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

(NEWSER) - An anti-reform protester who showed up near President Obama's town hall event in Phoenix with a semiautomatic assault rifle did so as part of a staged radio event, reports Talking Points Memo. The man who conducted the seemingly random interview with the gun-toting "Chris" is conservative talk radio host Ernest Hancock. He appeared on CNN today and said he and Chris have known each other for two years as Ron Paul supporters. While the interview was staged, he said the sentiments expressed were sincere. More»

Man arrested before NH town hall; gun was unlicensed, loaded

(NEWSER) - A protester arrested ahead of President Obama’s town hall yesterday had an unlicensed loaded gun, police say. Richard Young, 62, was discovered inside Portsmouth High School several hours before Obama arrived. He was carrying a pocket knife; police found the gun in his car. He has been charged with trespassing and carrying an unlicensed loaded pistol, and may face federal charges, Seacoast Online reports. More»

Secessionist group included among his MySpace friends

(NEWSER) - William Kostric, the man who showed up to protest at Obama’s town hall meeting yesterday with a loaded gun strapped to his leg, told Chris Matthews that he wasn’t affiliated with birther groups. But a web user by the same name has left a digital trail that proves otherwise: "William Kostric" is listed as a “team member” of We the People, a right-wing group that joined a lawsuit challenging Obama’s citizenship, reports Joan Walsh for Salon. More»

Tells Chris Matthews it's no big deal

(NEWSER) - The man who showed up at President Obama's town hall today with a gun defended his right to do just that when grilled by Chris Matthews on his show tonight, reports the Huffington Post. When Matthews asked why he showed up with a weapon strapped to his leg, William Kostric answered, "That's not even a relevant question. The question is, why don't people bear arms these days." He also got cute when he acknowledged the gun was loaded. "Who'd be silly enough to carry an unloaded firearm?" More»

Looks like he's off the hook

(NEWSER) - After Ted Nugent's comments about President Obama got Secret Service attention, it looked like the rocker might be in trouble . But not much happened at his meeting today with two agents he called "fine" and "professional," the Washington Post reports. Though Nugent said he'd be "dead or in jail" if Obama were reelected, "the issue has been resolved," says an agent. The Secret Service "does not anticipate any further action." More»