August, 11 2009, 05:42pm EDT
Use Common Sense: Keep Guns Out Of Town Hall Debates, Away From Presidential Speaking Events
WASHINGTON
Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence,
released the following statement on news reports that more people are
bringing loaded handguns to town hall debates over health care, even to
President Obama's town hall in New Hampshire today:
"Let's be clear: it is dangerous to allow the carrying of
loaded handguns to the 'town hall' meetings hosting heated discussions
about health care and other issues around the country. Except for
trained law enforcement, it is unthinkable to allow people with loaded
guns near the President of the United States.
"We should decide contentious public issues with ballots, not bullets.
The 'any gun, any where, any time' mentality of a few must give way to
common sense before innocent people get hurt."
#
So far, there have been three reported incidents of guns being brought to town halls in the past week:
Gun brought to town hall in Memphis, Tennessee: https://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-to-enter-town-hall-fray-2009-08-11.html
Gun dropped at town hall in Sierra Vista, Arizona: https://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/304149
Gun brought to President Obama's town hall today in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/11/protester-with-gun-found_n_256614.html
Brady United formerly known as The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and its legislative and grassroots affiliate, the Brady Campaign and its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
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