the producer on a local radio talk show I guest-hosted one day for three hours. Hancock is passionate about defending American liberties as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, and that includes the Second Amendment. He wants to engage the public in debating these issues, and finds unusual ways to do so. He’s not out to hurt anyone.
A reminder, “Chris B.” was acting well within Arizona law and never was stopped or questioned by law enforcement.
This is not the first time Hancock has tested public response to gun rights. In the past, Hancock has gone to government buildings carrying a gun to demand they comply with Arizona law which requires such places to provide a locker for securing weapons, or allow the person to keep the firearm at his side. Once Hancock had made his point, he has walked away, even when it’s clear the government agency is violating the law.
Hancock has gotten what he wanted from Monday’s ploy, even if a lot of the attention has been negative. Now, don’t we have better things to discuss, like the leaked episode of Mad Men?
UPDATE: Travel guide author Arthur Frommer is so frightened by “Chris B.” and others who exercised their Second Amendment rights Monday that he’s now refusing to travel to Arizona, and he’s suggesting others do the same. Does that imply Frommer eventually will have to leave the United States entirely as the Supreme Court continues to expand on its recent ruling that Second Amendment means what it says?
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And they threw a gentleman out of the crowd for wearing a t-shirt denouncing then President Bush at one of his speaches, but this guy (and others) are allowed to bring assault rifles,etc to a speach by President Obama.
Something really wrong here!
I agree it’s a shame that anybody who is peacefully protesting politicians or govt policies gets hassled by the press or security forces. Americans have the right to peacefully protest just as they have the right to bear arms. He was doing both.
Clearly this man (Chris) was no threat to anyone. He was there to be interviewed by a sympathetic radio host. He spoke his mind. He believes what a lot of Americans believe. He was exercising two basic American rights. Let’s hope those rights never get lost to a government that exceeds its Constitutional limits.
According to Associated Press, about a dozen people carrying guns milled among protesters outside the convention center where President Barack Obama was giving a speech Monday in Phoenix.
Though last Friday, no gun-rights advocates were allowed to exercising their constitutional right to bear arms outside of the town hall meeting in Belgrade, Montana where President Barack Obama attended. Everything was orchestrated down to the last detail to make it appear that Montana was for Obama and the White House health care plan.
If it had been a white man, I think the outcome would have been a lot differnt…
Why is it that only Arizonan’s carry fire arms to political rallies in the 21st century? Surely not because we are the most highly educated state. Maybe because we are once again proving that we are truly the “dumbest state in the nation”??
Actually this was brandishing a weapon with an intent to intimidate.
It’s the kinds of thing that Fascists do.
As things escalate beyond the contol of these puppetmasters, the gun toters may have to start worrying about their own safety. And the people that are manipulating these constitution quoting gun toters could find themselves in a fix that their mouths cannot get themselves out of.
So you think he wasn’t a threat and that some people were over-reacting? What if this gentleman had wandered, armed as he was, into the following situations:
a. your kid’s graduation
b. your kid’s soccer game
c. the restaurant where you’re having dinner with your family
Would you feel perfectly comfortable, saying he was simply exercising his second amendment rights or would you be just a bit nervous? Now be honest; you’d be on high alert wouldn’t you?
As Ron Reagan said, “Just because you have the right doesn’t make it right.” This stunt was stupid and has done nothing but damage to the state. It will affect tourism at a time we can’t afford to lose those dollars, and one has to wonder if it won’t also do damage to attracting new business to Arizona.
And what exactly was the point, other than muscle flexing and compensation for inadequate body parts? We all know carrying guns in public is allowed in Arizona. It seems that like the German Brown Shirts, this was intended to be intimidating and create fear of dissent.
Smooth move, Einsteins! And I’m guessing you’ll be the first one to throw tantrums over tax hikes that will be needed to pay for revenue you’ve cost the state.
I believe in the right to bear arms. However, when only ONE person, at a gathering has a weapon, I start to remember things like the Columbine shooting, et al. Like anything else, there’s a time a place for everything.
MSNBC tried to claim he was a white man and it was a race issue.
I want to thank every gun owner that practices safety so that I feel safer. I think these men were respectful and had every right to carry. If more people that are responsible gun owners carried to public places, such as schools, etc people would feel safer. Most people in America don’t understand the Constitution and this is where public schools have failed us! No one was threatened at this event.
Thank you for every safe gun owner in Arizona for standing up for all of our rights but mostly for standing up to the government.