Neither Donovan nor Petro can recall a precedent for the recent trend of protesters carrying weapons to presidential events. But it doesn’t appear to be the result of any organized effort. The National Rifle Association, whose website encourages its members to attend and speak up at congressional town-hall meetings, didn’t respond to a request for comment on protesters’ brandishing guns. But Paul Helmke, who heads the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, says such an act “endangers all in attendance” and that even if their actions are legal, “common sense” should dictate that gun owners keep their weapons away from such gatherings. “Loaded weapons at political forums endanger all involved, distract law enforcement and end up stifling debate,” he says. “Presidential protesters need to leave their firearms at home — no exceptions.”