The Message Sent

What's the message sent here?

A man was seen carrying an assault rifle and a pistol outside the VFW Convention in Phoenix where President Obama spoke today, a local newspaper reports. (Click through for a photo.)

Local police said it's legal under Arizona law, but two officers kept close by him.

"If we need to intervene, we will intervene at that time," said Detective J. Oliver.

The man, who gave his name only as "Chris", was asked why he was armed. "Because I can do it," he said. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms."

A man shows up outside the place where the President is speaking. He is carrying a rifle ("assault rifle" is a meaningless term) and a pistol.

What message is he trying to send to the President, and to others? "Because I can do it" is not a particularly good reason. But the threat of violence is implied, is it not?

That's where our health care debate is in 2009. A man can bring a rifle to a Presidential speech. That's his idea of contributing.

[UPDATE 7:01 PM] From TPM:

(Late update: CNN now reports that there were two men carrying assault rifles, reportedly AR-15s, outside President Obama's event in Phoenix.)

(Late late update: The Associated Press reports that there were about 12 people with guns outside the event.)

So, a dozen armed people outside a Presidential speech event.

Classy.