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Arizona Police Oppose Gun Rights Today
Anti-Preemption Rally Held
Many Police Officers Opposing AZ & US Constitutions
by Angel Shamaya
KeepAndBearArms.org Reporter
http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org

As Arizona's Preemption Bill (HB2095) approaches the Senate
floor for final vote before being sent to the Governor's desk,
the heat is on.

A rally was held today in the Senate/House courtyard.  In
attendance were Phoenix Councilman Phil Gordon and representatives
from many law enforcement agencies around the state.

Representatives from the following agencies were present today: Police
officers from Phoenix, Tucson, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe,
Chandler, Fountain Hills, Mesa, Prescott Valley, Greenville, and Capitol
Police; Fraternal Order of Police; Phoenix Law Enforcement Association;
and a few others.

Also in attendance today were representatives of KeepAndBearArms.org,
Brassroots.org, MothersArms.org, AZ-RKBA, and the NRA.  Several other
concerned gun owners were present, as well, none of whom got to take
the podium.

What we saw was a one-sided media presentation.  Officers and
law enforcement agency representatives were given the stage
one after another to speak out against Arizona Preemption.  News
cameras were rolling; news writers were scribbling.  Only one side
was presented to the media.

HB2095, when signed into law, will nullify the many unconstitutional
city and county ordinances which infringe on the individual right to
carry a gun for self-defense purposes. The officers present at today's
event each believe their local jurisdictions deserve the power to enact
and enforce laws which prohibit law-abiding citizens from carrying a
gun for self-defense.  To the attending officers' credits, they do
seem quite sincere in their concerns for public safety.  Their
arguments simply carry no weight.

Some of the statements made in today's "rally" are worth reporting.
Feel free to contact any of these agencies to voice your opinion
regarding the public servants' oppositions to the right to self-defense
as recognized by both the Arizona and united States Constitutions.

------

Payson Officer
-- "We don't want guns in libraries."

KeepAndBearArms.org Response
-- Tell that to the criminals who will carry them anyway.  Your laws
only stop law-abiding people from carrying guns in libraries.
Criminals
don't obey laws.  You've set up a criminal candy store.  (Do they ever
think about this?)

------

Fraternal Order of Police Official Spokesperson
-- "I represent 7,000 law enforcement officers across the state,
and we unanimously agree to oppose HB2095."

KeepAndBearArms.org Response
-- There isn't even a remote chance all 7,000 of your members agree
to disarm the good guys.  We personally know officers under your flag
who believe the bill should pass.  Not true.  Why are you saying
something that is not true?  And why do you want to tell our wives
they must go unprotected into the parks where rapes occurred last year?
Where is the logic in telling people they are safer without guns?

-- And you actually admit publicly and on record that 7,000 police
officers oppose the State and federal Constitutions?  Any attorneys
getting this?

------

Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
-- "Our 2,500 members oppose this bill because it would make cities
much less safe."

KeepAndBearArms.org Response
-- How?  This is what many of you said when we pushed for a concealed
carry law.  Didn't happen.  This is what the opponents of concealed
carry laws said in each of the 31 states who now have concealed carry
laws.  Didn't happen then, either, ever, at all.  Why would more gun
crime erupt when the criminals already carry guns anyway?  Do you
honestly
believe the "no guns in parks" ordinances actually stop even ONE
criminal
from carrying a gun?

------

Paradise Valley Officer
-- "We are open to a compromise on this issue.  Our concern is about
being
able to prohibit guns from being brought in to city council chambers."

KeepAndBearArms.org Response
-- Since you must not know this, there is a state law that allows you
to
prohibit guns in council chambers.  Look it up.  Non issue.  Argument
disqualified.

------

The rest of the speeches given by the law enforcement personnel were
vague and general, offering Zero logical, sensible reasons why HB2095
should not become law.

One statement made to me personally after the event by a genuinely nice
police officer is worth reporting:  "We just want to be able to stop
criminals
from carrying guns.  When we see a criminal with a gun in a park, we
have
a law that lets us intervene before violence erupts."

My personal opinion:
Even a generous interpretation of this statement suggests that someone
with a gun displayed could possibly be viewed as a criminal simply for
having a gun.  While it's tough to imagine going up against today's
brazen criminals day in and day out, this American doesn't think the
"he has a gun, he must be a criminal" attitude is supportive of We The
People.  The officers present today do not fully understand this issue.
They are reaching in the wrong direction in an attempt to get a handle
on crime control.  Their goal is admirable, even noble; but their means
to that goal is grossly flawed.

Arizona police officers gathered today to take a stand against the
united
States and Arizona Constitutions.  As much as I respect the great value
many police officers bring to our society, I am in shock at the gall
exhibited today.  Arizona's Constitution Article 2, Section 26: "The
right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or
the state shall not be impaired..."  That has more teeth than the
federal
Constitution!  NO room for error!

Accolades go to Rick DeStephens of Brassroots.org.  When Councilman
Gordon
declared the rally over, Rick said, "This is not a press conference.
This
is a one-sided media splash."  Poof!  Two microphones, one camera, one
AP press agent.  He spoke eloquently and may make the evening news.
The
AP guy let me make one statement, formed as a question:

"How will disarming law-abiding women make them safer?"



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Angel Shamaya
Email Update Editor
Webmaster, List Administrator
Webmaster@KeepAndBearArms.org

H. S. "Gunnie" Reagan, Ph.D., D.D.
Web Site Inspiration
Gunnie@KeepAndBearArms.org
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