Lori Klein, AZ State Senator, Pointed Loaded Gun At Reporter

[Texas Size 11]

I'm shocked. How can anyone do anything so stupid? I mean, there are people out there who actually read the Huffington Post?

Classic.

[mamabearCali]

It sounds like she was not using the greatest discretion--I don't show my weapon to anyone I do not know VERY well. Don't take out your firearm out of it's holster in public unless you intend to use it--that is how problems of all varieties start. But it does not sound like she pointed it at the reporter on purpose and it was unloaded, so no one was in terrible danger. It could have been an accident on both the representative's and the reporters part, but since it was a reporter and how it was reported on the Huff--I tend to think that it may not have been an accident on the reporters part.

[sjfcontrol]

But it does not sound like she pointed it at the reporter on purpose and it was unloaded, so no one was in terrible danger. It could have been an accident on both the representative's and the reporters part, but since it was a reporter and how it was reported on the Huff--I tend to think that it may not have been an accident on the reporters part.

...another one after she pointed a loaded gun at the chest of a reporter who was profiling her as a part of a series on gun culture in Arizona.
This was how reporter Richard Ruelas described what happened in yesterday’s Republic: “She showed off the laser sighting by pointing the red beam at the reporter’s chest. The gun has no safety, she said, but there was no need to worry. ‘I just didn’t have my hand on the trigger,’ she said.”

[sugar land dave]

How many times do we say in the forum not to show your gun to anyone who is not your closest friend or your immediate enemy?

[comp73]

[mamabearCali]

But it does not sound like she pointed it at the reporter on purpose and it was unloaded, so no one was in terrible danger. It could have been an accident on both the representative's and the reporters part, but since it was a reporter and how it was reported on the Huff--I tend to think that it may not have been an accident on the reporters part.

...another one after she pointed a loaded gun at the chest of a reporter who was profiling her as a part of a series on gun culture in Arizona.
This was how reporter Richard Ruelas described what happened in yesterday’s Republic: “She showed off the laser sighting by pointing the red beam at the reporter’s chest. The gun has no safety, she said, but there was no need to worry. ‘I just didn’t have my hand on the trigger,’ she said.”

"After she was asked to show her weapon so photos could be taken of it, Klein said she made sure the chamber was clear."


I am not sure why I am being flamed there? The huff did not even tell her side of the story the AZCapitoltimes did. This is the quote I was referring to when I said the gun was unloaded "After she was asked to show her weapon so photos could be taken of it, Klein said she made sure the chamber was clear." Perhaps it is just how I was trained, but I don't declare a chamber "clear" until every bullet is out of the gun. A gun is never ever "clear" until it is 100% unloaded, that is why I thought she had unloaded the gun.

As for the reporter doing it on purpose "During this demonstration, the reporter came and sat down in the sofa in front of me, placing himself in the line of the laser sight,” Klein said." Now maybe the reporter is an idiot, but how many of us go and stand in front of a gun? Suspicious at least!

[M2K]

How many times do we say in the forum not to show your gun to anyone who is not your closest friend or your immediate enemy?

This guidance may qualify in this instance!

[sjfcontrol]

But it does not sound like she pointed it at the reporter on purpose and it was unloaded, so no one was in terrible danger. It could have been an accident on both the representative's and the reporters part, but since it was a reporter and how it was reported on the Huff--I tend to think that it may not have been an accident on the reporters part.

...another one after she pointed a loaded gun at the chest of a reporter who was profiling her as a part of a series on gun culture in Arizona.
This was how reporter Richard Ruelas described what happened in yesterday’s Republic: “She showed off the laser sighting by pointing the red beam at the reporter’s chest. The gun has no safety, she said, but there was no need to worry. ‘I just didn’t have my hand on the trigger,’ she said.”

"After she was asked to show her weapon so photos could be taken of it, Klein said she made sure the chamber was clear."


I am not sure why I am being flamed there? The huff did not even tell her side of the story the AZCapitoltimes did. This is the quote I was referring to when I said the gun was unloaded "After she was asked to show her weapon so photos could be taken of it, Klein said she made sure the chamber was clear." Perhaps it is just how I was trained, but I don't declare a chamber "clear" until every bullet is out of the gun. A gun is never ever "clear" until it is 100% unloaded, that is why I thought she had unloaded the gun.



As for the reporter doing it on purpose "During this demonstration, the reporter came and sat down in the sofa in front of me, placing himself in the line of the laser sight,” Klein said." Now maybe the reporter is an idiot, but how many of us go and stand in front of a gun? Suspicious at least!

I didn't intend to "flame" anybody. I originally read the Huff article. Then you made several statements that appeared untrue (or at least unsupported by the Huff article). I then read enough of the AZ article to reinforce what was said in the Huff article. I should have read further. At this point I have no idea if the gun was unloaded, unchambered, or fully-loaded. I also have no idea if the reporter stepped in front of the gun, or it was aimed at him. Seems to be a lot of accusing, spinning, and back-covering going on. Somehow I doubt we'll ever know the real details. But it was something that could have been easily avoided. Especially if you're a politician, keep your firearms concealed. Medina discovered this truth, too.

[Oldgringo]

1. Isn't Arizona an OC state?
2. Who cares what the Arizonans show to each other?

[VoiceofReason]

1. Isn't Arizona an OC state?
2. Who cares what the Arizonans show to each other?

uh----------nope, not going to say it.

[mamabearCali]

I am happy I live in an open carry state (VA) as it means if my cover garment flaps up for some reason I am not looking at people freaking out and charges for simply having my weapon seen. I do love TX, and I love it when I visit, and yall have a castle doctrine that I would so love to have here in VA, but an open carry is not the worrysome beast that some think it is.

[bat1]

A Fly on the wall, I can see it now :

Reporter: Do you carry a Gun ?

Lori Klein: Yes

Reporter : Can I see it?

Lori Klein: I would rather Not.

Reporter : Please, Please Please..?

Lori Klein:Ok, here it is, see it has a laser

Reporter: (walks in front of it) Look the laser is on me..

Lori Klein: Its ok, I wont shoot, my finger, is not on the trigger

Other reporter: WOW, Great News story, thanks.." Lori Klein points gun at reporter"...$$$$$$$

-----------
Lesson learned: Never let any one know your carry, and NEVER Trust a reporter.. Oh, also NEVER Pull your gun out for any reason,,,

Note to self: Reporters want to make Money by selling the best story they can at any cost $$$$$$

BAT

[seeker_two]

More info to add.....

http://www.saysuncle.com/2011/07/13/he-said-she-said/

[ELB]

What a dilemma. Did a politician do something dumb? Or did a journalist slant his story to make the pol look like an idiot?

Glenn Reynolds was right. Politicians should make that when interviewed, they WHOLE interview is video recorded with their own equipment.