Man carrying assault weapon attends Obama protest

Associated Press by AMANDA LEE MYERS, TERRY TANG, Associated Press Writers | Aug. 17, 2009 (News Report)

PHOENIX – About a dozen people carrying guns, including one with a military-style rifle, milled among protesters outside the convention center where President Barack Obama was giving a speech Monday — the latest incident in which protesters have openly displayed firearms near the president.

Gun-rights advocates say they're exercising their constitutional right to bear arms and protest, while those who argue for more gun control say it could be ... Full Story »

Posted by Michael Bugeja

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Michael Bugeja
3.2
 by Michael Bugeja - Aug. 18, 2009

This news report covers a new kind of Obama protest by Second Amendment advocates using their First Amendment right to assemble bearing assault rifles in states that allow for displays and concealment of firearms. The reporters note that such assemblies create a dangerous situation for those attending rallies as well as distracting Secret Service in charge of the President's safety.

The reporters entirely miss the First Amendment right to assemble, which I note above. They also miss something else: a conflict of First and Second Amendment rights, because protestors with guns claiming a right to assemble can suppress free speech by their very display.

“When you start to bring guns to political rallies, it does layer on another level of concern and significance,” Solop said. “It actually becomes quite scary for many people. It creates a chilling effect in the ability of our society to carry on honest communication.” He said he’s never heard of someone bringing an assault weapon near a presidential event. “The larger the gun, the more menacing the situation,” he said.

Here the AP writers fail to note the conflict between First and Second Amendments, and that the weapon-toters are claiming both while suppressing speech for others.

Michael posted this story.

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