I couldn’t resist this story. It's a perfect example of what happens when you ignore possible consequences in favor of an idealized notion, like carrying second amendment rights to the extreme.
When now recalled, then AZ Senate President, Russell Pearce said lawmakers could carry guns into the state capitol, he was invoking the wild west mentality, the lore, that many swear by in AZ. We have officially made the Colt Single Action Army Revolver the state gun in honor of this mentality. The problem with living in the past is you forget that people were shooting each other in the streets over minor disputes.
When the Colt Single Action Army revolver officially became Arizona's state gun on April 28, it was more than just a symbolic nod to the past.
State lawmakers who promoted and passed the measure made it clear that firearms are a part of the contemporary Arizona lifestyle, not to mention the state's politics and economy, as well as its legends and lore.
http://www.azcentral.com/...
Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce says it's OK for State Senators to carry guns inside the Senate building.
The Arizona Republic reports the Mesa Republican issued a memo Tuesday to lawmakers clarifying his policy.
Pearce says a member of the Legislature does not lose his or her Second Amendment rights when coming to work each day.
http://azstarnet.com/...
So what happens when you get a person, that his coworkers are in fear of, where lawmakers are allowed to carry guns in the capitol? Did they never think they could turn on each other in an atmosphere of rank partisanship and anger? After all, Alexander Hamilton was killed in a duel by Vice President Aaron Burr that started over politics.
It seems embattled Tucson lawmaker Rep. Daniel Patterson, facing expulsion, is putting so much fear into other lawmakers that he is confined to the third story of the House and has to be escorted to the floor for votes. But Republicans blocked his being removed from office for the time being in spite of the fear from house members.
But the leading Democrat in the House says that’s not good enough. House Minority Leader Chad Campbell says he believes Patterson may become violent and he wants assurances that the Tucson legislator will be searched for weapons and escorted by security officers at all times while he is in the building.
“I just don’t get it. It’s not rocket science,” Campbell said. “That would solve all of our problems right there.
“This is a pattern of irrational and destructive behavior,” said House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, in support of a fellow Democrat’s motion to expel Patterson.
“We have members sleeping with guns,” Campbell said, an apparent reference to Rep. Lynne Pancrazi’s statement to the investigators that she felt threatened by Patterson and kept a weapon nearby while sleeping. “We’re worried.”
“What else am I supposed to do? Ankle chains and a guillotine? Security’s been watching this guy for months,” Tobin said.
Tobin told Arizona Capitol Times today that Patterson’s electronic key card will now only grant him access to the second floor of the House of Representatives, and he will not be able to enter other secure areas in the building.
Tobin on Tuesday also moved Patterson’s office from a secured part of the building on the first floor – where he shared office space with other Democrats – to an unsecured area on the third floor. Patterson on April 2 changed his voter registration from Democratic to independent.
Patterson told KFYI radio talk show host Mike Broomhead today that Campbell’s request and Tobin’s decision to limit his access to the building is “unethical” behavior under House rules.
“I would say that would be a completely hostile work environment and (it) makes it difficult for me to do my job,” he said.
Campbell said concerns about setting a precedent by Republicans in not expelling Patterson were potentially jeopardizing the safety of legislators and others.
“You know what precedent would be bad? If (Patterson) comes in here and shoots somebody,” he said.
Several Democrats have acknowledged they are bringing guns to the Capitol because they are scared of Patterson.
Patterson on Monday said claims that he was dangerous are “ridiculous” and accused his colleagues of making up stories for political gain.
http://azcapitoltimes.com/...
http://azcapitoltimes.com/...
Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Phoenix Democrat and Iraq war veteran, said he brought his 9mm pistol to work today.
“Some state representatives are having security walk them from place to place, other state representatives have brought their personal weapons to work,” Gallego said.
Gallego said he knows of at least three other House members from both parties who are carrying weapons, but he wouldn’t identify them.
“Just look for the bulge in the lower back or the bulge at the ankle,” Gallego said.
http://azcapitoltimes.com/...
Patterson, in a telephone interview from Tucson, said he has been too “forceful” in dealings with others at the Capitol. However, “having too strong an approach at the Capitol is not unethical.”
Patterson also said, “I’m not a threat to anybody there.”
In the wild west lore and lifestyle of AZ, we don’t want to take away guns rights from anyone, even if they might present a clear and present danger to others. Or even if it is just a plain stupid idea to allow them in places like the capitol, bars and on college campuses.
Even in Tombstone they couldn’t carry guns in town or the bar. Now we have the whole senate and house packing heat. What could go wrong? I hope it doesn’t turn into another OK Corral.