Man Carrying Semi-Automatic Assault Rifle and Pistol at Pro-Health Rally in Arizona where President Obama was Speaking

The Arizona Republic is reporting that a man was spotted carrying a semi-automatic assault rifle and a pistol at a pro-health care reform rally next to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Arizona where President Obama was speaking

A man, who decided not to give his name, was walking around the pro-health care reform rally at 3rd and Washington streets, with a pistol on his hip, and an AR-15 (a semi-automatic assault rifle) on a strap over his shoulder."Because I can do it," he said when asked why he was armed. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms."

CNN's Ed Henry is reporting that another man is also carrying a rifle. I cannot recall this much drama occurring when former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were making the rounds. This behavior is unprecedented and disturbing on so many levels. It is troubling because this is the third report in a week of someone bringing a gun to an event where the president was speaking.

Justin Reed, US Marine, Arrested at Logan Airport, After Gun, Bomb-Making Materials, Ammunition Found in his Check Baggage

Corporal Justin Reed, 22, was arrested yesterday at Logan International Airport after TSA screeners found a gun, bomb-making materials and ammunition in his checked baggage. How smart! Reed, was reportedly booked on US Airways Flight 877 to Charlotte, N.C. and had arrived from a flight in Las Vegas yesterday morning. So, did his baggage go through security in Las Vegas and this was not detected? If that is the case, it is very troubling. He has been charged with possession of an infernal machine and possession of a concealed weapon and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond.

TSA screeners in Terminal B called State Police at 7:10 a.m. after a screen discovered the following items in his checked baggage: a locked handgun box containing a semi-automatic handgun, a fully loaded gun magazine, several boxes of 9 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, three model rocket engines containing an explosive mixture, military pull-type fuses, switches, electronics kit boxes with various components, and a hand grenade fuse assembly with detonator.

Reed was charged with possession of an infernal machine and possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of an airport. He was booked at the State Police barracks at Logan and held in lieu of $50,000 bail. He will be arraigned at East Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday. Source: Boston.com

Let me preface this by saying that according to the Boston Globe, it is legal to have a firearm in checked baggage but that it must be declared to security officials. Reed apparently did not do that in this instance. Again, this brings me back to me previous question, how did his treasure trove get pass security in Las Vegas, since all checked baggage on domestic flights must be screened by TSA on originating flights?