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OPINION

Guy Waiting for Obama Had a Gun? Yep, and It's Legal

By John Johnson| Posted Aug 11, 09 6:48 PM CDT|

(Newser) – Byron Crawford had to do a double-take today when he saw a report on MSNBC about a guy with a gun strapped to his leg among the crowd to see Obama in New Hampshire. Seems it was OK because the guy was on private property at a church next door. "What they ought to do is take his punk ass to Gitmo," he blogs on XXL. "If we can throw mad Arabs in Gitmo for hardly even doing anything, we need to start throwing some white people in there, too."

Crawford's especially ticked because this comes just a few weeks after Florida rapper Antavio Johnson got two years in jail for a song about killing cops. "How come we live in a country where a white man can show up to a town hall meeting with the president with a gun, but a black man can’t even make a song about how he wants to kill the police?" Maybe Johnson should emphasize he's a Christian rapper. "People have been known to get away with some crazy shit in this country, as long as there’s a church involved."

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

William Kostric wears a 9mm pistol as he stands outside a town hall meeting on health care held by President Barack Obama, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Joel Page)

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The report about the armed man on MSNBC. (YouTube)

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If the last eight years has taught us anything, it’s that the laws they teach you about don’t really count. If the government needs to throw you in jail, and there’s no way for them to do so legally, you might just disappear. - Byron Crawford

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41 comments

VIEWING:

rajanKazhmin
Aug 11, 09 6:54 PM CDT

The real story here is Antavio Johnson getting two years in jail for writing a song. WTF? Reply

+14

IN RESPONSE:

aces08
Aug 11, 09 7:00 PM CDT

I agree, wtf.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Aug 11, 09 7:13 PM CDT

Well if indeed he was given two years for writting a song he will win it on appeal as that matter has already been addressed many years ago by the Supreme Court and the verdict will not hold up even in Jeb Bush's back yard.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Aug 11, 09 7:15 PM CDT

OK, this may be the "hook" they used to convict, he mentioned a certain officer by name which would be a direct threat: Here is the article: http://www.byroncrawford.com/2009/08/free-antavio-johnson.html

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Aug 12, 09 12:12 AM CDT

Antavio Johnson was already in jail on a violation of probation, a gang unti officer heard it out in town, investigated and they decided to add two additional years to his sentenace. The song was actually released years ago on his MySpace page, so yeah I agree, WTFO.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

cochiserocks
Aug 11, 09 7:00 PM CDT

"How come we live in a country where a white man can show up to a town hall meeting with the president with a gun, but a black man can’t even make a song about how he wants to kill the police?" Interesting question - So to extend this line of thought using the right to bear arms and freedom of speech, the two issues involved here - Someone who goes to the extreme of stockpiling automatic weapons (though never once firing them or threatening anyone with them), should be treated the same as someone inciting racial or religious hatred in a public forum aimed specifically at the young and impressionable (though never once actually attacking anyone themselves). A complex debate to be had here. Oh, and interesting how one line of thought has led to the other in the case of the White Supremacists holed up in Montana. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Deebles
Aug 11, 09 11:05 PM CDT

Man coch. You are just brilliant in cutting through the bullshit Such a pertinent question which is so easily answered: racism is alive and well. And anyone who thinks that it isn't is like my friends in Colorado who all voiced dismay at my returning to SC. They wondered how I could tolerate the racism. I just asked what a town of 365,000 people with four Ethiopians on the marathon team knew about racism.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

MrsK
Aug 11, 09 11:17 PM CDT

snore

| 0 minutes ago

easterner
Aug 11, 09 7:18 PM CDT

Guy Waiting for Obama Has a Gun? Yep, and It's Legal and so is having a sniper focused on him in his cross hairs......reach for that pee shooter and bang all over. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 11, 09 7:23 PM CDT

Actually it is not legal to have a sinper focused on him. Among other things that is profiling.

-7

IN RESPONSE:

Cat-Lover
Aug 11, 09 7:39 PM CDT

NewserScooter: I understand where you're coming from on you comment about "profiling." My concern, however, is that totting 'dat gun could have been a cover for another intended shooter hiding a concealed weapon. Most eyes were focused on this "patriot," and one of his "fellow-travelers'" could be lurching in the background.

IN RESPONSE:

logothete
Aug 11, 09 7:48 PM CDT

The gun was scary - but put it together with his sign about being "time to water the tree of liberty" it really gets bad. That's part of a quote from Jefferson - at the time of the Revolution - suggesting that from time to time it's necessary to water the tree of liberty with "the blood of patriots and tyrants." THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is a frighteningly dangerous nutcase. And the fact that he had the church's permission to stand on their property with his gun and his sign makes me wonder just what sort of Christians they are.

| 0 minutes ago

Sonny_Crockett
Aug 11, 09 7:21 PM CDT

Chris Matthews berated him for a reason. Though I do not own any firearms, I believe in the right to bare arms for the same reason gays should have a right to be married. Individuals should have a right to express themselves as long as it's not hurtful to others. But, Chris made a good point and said something to the effect of, people associate guns with violence, and there was no reason for this man to have a gun at THIS rally. This rally was about "Health Care". I love the way people invoke the founding fathers to justify acting in a way they think the founding fathers want them to act. George Washington and Ben Fraklin don't live down the street from us... Latinos, African Americans, Oriental, and yes even muslim people do... Seeing that you can't do anything about, why don't you make friends with them and get used to it ?.. Because change is hard.. That's why. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Aug 11, 09 7:30 PM CDT

The guy is obviously trying to stir up trouble. I think NewserScooter hit the nail on the head though. Let him have is precious gun. If he reaches for it, hello sniper, goodbye face.

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Aug 11, 09 7:31 PM CDT

ooooops I meant easterner hit the nail on the head. Damn eyeballs.

IN RESPONSE:

Cat-Lover
Aug 11, 09 7:49 PM CDT

Adding to your post, above. When I hear the it said that the "Founding Fathers" had a plan for the United States, and we are diverting from it. Of course we're diverting from it. The "Founding Fathers" never envisioned a country over three thousand miles wide, with over three hundred million people of every race and ethnicity, with cars, and planes and freeways. They gave us a tradition and it is our responsibility to live it out in the time.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Aug 11, 09 8:00 PM CDT

You make many valid points and upon checking further about the guy who wrote the "Rap Song" of killing police ot I am unsure if you can even call the guy a professional rap singer, he wrote what he described as lyrics and posted them on the page of a Social Networking site, the song mentioned one particular police officer by name he want to kill and that is where the law was broken there. As for someone taking a gun to an event where Obama was speaking, this clown was trying to show off and he needs a reality check badly. I am a gun owner and have a concealed weapon permit and still would NEVER attend such a function armed, to me that is insane

IN RESPONSE:

AnnieChrist
Aug 11, 09 9:46 PM CDT

"I love the way people invoke the founding fathers to justify acting in a way they think the founding fathers want them to act." These are the same people who quote the bible to justify their murders, wars and gay bashing, blithely ignoring any scriptures that condemn their actions.

IN RESPONSE:

Deebles
Aug 11, 09 11:21 PM CDT

Love that Sonny. They don't live down the street from us and Jefferson never said that to matter in 2009. I have guns, I will admit that up front, but I've never carried one, worn one or had one in my car. A gun is like a dildo best reserved for your own private use. Carry it around in pubic and you look like a bit of a douche. That in the thirty years that I've been a shooter of targets and bottles and no one ever brought them around nice company until now is just a flat out threat. Don't you tell me any different. Gross, and I read all the NRA magazines, my dad's a member. But as he taught me--a gun is never something to be taken out of the locked cabinet, unless you are going to the range,

IN RESPONSE:

radnip
Sep 29, 09 6:25 AM CDT

Change is hard but fear is easy.

| 0 minutes ago

Derni
Aug 11, 09 7:21 PM CDT

good popints-certainly shows how laws cause problems Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Cat-Lover
Aug 11, 09 7:33 PM CDT

I don't give a damn how the Second Amendment was interpreted by the Supreme Court. There wasn't a snowball's chance in Hell a militia would be called out and this guy's pistol would been needed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire today, or any other day, except to protect us from him. He can have a weapon, in his home, locked away from human use, but not on the street. When the militia's called, then he can take it outside. It is at that time the militia will issue an appropriate number of rounds for the immediate purpose at hand, as the only means of distributing ammunition to weapons' owners in all 50 states. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Radzyn
Aug 11, 09 7:50 PM CDT

Good thing for those of us who are gun owners that your opinion doesn't matter, and the Supreme Court's does. (well, good thing for right now, until they review the damn thing again).

-1

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Aug 11, 09 8:02 PM CDT

What possible reason could this individual have for exercising his "sacred" right in this way at this event? If shows huge disrespect for the President and hs family, and each and evrey ctitizen of America. This is our duly elected leader and we have the right not to lose him to an assassination plot. This makes the lives of the Secret Service protection force much more difficult I would think. Shame in him, and shame on the so-called church where he stood.

IN RESPONSE:

Radzyn
Aug 11, 09 8:11 PM CDT

*in this case, not in general CL :p

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Radzyn
Aug 11, 09 8:19 PM CDT

Shame or no shame, its his right. He obviously didn't threaten anybody with it or he'd a been dead already. On another note, how many people showed up at Bush events with sidearm? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Deebles
Aug 11, 09 11:26 PM CDT

When did Bush have an event?

IN RESPONSE:

BeatBlaster
Aug 12, 09 11:51 AM CDT

When did Bush have an event where anyone could show up?

| 0 minutes ago

AnnieChrist
Aug 11, 09 8:37 PM CDT

My first thought when I heard about this was probably what most people thought, Oh my god! After a moments reflection, my second thought was, this giy must be compensating for a two inch dick. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Aug 11, 09 8:48 PM CDT

I'm sure he's a very tender and giving lover. Of farm animals. High five! Wicked burn! Thanks bro. I'm outta here.

IN RESPONSE:

LiberalJesus
Aug 11, 09 9:25 PM CDT

All gun carriers who need to show it are that way. I have no problems with this asshat clown owning a gun or wearing it...but what was the point of taking it to a town hall meeting? Was it to kill someone who disagreed with him? Was it to take a shot at the President if he had a chance? What was the point? And forget about that stupid mantra of "2nd Amendment rights"...this is about common sense. He took the gun because he is a coward and the only way he knew to get attention, since he obviously lacked the intellect to state a health care opinion was to carry a gun..."oh look at me! I gotta gun!" Who exactly was he going to "defend" himself against? Someone who favors health care? What a poster child for stupidity run amok with the NRA. Back when I was a child, before they became political, the NRA was ok, now they are just nuts and bolts in a baggie of sand!

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Aug 12, 09 4:50 AM CDT

0.999

IN RESPONSE:

Reader65069154
Aug 12, 09 7:39 AM CDT

Screw the constitution and state laws passed by a democratically elected government which make him legally able to do this. If you call him enough names you're bound to look smarter.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

wwwonderer
Aug 12, 09 11:15 AM CDT

Lawyer fees!!!! It's more about economics than race/ethnicity/DNA. OJ Simpson hired a lawyer. Michael Vick hired a lawyer.

| 0 minutes ago

Jojo
Aug 11, 09 10:19 PM CDT

There is no quicker way to have your argument dismissed than by saying "how come this white man did this, but this black man did THIS...." If you want equality, start acting like it. How about asking why it's ok for one MAN to have a gun and not ok for another MAN to write a song? This problem will not change until you learn how to address it properly. You want equality but you still want to make everything a black and white issue. Make is a MAN issue. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Deebles
Aug 12, 09 12:26 AM CDT

Well good, good, Jojo. It really all just boils down to that doesn't it? Black man have a HUGE problem about not remembering that they got the right to vote before any woman. And every man in this country needs to remember that women were pretty quiet about it until the twentieth century. Jeepers, you want less divorce, less gun toting? How about a little respect for the fact that an Amendment to the Constitution to make WOMEN equal couldn't get passed in the 70's. We just be your bitch. And you think Gates had a problem? Be a young woman on a dark road with a cop. This country went ape shit over Rodney King, but I bet not one of you can name the 18 year old girl pulled over in San Diego by a state trooper and raped and killed. I think that women have been pretty damn decent, indeed.

| 0 minutes ago

Skyorbit
Aug 12, 09 12:30 AM CDT

The fact the all the mainstream media are all up in arms about it, kind-of proves that he should be worried that he's loosing his freedoms right? Everybody in New HAmpshire carries guns. It's the biggest gun culture on the east coast. It's not a big deal. He probably always carries his gun. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Aug 12, 09 12:37 AM CDT

Nothing wrong with exercising second amendment rights. If Obummer has his way that will all be over soon enough. As for the rapper? He threatened a specific cop instead of recording a generic "cop killer song." It's one thing to wish that congress would all drop dead, its quite another to turn an angry sentiment into a tangible threat. Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

Doctor_Zaius
Aug 12, 09 7:41 AM CDT

Trust me, the guy with the holstered gun was never out of the sights of at least 3 snipers. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Rembrandt_Q_Einstein
Aug 12, 09 3:36 PM CDT

He should have had a sign a sign that read: "I have a tiny penis. That's why I walk around w/ a gun everywhere". Reply

| 0 minutes ago

sadtimes
Aug 15, 09 11:00 PM CDT

I agree with skyorbit, everyone walks around strapped in NH - its really not a big deal. Would I ever walk around with my gun on me? I don't think so! Would I bring it to an event that he president is attending? I don't think so! Besides, if this guy wanted to take a shot at Obama, I doubt he would have had the thing strapped to his leg and blatantly exposed to the dozens of snipers surrounding the area... Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

View all 41 comments »

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