The only protester in America who gets any respect
by digby
Check out this yahoo walking around making a spectacle of himself openly carrying a rifle and a pistol --- and the police behaving very respectfully toward him.
There are dozens of examples of police tasering people they perceive to be failing to properly obey, are aggressive, mouthing off, etc. They could have easily have done so with this fellow but didn't. It's always interesting to see who they consider to be disrespecting their authority.
Frankly, I'm glad to see it. He's following the law and as repugnant and provocative as I find what he's doing, he has the right to do it under California law and the police reacted properly. If only they did that more often.
But just imagine if he said "and they are real" in that tone of voice down in Florida. I'd think anyone in his vicinity might feel justified in shooting him down because they "feel" threatened. I know I would feel threatened. Of course, I don't plan to shoot anyone and I would just get away from him. But under the stand your ground statutes those civilians could just shoot that guy and probably get away with it.
If only the authorities were this nice to people who peacefully assert something other than their 2nd Amendment rights. Like their right to peacefully assemble, for instance. On the steps of the
US Department of Justice:
* It is true that the police tasered a gun rights protester recently for heckling. It was also unjustified, in my opinion. But for the most part, the cops are very respectful and reserved when dealing with 2nd Amendment protesters.
You can sort of understand why --- especially in places where the guns are loaded. Still, there's something very off about the fact that gun rights advocates have just a little bit more room to maneuver than anyone else does. In fact, it's downright creepy.
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