NRA bans guns at their convention

[RecycleMichael]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/05/17/2008-05-17_with_mccain_on_hand_knives_wont_cut_it_a.html
NY Daily News

Saturday, May 17th 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A small but startling sign welcomed the gun lovers who arrived at the National Rifle Association's annual gathering Friday.

"Firearms WILL NOT be allowed in Hall A during the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum."

Beyond this sign at the Kentucky Exposition Center was a row of 10 metal detectors. They were manned by uniformed Secret Service officers deployed because the scheduled speakers included presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

The Secret Service sets the rules in such circumstances, and even NRA big shots had to go through the screening. Thousands found themselves standing in a long, slow, feeder line before they even reached one of the lines that stretched in front of each metal detector.

Many had been alerted to the no-firearms edict, so few arrived packing.

"I got a gun in the car," said Deborah Phelps of Fredonia, Ky.

The alert, however, said nothing about pocketknives, which seemingly everybody here was carrying. Hundreds of conventiongoers finally reached the detectors only to be told they could not be admitted with an implement they had never even considered to be a weapon.

Yet another long line formed at a glassed-in kiosk where a pair of Expo Center security guards agreed to watch over the knives.

"It's kind of ironic, isn't it?" Rob Stevens of Bedford, Ky., said. "We preach the right to carry everywhere, and we got to start by turning in a pocketknife."

A pair of Long Islanders who had driven 800 miles to attend the gathering turned in their tickets rather than suffer the humiliation of standing in line to surrender a tiny knife.

"It's supposed to be about freedom," said Anne-Marie Biggins of Bethpage as she stood with Brian O'Connor of Farmingdale.

A 16-year-old local boy named Zachary Hicks who arrived in uniform was turned away because he had a folding knife.

Barbara Heetderts of Dallas was about to follow her husband through the screening when an officer found she had six spent shell casings. She was barred from entry.

"Why?" she asked. "It's empty brass cases."

"They're cartridges," the officer said.

"No, they're cases," she replied. "A cartridge has powder, a primer and a bullet in it."

"I'm saying you can't take them in," the officer said.

Her empty cases joined hundreds of knives, scissors and nail clippers at the kiosk. The line now stretched across the lobby, and the woman running the German Roasted Nuts stand on the far side began taking knives and placing them in white paper bags bearing the owner's name. We're hoping they buy nuts when they pick up their knives," said Eydie Brown. "This whole thing is nuts," one of the knife owners remarked.

[bugo]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/05/17/2008-05-17_with_mccain_on_hand_knives_wont_cut_it_a.html
NY Daily News

Saturday, May 17th 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A small but startling sign welcomed the gun lovers who arrived at the National Rifle Association's annual gathering Friday.

"Firearms WILL NOT be allowed in Hall A during the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum."

Beyond this sign at the Kentucky Exposition Center was a row of 10 metal detectors. They were manned by uniformed Secret Service officers deployed because the scheduled speakers included presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

The Secret Service sets the rules in such circumstances, and even NRA big shots had to go through the screening. Thousands found themselves standing in a long, slow, feeder line before they even reached one of the lines that stretched in front of each metal detector.

Many had been alerted to the no-firearms edict, so few arrived packing.

"I got a gun in the car," said Deborah Phelps of Fredonia, Ky.

The alert, however, said nothing about pocketknives, which seemingly everybody here was carrying. Hundreds of conventiongoers finally reached the detectors only to be told they could not be admitted with an implement they had never even considered to be a weapon.

Yet another long line formed at a glassed-in kiosk where a pair of Expo Center security guards agreed to watch over the knives.

"It's kind of ironic, isn't it?" Rob Stevens of Bedford, Ky., said. "We preach the right to carry everywhere, and we got to start by turning in a pocketknife."

A pair of Long Islanders who had driven 800 miles to attend the gathering turned in their tickets rather than suffer the humiliation of standing in line to surrender a tiny knife.

"It's supposed to be about freedom," said Anne-Marie Biggins of Bethpage as she stood with Brian O'Connor of Farmingdale.

A 16-year-old local boy named Zachary Hicks who arrived in uniform was turned away because he had a folding knife.

Barbara Heetderts of Dallas was about to follow her husband through the screening when an officer found she had six spent shell casings. She was barred from entry.

"Why?" she asked. "It's empty brass cases."

"They're cartridges," the officer said.

"No, they're cases," she replied. "A cartridge has powder, a primer and a bullet in it."

"I'm saying you can't take them in," the officer said.

Her empty cases joined hundreds of knives, scissors and nail clippers at the kiosk. The line now stretched across the lobby, and the woman running the German Roasted Nuts stand on the far side began taking knives and placing them in white paper bags bearing the owner's name. We're hoping they buy nuts when they pick up their knives," said Eydie Brown. "This whole thing is nuts," one of the knife owners remarked.

That "officer" should be suspended.  What a jerk.  His response should have included the all-purpose excuse word "policy".  The way he reacted just makes him sound like a typical power-mad law enforcement officer.  Things like that is why respect for police is at an all-time low in this country, and is shrinking every day.  Sometimes I think the government wants the public to hate cops by the way they act so we will be in constant fear of them.

[Conan71]

I don't get the point in even publishing this piece unless it's the irony of no guns allowed at an NRA convention- big deal.  

It would seem reasonible if there were a Presidential candidate speaking at the event that weapons of any sort would not be permitted in the hall.  After 9/11 and all the security hassles that has created in airports, sports stadiums and other large public gathering places, no one should have been surprised.

[RecycleMichael]

Irony.

Like the German roasted nuts being there...

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by bugo

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/05/17/2008-05-17_with_mccain_on_hand_knives_wont_cut_it_a.html
NY Daily News

Saturday, May 17th 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A small but startling sign welcomed the gun lovers who arrived at the National Rifle Association's annual gathering Friday.

"Firearms WILL NOT be allowed in Hall A during the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum."

Beyond this sign at the Kentucky Exposition Center was a row of 10 metal detectors. They were manned by uniformed Secret Service officers deployed because the scheduled speakers included presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

The Secret Service sets the rules in such circumstances, and even NRA big shots had to go through the screening. Thousands found themselves standing in a long, slow, feeder line before they even reached one of the lines that stretched in front of each metal detector.

Many had been alerted to the no-firearms edict, so few arrived packing.

"I got a gun in the car," said Deborah Phelps of Fredonia, Ky.

The alert, however, said nothing about pocketknives, which seemingly everybody here was carrying. Hundreds of conventiongoers finally reached the detectors only to be told they could not be admitted with an implement they had never even considered to be a weapon.

Yet another long line formed at a glassed-in kiosk where a pair of Expo Center security guards agreed to watch over the knives.

"It's kind of ironic, isn't it?" Rob Stevens of Bedford, Ky., said. "We preach the right to carry everywhere, and we got to start by turning in a pocketknife."

A pair of Long Islanders who had driven 800 miles to attend the gathering turned in their tickets rather than suffer the humiliation of standing in line to surrender a tiny knife.

"It's supposed to be about freedom," said Anne-Marie Biggins of Bethpage as she stood with Brian O'Connor of Farmingdale.

A 16-year-old local boy named Zachary Hicks who arrived in uniform was turned away because he had a folding knife.

Barbara Heetderts of Dallas was about to follow her husband through the screening when an officer found she had six spent shell casings. She was barred from entry.

"Why?" she asked. "It's empty brass cases."

"They're cartridges," the officer said.

"No, they're cases," she replied. "A cartridge has powder, a primer and a bullet in it."

"I'm saying you can't take them in," the officer said.

Her empty cases joined hundreds of knives, scissors and nail clippers at the kiosk. The line now stretched across the lobby, and the woman running the German Roasted Nuts stand on the far side began taking knives and placing them in white paper bags bearing the owner's name. We're hoping they buy nuts when they pick up their knives," said Eydie Brown. "This whole thing is nuts," one of the knife owners remarked.

That "officer" should be suspended.  What a jerk.  His response should have included the all-purpose excuse word "policy".  The way he reacted just makes him sound like a typical power-mad law enforcement officer.  Things like that is why respect for police is at an all-time low in this country, and is shrinking every day.  Sometimes I think the government wants the public to hate cops by the way they act so we will be in constant fear of them.

I would say that I retain a healthy respect for local law enforcement, but on a Federal level, I'd candidly say that I have no respect for them whatsoever.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by bugo

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/05/17/2008-05-17_with_mccain_on_hand_knives_wont_cut_it_a.html
NY Daily News

Saturday, May 17th 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A small but startling sign welcomed the gun lovers who arrived at the National Rifle Association's annual gathering Friday.

"Firearms WILL NOT be allowed in Hall A during the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum."

Beyond this sign at the Kentucky Exposition Center was a row of 10 metal detectors. They were manned by uniformed Secret Service officers deployed because the scheduled speakers included presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

The Secret Service sets the rules in such circumstances, and even NRA big shots had to go through the screening. Thousands found themselves standing in a long, slow, feeder line before they even reached one of the lines that stretched in front of each metal detector.

Many had been alerted to the no-firearms edict, so few arrived packing.

"I got a gun in the car," said Deborah Phelps of Fredonia, Ky.

The alert, however, said nothing about pocketknives, which seemingly everybody here was carrying. Hundreds of conventiongoers finally reached the detectors only to be told they could not be admitted with an implement they had never even considered to be a weapon.

Yet another long line formed at a glassed-in kiosk where a pair of Expo Center security guards agreed to watch over the knives.

"It's kind of ironic, isn't it?" Rob Stevens of Bedford, Ky., said. "We preach the right to carry everywhere, and we got to start by turning in a pocketknife."

A pair of Long Islanders who had driven 800 miles to attend the gathering turned in their tickets rather than suffer the humiliation of standing in line to surrender a tiny knife.

"It's supposed to be about freedom," said Anne-Marie Biggins of Bethpage as she stood with Brian O'Connor of Farmingdale.

A 16-year-old local boy named Zachary Hicks who arrived in uniform was turned away because he had a folding knife.

Barbara Heetderts of Dallas was about to follow her husband through the screening when an officer found she had six spent shell casings. She was barred from entry.

"Why?" she asked. "It's empty brass cases."

"They're cartridges," the officer said.

"No, they're cases," she replied. "A cartridge has powder, a primer and a bullet in it."

"I'm saying you can't take them in," the officer said.

Her empty cases joined hundreds of knives, scissors and nail clippers at the kiosk. The line now stretched across the lobby, and the woman running the German Roasted Nuts stand on the far side began taking knives and placing them in white paper bags bearing the owner's name. We're hoping they buy nuts when they pick up their knives," said Eydie Brown. "This whole thing is nuts," one of the knife owners remarked.

That "officer" should be suspended.  What a jerk.  His response should have included the all-purpose excuse word "policy".  The way he reacted just makes him sound like a typical power-mad law enforcement officer.  Things like that is why respect for police is at an all-time low in this country, and is shrinking every day.  Sometimes I think the government wants the public to hate cops by the way they act so we will be in constant fear of them.

Sorry, but misleading headline.  The Secret Service dictate these rules, not any other group, when a person getting Secret Service protection is involved.

And to blame the local police for carrying out the rules of the Secret Service is pathetic.  Bugo would be fired the first time he said "I'm not enforcing that rule."

[custosnox]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur
Sorry, but misleading headline.  The Secret Service dictate these rules, not any other group, when a person getting Secret Service protection is involved.

And to blame the local police for carrying out the rules of the Secret Service is pathetic.  Bugo would be fired the first time he said "I'm not enforcing that rule."

I think he is refering to the way the officer responded, not that he is enforcing the rule.  Simply saying that perhaps the officer should have said something like "sorry, but the policy includes..." or along those lines.  Granted, I don't think that he should be suspended, but I will agree that there are too many out there that present themselves as "this is what I say, and that is what goes, period".

[shadows]

We have ban guns and explosives in Iraq.  It is hard to believe that the mere banning any article in any audience is a solution to the problems in this country.   Our problem is to long of a nose that cannot be kept out of others business.  The fear of reprisals is bred by the  corruption that has overtaken governments.  Not withstanding the promise of $5 gasoline by winter.