Guns Versus Guns in Arizona

In Arizona it is legal for people to walk around carrying guns and assault rifles. As a firm believer in law and order, justice and common sense, I have a big problem with people carrying loaded guns in public places with lots of people around. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the right to bear arms, I also believe in justice and common sense. What purpose does it serve? Having a gun in your home for protection is logical. But at a rally or protest, in a church, in the grocery store, excuse me, but what is the purpose?

On Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 18 year old college bound Max Homeke who had been awarded a four year ROTC Scholarship, was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct by Scottsdale, AZ police. Mr. Homeke was dressed in fatigues and carrying a bag and an Air Soft Pellet Rifle; he was preparing his mind and body for the type of training and conditioning he would experience over the next eight years. Others hiking on the trail became concerned when they spotted Max Homeke, called 911 reporting a suspicious man wearing fatigues and carrying a rifle. http://www.kpho.com/news/20359453/detail.html
Scottsdale, Arizona police department dispatched over seven patrolmen and a police
helicopter to the area. Max Homeke was searched; his weapon which was determined to be a air pellet rifle so the school lock down was canceled, but he was arrested and charged.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/stories/Scottsdale-news-081109-military-teen-hiking-
arrest.cfefaf2a.html (this link has video selections)

Contrast the above with the real gun toting folks at the rally/protest in front of the Phoenix Convention Center during President Obama’s speech to the Veterans of Foreign War Convention on Monday.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/18/obama.protest.rifle/index.html?eref=rss_politics
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/stories/Phoenix-news-081709-guns-protest-obama-
vfw.ed9b23b1.html

Rick Sanchez CNN reports on man carrying assault rifle at protest during speech by President Obama at VFW Convention at the Phoenix, Arizona Convention Center.






Follow-up with Rick Sanchez and supporter Ernest Hancock of Freedomsphoenix.com who interviewed the man carrying the assault rifle.






So you can imagine my confusion. “Where is the common Sense” in the action of the
Scottsdale Police, as opposed to the folly of the people who decided it was necessary to “Show Off”, that they are members of some elite group of idiots who carry loaded weapons in crowds without regard for the safety of people in the crowds or the idiots who don’t know how to handle a fire arm. We have been fortunate that nothing serious happened. But GET A GRIP People, if you have a need to carry a weapon, stay away from crowds of people. Otherwise, leave the weapon HOME. A Loaded Weapon is meant to be Used.