Derrick Tjernlund – 9/12/08

This page was last updated on September 14, 2008.

Incident gives gun owners a bad rap; Derrick Tjernlund; Beaver County Times; September 12, 2008.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Regarding the handgun incident at the recent Obama rally, Beaver County’s district attorney claimed that a TNT factory was the only place where one is prohibited from striking a match.

“Perhaps Anthony Berosh has never paid attention to the signs near the pumps at a gasoline station. Actually, there is a long list of places where you are not permitted to strike a match or otherwise have an open flame.

“The issue is safety.

“By the same token, there are a variety of places where a citizen cannot carry a firearm (even with a permit to carry). This includes most government buildings, schools and nuclear power plants, to name a few.

“Again, the obvious reason is that the need for heightened safety outweighs the right to carry. It is easy to argue that this need for safety extends to political rallies, especially those involving candidates for national office.”

[RWC] Mr. Noble was not at the rally and did not attempt to enter. He was peacefully distributing fliers at a park across the street from the rally.

“Could it be that John Noble’s action was intended to be a deliberate dare to the law enforcement officials charged with protecting Obama? This is the kind of action that gives gun owners everywhere a bad name. So much for common sense.”

[RWC] I don’t think what Mr. Noble did gave “gun owners everywhere a bad name.” Ultimately, I believe it will turn out more problematic for those who arrested Mr. Noble and confiscated his weapon.

“Finally, as to the person repeatedly yelling ‘Osama’ during the rally, you seem to be confused. Osama was the criminal who initiated the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, you know, the terrorist who George Bush hasn’t been able to catch for seven years, or perhaps has conveniently chosen not to.”

[RWC] “George Bush … perhaps has conveniently chosen not to” capture Osama bin Laden? Sure. For what purpose?

“Obama is the name of the gentleman running for president, and for which this gun owner will be casting his ballot.”

[RWC] I think we’re batting 1.000. So far not one Obama supporter has told us why he’s voting for Mr. Obama, other than those brave souls who tell us it for the nebulous “change and hope.”