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This is from CBS News and The Associated Press.
Armed Men Gather At Obama's Town Hall
About a dozen people packing heat, including one man with a semi-automatic rifle, milled with protesters outside Phoenix's convention center, where Obama was speaking Monday. At Obama's town hall in New Hampshire last week, a man stood outside with a pistol strapped to his leg.
Gun-rights advocates say they're exercising their constitutional right and police say they are not violating any laws.
But Northern Arizona University political scientist Fred Solop says guns at political rallies create "a chilling effect" and inhibit "honest communication."
Bart McEntire, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told SPLC researchers that this is the most growth he's seen in more than a decade.
"All it's lacking is a spark," McEntire said in the report.
It's reminiscent of what was seen in the 1990s — right-wing militias, people ideologically against paying taxes and so-called "sovereign citizens" are popping up in large numbers, according to the report. The SPLC is a nonprofit civil rights group that, among other activities, investigates hate groups.
William Kostric was holding a sign while atObama's New Hampshire town hall that read "It Is Time To Water The Tree Of Liberty," invoking a phrase from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Kostric was wearing a loaded handgun on his leg.
Kostric was questioned by MSNBC's Chris Matthews over his choice to carry "a goddamned gun at a presidential event."
This is from CBS News and The Associated Press.
Armed Men Gather At Obama's Town Hall
About a dozen people packing heat, including one man with a semi-automatic rifle, milled with protesters outside Phoenix's convention center, where Obama was speaking Monday. At Obama's town hall in New Hampshire last week, a man stood outside with a pistol strapped to his leg.
Gun-rights advocates say they're exercising their constitutional right and police say they are not violating any laws.
But Northern Arizona University political scientist Fred Solop says guns at political rallies create "a chilling effect" and inhibit "honest communication."
Bart McEntire, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told SPLC researchers that this is the most growth he's seen in more than a decade.
"All it's lacking is a spark," McEntire said in the report.
It's reminiscent of what was seen in the 1990s — right-wing militias, people ideologically against paying taxes and so-called "sovereign citizens" are popping up in large numbers, according to the report. The SPLC is a nonprofit civil rights group that, among other activities, investigates hate groups.
William Kostric was holding a sign while atObama's New Hampshire town hall that read "It Is Time To Water The Tree Of Liberty," invoking a phrase from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Kostric was wearing a loaded handgun on his leg.
Kostric was questioned by MSNBC's Chris Matthews over his choice to carry "a goddamned gun at a presidential event."