Let’s Call ‘Open Carry’ Gun Gangs What They Are: Extremists and Terrorists
On Monday, the Houston chapter of Open Carry Texas had originally planned an armed march into the Fifth Ward, a predominantly African-American community. The group canceled the event because, they say, one of the members was committed to a previously scheduled even elsewhere.
Canceling the march was probably fortuitous because what could possibly have gone wrong? A gaggle of white, paleoconservative rednecks with military-style rifles strapped to their chests marching through an African-American neighborhood is never a recipe for harrowing consequences.
But seriously, while they’re not in line with the traditional definition of “terrorists,” the various open carry gangs popping up in shopping center parking lots, Target stores and all points in between need to face more intensive scrutiny for deliberately inciting fear among bystanders.
Imagine in the days and weeks following the Boston Marathon bombing, a group of self-proclaimed “constitutionalists” decided to exercise their right to assemble at a high school track and field event with backpacks filled pressure cookers. There’s nothing inherently illegal about it, is there? Or imagine if following 9/11 a group if Islamic citizens walked into a random public place carrying box cutters and shouting, “Allahu akbar!” It’s extraordinarily difficult to see the difference between these examples and, in the wake of ongoing mass shootings and other less heinous though still terrifying shootings in schools, shopping malls and movie theaters, groups of shall we say odd-looking white guys marching into department stores and Starbucks restaurants armed to the teeth with AR-15s, the Sandy Hook weapon. Really, is there any difference at all? It’s doubtful the pressure-cooker or box-cutter “protesters” would be allowed to get away with such activities. So, why are the open carry gangs getting a free pass?
The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees “the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” Naturally then, there’s nothing wrong with peaceably assembling and protesting, but much like anti-abortion protesters turning out with giant placards featuring images of aborted fetuses gathered near a grade school playground, or Code Pink protesters accosting public officials with blood-red hands and, inexplicably, giant puppets, there are some forms of protest that go too far.
That said Code Pink and the anti-abortion groups aren’t (necessarily) armed. Carrying loaded — or even unloaded — military-style weapons that are intentionally designed to look like props from a Michael Bay movie goes lightyears beyond peaceably protesting and merges into being ominous, sneering threats and intimidation. There’s absolutely nothing “peaceable” about assembling while armed with weapons of death… CONTINUE READING
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By: Bob Cesca
Bob Cesca is the managing editor at The Daily Banter (www.thedailybanter.com) and a Huffington Post contributor since 2005. He's worked in journalism since 1988 as a print writer/editor, a radio news anchor, a digital media columnist/editor, a book author and blogger. He's the co-host of the Bubble Genius Bob & Chez Show podcast and a Thursday regular on the syndicated Stephanie Miller Show. He's appeared on numerous other radio shows including the John Phillips Show and Geraldo Rivera Show in Los Angeles. Bob has been a commentator/analyst on the BBC (TV and radio), MSNBC, Current TV, CNN and Sky News. Following him on Twitter: @bobcesca_go
18 responses to Let’s Call ‘Open Carry’ Gun Gangs What They Are: Extremists and Terrorists
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Anomaly 100 June 24th, 2014 at 08:17
I call them different names but I choose not to say them here.
Anomaly 100 June 24th, 2014 at 08:17
I call them different names but I choose not to say them here.
mea_mark June 24th, 2014 at 08:28
They aren’t really terrorist. More like, narcissistic overgrown children that want to parade around like cheap whores showing off their gaudy jewelry, their boom boom bling. They suffer from a lack of attention and in a desensitized world this is their means of crying out for attention. We should take pity on these poor souls. They need attention, counseling, they need to feel safe in a world of uncertainty. They are in extreme need of help. Let’s get them that help before some really bad tragic accident occurs.
Roctuna June 24th, 2014 at 11:03
I refer you to the FBI for the definition. They most certainly fit.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition
mea_mark June 24th, 2014 at 11:17
I was being more facetious than anything else, just trying to look at it in a different way. Maybe just hoping that shaming them, might be effective in getting them to realize what they look like to those that don’t espouse their beliefs about guns in public.
MaryAnn June 24th, 2014 at 21:34
They cant be shamed :(
fahvel June 24th, 2014 at 13:43
very caring and generous of you MM
mea_mark June 24th, 2014 at 08:28
They aren’t really terrorist. More like, narcissistic overgrown children that want to parade around like cheap whores showing off their gaudy jewelry, their boom boom bling. They suffer from a lack of attention and in a desensitized world this is their means of crying out for attention. We should take pity on these poor souls. They need attention, counseling, they need to feel safe in a world of uncertainty. They are in extreme need of help. Let’s get them that help before some really bad tragic accident occurs.
Roctuna June 24th, 2014 at 11:03
I refer you to the FBI for the definition. They most certainly fit.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition
mea_mark June 24th, 2014 at 11:17
I was being more facetious than anything else, just trying to look at it in a different way. Maybe just hoping that shaming them, might be effective in getting them to realize what they look like to those that don’t espouse their beliefs about guns in public.
MaryAnn June 24th, 2014 at 21:34
They cant be shamed :(
fahvel June 24th, 2014 at 13:43
very caring and generous of you MM
Shades June 24th, 2014 at 09:07
Maybe someone pointed out that Texas is a stand your ground state. It could be argued that someone opened fire on them thinking they were a lynch mob.
Shades June 24th, 2014 at 09:07
Maybe someone pointed out that Texas is a stand your ground state. It could be argued that someone opened fire on them thinking they were a lynch mob.
William June 24th, 2014 at 10:50
Now ya’ll be sure to git yer dang selves down to yer local gun shop for the 6th annual “Obamas comin fer yer gunz sale…ya’ hear?”
Roctuna June 24th, 2014 at 11:04
Not to mention the old favorite open-carry paradise, Somalia
William June 24th, 2014 at 10:50
Now ya’ll be sure to git yer dang selves down to yer local gun shop for the 6th annual “Obamas comin fer yer gunz sale…ya’ hear?”
Roctuna June 24th, 2014 at 11:04
Not to mention the old favorite open-carry paradise, Somalia