Do Guns at Political Events Disturb You? Then Consider Skipping
Arizona for Now
Posted by Arthur Frommer at 8/19/2009 10:10 AM EDT
I am not yet certain whether I would advocate a travel boycott by others of
the state of Arizona; I want to learn more about Arizona's gun laws and how
they compare with those of other states. But I am shocked beyond measure by
reports that earlier this week, nearly a dozen persons, including one with an
assault rifle strapped about his shoulders and others with pistols in their
hands or holsters, were openly congregating outside a hall at which President
Obama was speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
For myself, without yet suggesting that others follow me in an open boycott, I
will not personally travel in a state where civilians carry loaded weapons
onto the sidewalks and as a means of political protest. I not only believe
such practices are a threat to the future of our democracy, but I am firmly
convinced that they would also endanger my own personal safety there. And
therefore I will cancel any plans to vacation or otherwise visit in Arizona
until I learn more. And I will begin thinking about whether tourists should
safeguard themselves by avoiding stays in Arizona.
According to the Phoenix, Arizona, police, people with guns including assault
rifles do not need permits in Arizona, but can simply carry such weapons with
them, openly and brazenly, when they gather to protest a speaker at a public
event. The police also acknowledge that about a dozen people carrying guns,
including one with an AR-15 assault rifle, milled about outside the event at
which President Obama spoke.
I would feel as I do regardless of the political identity of the speaker whom
these thugs attempted to intimidate. The continued tolerance of extremists
carrying guns is a frightening development which strikes at the heart of the
political process and endangers the ability to carry out a reasoned debate. Is
there any responsible citizen of the United States who believes that people
should carry guns to a public debate or speech? If Ronald Reagan were
delivering a political talk in Phoenix, Arizona, would they have felt it was
proper for protestors with guns to mill about outside the hall from which he
would leave?
I'd appreciate hearing your comments. The question is, should we all organize
a travel boycott of Arizona until this tolerance of armed intimidation is
ended, probably by an act of the Arizona legislature?
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Do Guns at Political Events Disturb You? Then Consider Skipping Arizona for Now on Arthur Frommer Online