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Tea Party protesters in New Mexico bring their big guns
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by Rory Cripps | January 3, 2010 at 04:37 am
2479 views | 38 Recommendations | 36 comments
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The Otero Tea Party Patriots and the newly formed Alamogordo Second Amendment Task Force held an anti-Obama protest rally on Saturday in Alamogordo New Mexico.
Several hundred people, many carrying rifles and handguns, attended the 2-hour event. There were no reported incidents of violence.
Leslie Feilner, who recently moved to Alamogordo from Alaska with her husband, said about the .454 Taurus Casull that she was carrying, "It's a bear gun. We've never had to use it."
Feilner's English Pointer had a 9mm strapped to his side and a sign that read, "Bring it on, Obama." Feilner told reporters, "I'm a Christian and a peace-loving person, but I enjoy the right to buy and carry them."
Ron Browne of Alamogordo, who attended the event, said, "You have the guns. Eventually, you'll have the hate, then someone will actually take it one step further and try to hurt the president." Browne commented further, "Hate has to start somewhere and grow. This is it, right here. You're looking at it."
Jim Kizer, of Alamogordo, carried his .444 Marlin rifle and .41 Smith and Wesson Magnum pistol to the event.
"I don't like what the Democrats are doing to our country," said Kizer. "I'm a Korean vet and I grew up in Alaska during World War II. I've fought Communists all my life, and now our government is being taken over by them. That's why I'm here."
Ron Browne of Alamogordo, who attended the event, said the two groups have a right under the Constitution to freely assemble. But he said the presence of guns looked like the start of homegrown terrorism.
"You have the guns. Eventually, you'll have the hate, then someone will actually take it one step further and try to hurt the president," Browne said. "Hate has to start somewhere and grow. This is it, right here. You're looking at it."
Kizer, the Korean War veteran, said he only wanted to have his voice heard.
"I'm not trying to start a war," he said. "I just want to make a point."
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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpokeat 05:04 on January 3rd, 2010
Bringing guns to demonstrations seems like a dangerous precedent.
at 12:52 on January 3rd, 2010
Since one does not have to have good judgment to own a gun, they can do whatever they want.
at 05:20 on January 3rd, 2010
ACP: I would normally agree. However from what I understand, this particular protest emphasized second amendment rights and was co-sponsored by a second amendment rights organization. The protesters brought their stage props. lol!
at 06:03 on January 3rd, 2010
were the stage props loaded
at 06:14 on January 3rd, 2010
It is not the hate which precedes gun,it is otherway round.We have read about armed revolutions,but armed protestors some thing unheard of in the past.Korean Vet who fought all his life against communists,as he claimed,I am agahst by his inference:they(communists) have taken over our government.
at 06:47 on January 3rd, 2010
t k kidwai: Thanks for your comment!
Keep in mind however that most Korean War vets were in their late teens and early twenties in the 1950s. I've known many throughout the years. Many Americans throughout the 50s and early 60s had the "Communist Threat" on their minds. This man's views are not uncommon by any means. It's just that we don't often hear them expressed nowadays over the MSM.
Indeed, I and other American school children would engage in air raid drills, at the direction of school administrators, every week. The 50s was the McCarthy Era and was a time when organizations such as The John Birch Society emerged to fight the "Communist menace".
at 09:11 on January 3rd, 2010
Rory,thanks for your comments on my post.No doubt,in fifties and sixties anti-communist propaganda,based on less-than-half truths,was at its peak.What is intriguing is that mindset which is paranoid till date in spite of the fact that communist states have been laid to rest.
at 06:24 on January 3rd, 2010
marianmo: As one of the protesters said, "What good is a gun if it's not loaded?" lol!
The people at the rally, due to the absence of PC, were safer than the soldiers at Ft. Hood were. No doubt about it!
One thing about Americans that openly carry guns or have concealed weapon permits (CWPs). They are by far America's most law abiding citizens and the least likely to shoot anyone in anything other than a legitimate self-defense situation.
at 07:12 on January 3rd, 2010
i think guns breed violence...........i hate them......
at 07:35 on January 3rd, 2010
I disagree, marianmo. Guns don't breed violence, people breed violence. And, as Rory points out:
"One thing about Americans that openly carry guns or have concealed weapon permits (CWPs). They are by far America's most law abiding citizens and the least likely to shoot anyone in anything other than a legitimate self-defense situation."
at 07:36 on January 3rd, 2010
Also at NowPublic :
An Allusion to Watering the Tree Of Liberty
at 07:36 on January 3rd, 2010
In other words, "Guns are not dangerous, some people are dangerous."
at 09:15 on January 3rd, 2010
Rhonda: That's the way that I see it. Freedom loving Americans have a lot less to worry about from law abiding citizens with guns than they do from many of their politicians and those that are in government positions.
What benefit does an American citizen derive from participating in an armed insurrection against the government? Most Americans just want to go on about their daily lives, raise their families, have a little fun now and then, and live to a ripe old age so that they can spend time with their grandchildren.
What many Americans are sick of is people ramming ideology down their throats and calling them names when they don't march in lockstep.
at 21:54 on January 3rd, 2010
Rory, if some of the so called " .... freedom loving Americans" to which you refer, who have been showing up at any of the How to Take Back America conferences, are able to pursuade others to join them, with conferences being held across the U.S., like the one in September 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri, with presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and several Republican members of Congress, including Michele Bachmann (MN), Trent Franks (AZ), Steve King (IA), and Tom McClintock (CA) in attendance, there will be much to worry about.
An excerpt from Far Right Leaders Vow to 'Take Back America' from 'Evil' Obama and Democrats:
Several people suggested that armed resistance to tyrannical government may be needed. A speaker who drew parallels between America today and her experiences growing up under Nazis and Communists urged activists to buy more guns and ammunition; someone suggested that “the Second Amendment” would be the answer to threats by state governments to impose forced vaccination and quarantines during a flu pandemic.
at 16:14 on January 4th, 2010
Karen: The far right has been talking about armed insurrection and taking back America for decades!
Have they attempted it yet? No! Of course not! I wouldn't worry about it--they're just blowing off steam.
The neocon's biggest fears are realized when guys like McVeigh start shooting people and blowing stuff up. It's terrible PR. Just look at how the Republican party reacted when David Duke was running for the U.S. Senate.
IMHO, I think that Americans have a lot more to worry about vis a vis Islamic terrorists and jihadists than they do from law-abiding senior citizens that pack guns at Tea Party rallies.
at 17:11 on January 4th, 2010
I hope the far Right is just blowing off steam, Rory.
But, I don't recall any demonstrations from Right Wing elements where they showed up at rallies armed, when they became frustrated with the Bush administration's policies, expressing particular displeasure with lack of discipline of the administrations 'spending' during the administration. Not all of those armed citizens showing up have been senior citizens.
Hell, except for police, I didn't see any weapons at any demonstrations staged/sponsored by any groups during the Bush administration.
Seems exhibiting this behavior, beginning by bringing guns to health care reform meetings the summer of 2009 and any events where the extreme Right Wing feels the need to show their displeasure or 'remind' someone they have the right to be armed, marks the turning of a page and a need for there to be concern.
at 17:35 on January 4th, 2010
Karen: It depends upon what state the armed protesters are from. In other words, here in Florida and most other states, it's illegal for a private citizen to carry a weapon unless the weapon is concealed. I have no doubt that many of those that attended Tea Party rallies throughout the country were armed. But had they openly displayed their weapons, they would have been arrested.
at 18:06 on January 4th, 2010
And, in a way, Rory, you've partially made my point.
No one would know when and if any protesters were armed in states where citizens can only carry concealed weapons.
Those protestors showing up in states where it is legal to carry an unconcealed sidearm do so to make a point that isn't lost on most, which is partly, since the rumors of door to door confiscation of weapons began with the election of President Obama, 'I've got my gun; what I'm doing is legal and you'd better not challenge my right!', period, actions that can be interpreted as provocative.
at 16:43 on January 5th, 2010
Karen:
'I've got my gun; what I'm doing is legal and you'd better not challenge my right!',
Yes! That is one of the strategies that the right incorporates when it comes to gun rights.
And let's face facts: In light of all the statements from liberal politicians throughout the years regarding private gun ownership, it's obvious that they would like nothing better than for all private citizens to be disarmed and for only the police and military to have guns.
The proponents of gun control don't come right out and say what their ultimate goal is however, because it would hurt their cause in the short term and simply wouldn't make for good PR. It would also bolster the credibility of the gun rights lobby and cause more Americans to be suspicious of their government's motives.
At this point in time, given the current political climate, it's a no-win situation for any politician to even hint at further gun-control legislation.
at 19:05 on January 5th, 2010
Rory, the hysteria promoted by the Right that someone is coming to gun owners' homes to take their weapons makes them irresponsible and I disagree that it's a no win situation for politicians to seek " .... further gun control legislation ...." .
All the extreme Right gun lobby needs to do is keep wildly promoting bringing guns to events. It's only a matter of time before one of the unhinged among them does something stupid and deadly, providing the galvanizing campaign for more gun control.
at 19:44 on January 5th, 2010
Karen:
"It's only a matter of time before one of the unhinged among them does something stupid and deadly, providing the galvanizing campaign for more gun control."
Here's the problem with your assertion Karen: The facts are that Americans who legally own guns are among America's most law-abiding citizens. If they weren't law-abiding, then they wouldn't be able to "legally" own guns. The gun owners presented in the videos which accompanied this story are in their 50s and above. It's pretty hard for someone that's "unhinged" to own a gun legally.
Again: IMHO I think that you've got a lot more to worry about as a result of actions on the part of Muslim jihadists (who have demonstrated beyond all doubt their violent tendencies) and American politicians than you do from those that attend Tea Parties.
at 19:50 on January 5th, 2010
As you say, Rory, that is your opinion.
at 19:57 on January 5th, 2010
Karen: Yeah! But it's my honest opinion! lol!
at 08:46 on January 6th, 2010
Rory, as far as 'unhinged' gun owners, there's no mental stability test given when a gun is purchased so, who knows whether they're stable or not?
As a matter of fact, gun proponents have been fighting any attempt to make mental assessments for potential gun owners a requirement, which makes me ask why wouldn't anyone want a guarantee the mentally unstable are not walking around armed, ESPECIALLY carrying concealed weapons.
at 08:00 on January 3rd, 2010
What do people have against TEA?
It steeps in it's own juices, taste is acidic, unless you mask it's true flavour by adding liberal amounts of sugar to entice the drinker and it comes in a bag, much like a liberal.
at 08:47 on January 3rd, 2010
Barry: lol!
In regard to Tea Party groups, the interesting thing (or scary thing) is that many Americans, let alone those in other countries, don't realize that those who partake of Tea Parties have more in common with the views of the average American than do liberals and progressives.
The average American is typically more conservative than the MSM would have us believe. Also another thing to note is that Tea Party groups typically consist of Americans that are either retired or are approaching their retirement years. This demographic group frequents the polls more often than other segments of society.
A smart politician is well aware of this fact. And indeed it is one of the reasons why some smart left-of-center politicians and political organizations have engaged in an effort to dismiss this group of Americans as simply right-wing nuts and gun-toting/Republican hate mongers.
at 13:24 on January 3rd, 2010
Try this on for size. You won't see it broadcast here in the good old USA. The PC police have not allowed it:
Internet Archive: Free Download: The Power of Nightmares
at 13:55 on January 3rd, 2010
He's back! And he's drawing parallels between radical Islam and conservative Americans. lol!
Internet Archive: Free Download: The Power of Nightmares
Thanks for the link nanute! I think the video is comparing apples to oranges however and I don't get the connection to the above Tea Party story. If you haven't already, why don't you post a story relevant to your link. I'm sure that it would be an interesting story.
at 07:53 on January 4th, 2010
I'm not drawing any parallels; you are, as usual. I merely provided a link to a 3 part BBC documentary that makes reference to the parallels. You can dismiss them as just another leftist, ideological fairy tale. I would expect no less. You can't see the connection to the Tea Party story? No surprise there either. Make no mistake, Islamic fanatics are to be disdained and marginalized, as should right wing fanatics.
at 15:52 on January 4th, 2010
nanute:
"Make no mistake, Islamic fanatics are to be disdained and marginalized, as should right wing fanatics."
What is your definition of right wing fanatics? Could you provide some examples? And after you've provided examples, could you draw some of your own comparisons between right wing fanatics and Islamic fanatics?
I'm just trying to get an understanding and grasp of what constitutes a right wing fanatic in your mind . . . .