Phoenix Man Explains Why He Brought Gun To Airport: ‘I Was Making This Political Statement’
When his AR-15 was pointed toward a woman and her teenage daughter at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in July, it didn’t go over too well. But medical researcher Peter Nathan Steinmetz says he never pointed his gun at anyone and was just making a political statement.
Steinmetz removed the rifle from his shoulder, causing the muzzle to face a mother and her 17-year-old daughter, authorities said. They told police they feared for their lives.
“I am a peaceful political activist and my purpose in walking around the airport with my AR-15 rifle was entirely political in nature,” Steinmetz said at a news conference with his attorney. “I am also an educated and responsible gun owner. … As I was making this political statement, I was careful not to disturb or endanger anyone.
“At all times, I was extremely careful to ensure my firearm was never pointed at anyone. … The safety was engaged at all times,” Steinmetz said.
Phoenix police said guns aren’t restricted in that area of the airport. But “it certainly was concerning to other passengers at the airport, not knowing why this individual was walking around with an assault rifle slung over his arm,” Sgt. Steve Martos said.
Martos also said it wasn’t the first time Steinmetz has brought a weapon to Sky Harbor. Officers questioned him Nov. 13 when he picked up his wife from the airport armed with an assault rifle. Steinmetz told police he was exercising his right to bear arms and he wasn’t arrested in that incident, Martos said.
I’d love to tell Steinmetz his behavior is questionable, his actions are frightening to people, and his need to make a “political statement in this way is insane. And if I do it at the top of my lungs, I’ll claim I’m just exercising my First Amendment rights as a “political statement.”
viva_democracy August 5th, 2014 at 8:28 am
So, he expects everyone else in that airport to just KNOW he’s “not” a bad guy with a gun. To KNOW he has the safety on at all times. To KNOW he’s just an idiot “making” some kind of statement. The general public at large is just supposed to know this stuff, according to him.
Hope you and your wife have purchased end of life needs for you cuz I see it coming soon. Just like those who can’t live without serious drugs like meth, heroine, mixing prescription drugs that shouldn’t be mixed. If you live the life, you have shortened your life span. If you’re gonna carry your gun around like a stupid ammosexual, expecting everyone around you just automatically knows you’re a “good guy with a gun”, you have just shortened your life span. No different. Live by the gun, die by the gun.
uzza August 5th, 2014 at 8:49 am
“I’m a dumbass” is a statement, yes, but it’s not really political.
Budda August 5th, 2014 at 9:07 am
Nailed it!
crc3 August 5th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Throw him in jail and then throw away the key….
labman57 August 5th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Steinmetz’ specialty must be those infamous “Abby-normal” brains.
Hillary was right. If you walk around in public — including at dining establishments, shopping malls, bars, etc. — waving your loaded assault rifle or pointing your semi-automatic handgun at people, often yelling epithets at passersby, perhaps even daring anyone to try to take it from you … then you are no “activist” — you’re a terrorist.
Shades August 5th, 2014 at 10:26 am
And how’d that work out for ya?
Jeff Allen August 5th, 2014 at 10:35 am
This nimrod states “I am also an educated and responsible gun owner. … As I was making this political statement, I was careful not to disturb or endanger anyone.” On behalf of ACTUAL responsible gun owners, we make political statements with our votes, not our firearms.
tiredoftea August 5th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Well said.
Jeff Allen August 5th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Thank you
Robert Merrill Taylor August 5th, 2014 at 10:37 am
What if the woman had a gun and plugged him between the eyeballs when he pointed his gun at her?
Jeff Allen August 5th, 2014 at 10:59 am
His political statement would have been made as well as her personal statement
jasperjava August 5th, 2014 at 10:56 am
His “political statement” is
“I have a tiny penis, and I have to carry a massive piece of lethal hardware in order to feel like a man.”
tiredoftea August 5th, 2014 at 12:22 pm
““I am also an educated and responsible gun owner. …” Proof that, if true, education doesn’t mean sensible or respectful. More like he’s a willfully ignorant and irresponsible gun owner.