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Arizona Senator Aims Loaded Pink Gun at Reporter

Lori Klein later claims he stepped in front of laser sight

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2011 9:42 AM CDT

(Newser) – Arizona state Sen. Lori Klein has been taking some heat after pointing a loaded gun at a reporter with the safety off. The incident was related in a Sunday Arizona Republic article about Klein’s decision to carry a gun onto the Senate floor in the aftermath of the Gabrielle Giffords shooting. “Oh, it’s so cute,” she told the reporter, as she pulled her pink Ruger from her purse and trained its laser sight on his chest.

She said the gun had no safety, but he needn’t worry because “I just didn’t have my hand on the trigger.” When blogs and other news outlets like the Arizona Guardian seized on the incident, Klein told another paper and a conservative blog that reporter Richard Ruelas had gotten in front of the gun. But Ruelas says that’s not true, and in his recordings of the interview, Klein is heard saying that she pointed the gun at him. The interview remained amiable, however.

Lori Klein is seen in this screenshot from an unrelated YouTube video.
Lori Klein is seen in this screenshot from an unrelated YouTube video.   (YouTube)
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Whoever would do something like that needs to have a better grounding in gun safety before ever laying a hand
on a firearm. - Rob Mermelstein, range master of the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 66 comments
Rational.-Anarchist
Jul 14, 2011 7:00 AM CDT
1. What an idiot! 2. A PINK pistol? What the hell? 3. I've NEVER seen a pistol with a trigger large enough to put my whole hand on it 4. Gun safety rule #1. NEVER,EVER point a gun at anything you don't intend to shoot, along with#2. ALWAYS assume a gun is loaded,and treat it as such. 5.See #1. 
Hanniliz
Jul 14, 2011 1:51 AM CDT
Arizona Republican Sen. Lori Klein reportedly pointed a filled pistol at the chest of Arizona Republic reporter Richard Ruelas, reports the Arizona Guardian. A laser sight was allegedly centered on Ruelas' chest, and the safety was off, as reported by states. Here is the proof: Arizona Sen. Lori Klein points loaded .380 Ruger at reporter
TexasYankee
Jul 13, 2011 8:14 AM CDT
Props to Newser - they have this story first. Neither CNN nor FOX has posted anything on this yet. Funny how Newser is becoming the news site I use more than either of those.

 
Arizona • gun control • guns • gun safety • Lori Klein

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