I have said, in reference to scientists, that just because someone can do something, doesn't mean they should do it, and I will repeat that here regarding openly carrying weapons to political events, especially when it is a political event the President of the United States of America is attending.
Arizona is an "open carry" state, where citizens can and do openly carry arms, using their second amendment right to bear arms and I happen to agree with the law that says they can.
With that said, just because they have the right, doesn't always mean they should exercise that right at controversial political events.
Worth noting that not all those carrying were against Obama's policies as one of the men were holding a "reform now" sign.
Also worth noting, there was no violence and no arrests were made, but that is besides the point.
A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Obama's speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken. It was the second instance in recent days in which weapons have been seen near presidential events.
Video from the protest in Phoenix, Arizona, shows the man standing with other protesters, with the rifle slung over his right shoulder.
Phoenix police said authorities monitored about a dozen people carrying weapons while peacefully demonstrating.
"It was a group interested in exercising the right to bear arms," police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said.
We do have the right to bear arms, we do have the right to carry them openly, in certain states, but at an event on an issue as controversial as healthcare aka Obamacare, tempers flare, tension is high and while those carrying might never even think of actually using their weapons for anything other than self defense, there are crazy people in the world today, sad to say but true, and some times common sense needs to prevail over simply making a statement over what rights you have.
Instapundit makes a very good point though about violence at these political events:
Meanwhile, I’ll note that the worst actual violence at any Town Hall event was the Ken Gladney beating. But when a black guy is beaten by white union supporters of Obama’s healthcare plan, it’s not news.
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