One: 70-year-old man defends himself [h/t Alphecca]
The full story makes it clear [as the excerpt does not] that the 70-year-old former Marine was carrying his weapon concealed.
Two: Sacramento county Sheriff admits that more people need to carry concealed weapons [again, h/t Alphecca]
Three: pro-Obama health-care protestor shows up in Mesa AZ with weapon and ... virtually no one in the MSM except MSNBC reports the story [h/t Hube]:
Looking at the picture, he obviously intimidated the hell out of the women waving her finger in his face.
Three points on a line: an elderly citizen defends himself with his personal weapon [it happens every day]; law enforcement in one of America's most populous counties admits that more people should be armed; and the rest of the media beyond MSNBC completely ignores an armed pro-Obama protestor in a Mesa AZ demonstration.
That last one is most interesting because it points out that (a) open carry advocates are not just fringe reactionaries; and that (b) it's difficult to run the presumed threat/intimidation angle in Phoenix if you don't run it in Mesa.
And--curiously--none of these gun related stories can be connected in any way, shape, or form to rightwing rhetoric or the militia movement. Which doesn't mean that Mark Potok of the SPLC won't eventually try.
According to Plantation [Florida] police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 North Pine Road just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner, Mr. Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Mr. Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money, but then Mr. Lovell pulled his handgun and opened fire. He shot one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.
[…]
He is not expected to be charged authorities said. ‘’He was in fear for his life,'’ Detective Rettig said, “These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70’s have military backgrounds and aren’t intimidated by idiots.”
The full story makes it clear [as the excerpt does not] that the 70-year-old former Marine was carrying his weapon concealed.
Two: Sacramento county Sheriff admits that more people need to carry concealed weapons [again, h/t Alphecca]
Sacramento County may be about to experience an increase in the number of gun owners with permits to carry concealed weapons.
Sheriff John McGinness called it a necessary move, given his department’s lack of resources to properly protect the public.
“I think in the interest of doing right by the public and the constituency, we had to make some acknowledgment of the fact that it’s a different environment out there,” McGinness said. “As things have changed, our ability to respond effectively and ensure their safety has been compromised. Therefore, I think it’s only appropriate that we look at these applications with a different thought process in mind.”
Three: pro-Obama health-care protestor shows up in Mesa AZ with weapon and ... virtually no one in the MSM except MSNBC reports the story [h/t Hube]:
Except for one counterprotester, apparently the only one within shouting distance. The man would only give his first name as he stood alone, wearing a Yankee baseball team shirt, a handgun on his hip, holding a contrary sign.
Josh, who explained he would only give his first name because of the type of work he does, said he was a Democrat among a sea of non-Democrats, touting health care reform, but not reforms over his right to bear arms.
"Part of my passion as a Democrat is the right to bear arms," Josh said.
A veteran, and from a long family history of veterans, the man who was very much alone in the small crowd of protesters said he believed in fighting for the less fortunate.
"I am a firm supporter of health care for every American," he said.
Looking at the picture, he obviously intimidated the hell out of the women waving her finger in his face.
Three points on a line: an elderly citizen defends himself with his personal weapon [it happens every day]; law enforcement in one of America's most populous counties admits that more people should be armed; and the rest of the media beyond MSNBC completely ignores an armed pro-Obama protestor in a Mesa AZ demonstration.
That last one is most interesting because it points out that (a) open carry advocates are not just fringe reactionaries; and that (b) it's difficult to run the presumed threat/intimidation angle in Phoenix if you don't run it in Mesa.
And--curiously--none of these gun related stories can be connected in any way, shape, or form to rightwing rhetoric or the militia movement. Which doesn't mean that Mark Potok of the SPLC won't eventually try.
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