why are people bringing assault rifles to obama health care rallies?

[Aizen]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32457652/ns/politics-white_house/


what do assault rifles have to do with health care reform?

[dead0man]

From your link:

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A semi-automatic rifle is NOT an "assault rifle".

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I don't know why somebody would bring one to a town hall meeting, but what he did was perfectly legal (as it should be).

[Zarn]

It's a general demonstration of liberty.

[Mechaman]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32457652/ns/politics-white_house/


what do assault rifles have to do with health care reform?

No idea, he probably brought it just in case things get ugly (if he's a sane).

[Lief 🗽]

To kill things. Why else would anyone bring a gun anywhere?

[Mechaman]

To kill things. Why else would anyone bring a gun anywhere?

Did he now?

[dead0man]

To kill things. Why else would anyone bring a gun anywhere?

Right, everytime anybody has ever brought a gun anywhere their intention was to kill.  Your logic is astonishing.

[Mechaman]

To kill things. Why else would anyone bring a gun anywhere?

Right, everytime anybody has ever brought a gun anywhere their intention was to kill.  Your logic is astonishing.

That's Rhode Scholarship material right there.

[MK]

I don't like deadman, but hes cooking them here.

[Lief 🗽]

To kill things. Why else would anyone bring a gun anywhere?

Right, everytime anybody has ever brought a gun anywhere their intention was to kill.  Your logic is astonishing.

I don't know why else you would own a gun. To look cool? To pretend to kill things? The purpose of a gun is to kill or seriously injure.

[dead0man]

Yes, we understand that you don't get it.  You don't need to go on and on about it.

[Lief 🗽]

Still haven't pointed out what's wrong with my logic. If the purpose of a gun is to kill or seriously injure and we assume that these people aren't bringing guns to these things randomly but for a reason, then it makes sense that they're bringing the gun with violent intentions.

[Mechaman]

Still haven't pointed out what's wrong with my logic. If the purpose of a gun is to kill or seriously injure and we assume that these people aren't bringing guns to these things randomly but for a reason, then it makes sense that they're bringing the gun with violent intentions.

Well why hasn't any of them tried acting out these "violent intentions"?

[dead0man]

Still haven't pointed out what's wrong with my logic. If the purpose of a gun is to kill or seriously injure and we assume that these people aren't bringing guns to these things randomly but for a reason, then it makes sense that they're bringing the gun with violent intentions.

So why hasn't there been any violent actions?  You'd have to ask the individuals bringing guns to these events what their specific reasons for bringing them, I don't live in their head.  I'm sure somebody has asked them....from the link in the OP:

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But your logic that the purpose of bringing a gun somewhere is only to kill or seriously injure is what keeps bringing me back.  Do the police plan on killing everyday?  Does the guy making large cash drops for his business plan on shooting somebody every time he carries?  Guys going to shoot skeet?  Plexico Burress?


Nobody expects you to change your mind, you've clearly had it made up for so long you're above doing any research on the subject.  Just like all gun control advocates.

[dead0man]

My favorite part is that all the articles I've seen on this are calling them "assault rifles".  It's not like we've never had this discussion before.  And everytime we do, "assault rifle" is always defined and the gun control fundies corrected....and yet here we are again. 

Facts have a liberal bias my ass.  Good thing they've never blasted anybody for using "scary" words to get a biased point across.

[Lief 🗽]

These nutjobs are neither police officers or security guards. And they certainly aren't going to these things to shoot skeet...

But whatever. Clearly, anyone who ever carries a gun with him anywhere is a freedom fighter exercising his rights and anyone who raises the slightest concern is a fascist.

[dead0man]

Yet I never claimed they were.  I believe there is a term for that type of argument.

Have you got any theories as to why there has been no violence at one of these yet?  Tough one isn't it?


On the other hand, it's probaby best if you duck out now.  Maybe a new day will bring you some back up with better arguments.

[Lief 🗽]

Plenty of reasons why there thankfully hasn't been violence yet. For one, most of these people are paranoid and insecure cowards. The delusional fear they have of black helicopters or socialism extends to these situations; behind their big guns, they're scared little people. Second, luckily police have been at most of these things, to keep things from spiraling out of control. They've been kept in designated areas away from the politicians with whose blood they'd like to water that tree of liberty of theirs. Lastly, some of these people no doubt want to convey only the threat of killing/injury/violence, so that debate is stifled and people, not wishing to endanger themselves for a political issue, shut up.

[dead0man]

But you said people dont bring gun places for reasons other to kill and maim...were you wrong then?

Plenty of reasons why there thankfully hasn't been violence yet. For one, most of these people are paranoid and insecure cowards. The delusional fear they have of black helicopters or socialism extends to these situations; behind their big guns, they're scared little people.

I'm sure you truly believe this.  I have no idea whether it's true or not.  Probably is for some, not for others.  Stereotyping with preconceived notions is certainly the easy way.

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As they should be.  You'd think if they were there for blood they would have made a scene instead of just standing there talking to the people that talk to them.

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But they are too scared to act right?

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Ahhh, like Teamsters! or Black Panthers at voting booths!

[Landslide Lyndon]

As I wrote a couple of days ago, considering the history of political assasinations and overall violence by right-wing extremists, whoever talks about people just exercising their second amendment rights is either dangerously naive or dangerously cavalier.

[dead0man]

You think the police and Secret Service are going to let a dude get in sight of Obama with an AR-15 on his back?  Somebody is naive here and it ain't people talking about exercising their second amendment rights.  I think it's the people hiding weapons we should be worried about, not proudly strapped to their thigh or across their back.  Not so oddly, the police and Secret Service agree with me.

[opebo]

These people are bringing these weapons to threaten their political opponents with murder.

It really is almost unbelievable how low the US has fallen to be allowing this sort of behavior.

[Landslide Lyndon]

You think the police and Secret Service are going to let a dude get in sight of Obama with an AR-15 on his back?  Somebody is naive here and it ain't people talking about exercising their second amendment rights.  I think it's the people hiding weapons we should be worried about, not proudly strapped to their thigh or across their back.  Not so oddly, the police and Secret Service agree with me.

So, what you are saying is that the presence of police and secret service is proof that these people aren't dangerous?
I'm sorry but I can't follow your logic.

And since when are death threats and calls for insurrection considered acceptable political behavior?

And by the way, I remember that they have already apprehended a man who tried to enter one of these town halls with a concealed weapon.   

[dead0man]

So, what you are saying is that the presence of police and secret service is proof that these people aren't dangerous?
I'm sorry but I can't follow your logic.

No, I'm saying these people aren't dangerous because they are not acting dangerous.  If they were, the police and SS would be do something about them.

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They aren't, have any of the gun carriers made death threats and calls for insurrection?  If they have, they should be investigated...just like anybody that makes a threat towards a sitting (or former) President.

(I'll concede "watering the tree of liberty" can sound a bit scary when the guy is carrying...but that doesn't mean he's about to start popping caps in asses anymore than a guy hanging Bush the Lesser in effigy is about to start stringing up Republicans)

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Good, then they were doing their job.  I hope the guy is treated appropriately.


What do you think should be done to these people? (not the guy sneaking in with a gun, just the guys standing in approved protest zones)

[opebo]

What do you think should be done to these people? (not the guy sneaking in with a gun, just the guys standing in approved protest zones)

In an idea world they would be arrested for carrying a gun around in public, the gun would be confiscated, and they'd spend a few months in jail.