People are coming absolutely unhinged over this Meleanie Hain situation:
“Come on, a 5-year-old’s soccer game?” she said. “I mean, really. But if she was in my club and I told her she cannot carry, I would be sued.”
Gregg-Bolognese said some clubs have approached her about hiring security guards. Some fathers have threatened to take a gun away from anyone who arrives at a game with one, an idea she tries to squelch. Referees have asked if they should carry guns.
What I see here is a bunch of people who really don’t understand why someone would carry a firearm to a kids soccer game, and are coming up with unrealistic and hysterical thoughts for why someone might want to do this openly. Keep in mind that this league has had problems with overzelous parents. Those of us in the issue understand the context of open carry, so we know Hain is no threat to anyone. Most other people do not, which is why, once again, context matters.
You might have a right to carry a firearm openly at a kids soccer game (the sheriff was wrong for revoking her permit) but we’re raising awareness of the issue of carrying firearms in the media in a way the public is going to have a tough time understanding. Parents who get scared and hysterical at the thought of someone carrying openly at a kids’ soccer game do not have a right to be free from fear. But they do have a right to vote, speak to the media, and petition the government. Pooh pooh their fear all you want, but scared parents are dangerous politically, and thin ice is being tread on here.
Hat tip to Arms and the Law
