(Late update: CNN now reports that there were two men carrying assault rifles, reportedly AR-15s, outside President Obama's event in Phoenix.)
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."
Here's video from ArizonaCentral.com (go to about 1:30).
It looks like the man giving the interview was also carrying a pistol.http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/2009/08/man-carrying-an-assault-rifle-and-pistol-outside-obama-event.php?ref=fpaVideo:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/08/video_at_least_one_man_shows_up_with_assault_rifle.php No arrests during Obama visit, but three seen with guns
Three men were carrying guns outside the Phoenix Convention Center Monday morning during President Barack Obama’s visit, but there were no arrests, according to Phoenix Police. One man was carrying an assault rifle and pistol and two others had handguns, according to police.
Obama spoke at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention at the center Monday. Protesters in downtown Phoenix focused on the health care reform debate. It is not illegal to openly carry weapons in Arizona, but police kept close tabs on the men, said spokesman Andy Hill.
Security was heightened but not intense in downtown Phoenix during the president’s visit. Hill said there were no arrests related to the protests.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/08/17/daily20.html