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Police Spokesman Confirms That Gun Was Dropped At Dem Congresswoman's Event
Officer Marcus Gonzalez, the public relations representative for the police in Douglas, Arizona, has confirmed to TPM that police were indeed called out to an event last week by Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, where an attendee had dropped a gun.
Gonzalez does not know any further details at this time. But he could confirm to us that it was "not just media hype."
The Arizona Daily Star reports:
"Yelling and screaming is counterproductive," she told the Sierra Vista Herald at a Congress on Your Corner event last week. There, one visitor dropped a gun at the meet n' greet held in a Douglas Safeway, her staff says.
That has aides, who called police to the event, concerned for her safety.
"We have never felt the need before to notify law enforcement when we hold these events," said spokesman C.J. Karamargin.
A call to Giffords' office has not been returned.
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Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Gives a whole new meaning to the word greet.
August 10, 2009 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Metal detectors and body searches. If we can't take anything on a plane, these bozos need their guns confiscated at the site, and probably ought to be arrested as well.
August 10, 2009 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only a matter of time. This is starting to get scary. They keep firing up the whackos and are encouraging violence. This isn't the America I know. I want my country back.
August 10, 2009 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
"This isn't the America I know. I want my country back."
2nd.
August 10, 2009 6:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I understand the concern, given the wild behavior at some of these meetings. However, it is not against the law for a licensed concealed carry permit holder to carry a firearm into a political forum. Dropping it doesn't speak too well for him/her though.
August 10, 2009 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gabby's a Blue Dog through and through and is one of the people that needs leaning on on a number of issues. Certainly bringing a gun won't help, but calling her office certainly will. She needs to get behind the mule and plow on this one and I'm confident that she will come around. Now if only I had better Senators in Arizona. Sadly, it looks like John McCain is getting virtually a free pass this upcoming election.
August 10, 2009 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
While I think it's unacceptable to bring a gun to an event where a public official is doing his/her job of keeping constituents informed, given the location of this event, it's sort of understandable. Arizona has long been an 'open carry' state -- as long as the sidearm is not concealed, it's legal to carry a pistol in public. It may not be the best public policy, and will nevertheless attract the police in a city like Phoenix or Tucson.
Sierra Vista, however, is rural and in cowboy country intertwined with the Army's Ft. Huachuca. If this dropped weapon came from an outside holster and was a revolver, its mere presence means nothing much. OTOH, if someone pinched it from the owner's holster or it was a military weapon, it might mean something else: 1. stealing it for a bad purpose or 2. surreptitiously disarming someone for safety reasons. Either way, it could be trouble. (Of course there are other possible explanations, none of which are entirely acceptable for responsible gun-owning.)
Probably best to set the rules for attendance: **No guns allowed.**
August 10, 2009 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would set the rules for any public place or forum or anywhere, no guns allowed. This isn't the wild west anymore and there is absolutely no need for anyone to be packing heat in the 21st Century. Hunting ok, in public, forget it.
August 10, 2009 7:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Different states have different provisions but in Texas someone can post a sign stating that licensed firearms are not permitted or they can verbally tell everyone. Once legally notified license holders must leave their firearms outside. In these forums the adrenaline is almost as bad as alcohol so I can see banning guns from them. We can debate the effectiveness concealed carry laws have had on reducing violent crime another time. (hint: everywhere concealed carry has passed violent crime has plunged)
August 10, 2009 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
And violent crime has also plunged everywhere concealed carry hasn't passed, so that's proof of nothing. On the other hand more people have been shot by people carrying concealed weapons where concealed carry has passed. Which is to be expected, since the whole point of concealed carry is to enable people who would otherwise not shoot other people, to shoot other people. So that's not really proof of anything either.
August 10, 2009 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Guns don't kill people - people with guns kill people!
And don't get me started on those damned bullets. Carry all the guns you want. One round of any handgun ammunition will cost you $3,000. (Hat tip to Chris Rock!)
August 10, 2009 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, there is nothing unusual about someone carrying a handgun at the Safeway in Douglas, Arizona.
August 11, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Coming soon to theatres: 3.10 to PUMA.
August 11, 2009 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm still waiting for the media pandemonium which followed the Black Panther with a nightstick incident.
August 11, 2009 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why all the anxiety over a dropped firearm?
Why so many helpless people crying to the government (as if they are your friend) to help them feel safe and secure.
Most of you have no idea where you came from, do you?
How can we get our country back with all these ninnies?
January 27, 2010 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink