YOUR COMMENTS

Tyler,

"The only things I feel someone can do if they don’t agree with the government is 1) leave, 2) run for office and change things, or 3) start a revolution with a majority of the citizens supporting it."

Ty, a revolution has to start somewhere. It doesnt start with a million people at once. Someone has to be first. If you think the majority Americans would not agree with the statement "It is reasonable to be shown the law of which you are accused of violating and for the jury to be shown the law as well", then say so. This way the rest of us on this board can ascertain if you are a reasonable person or not. You make claims about the average American without bothering to find out anything about what they believe in.

Don't assume you know what most people think. Most people have common sense, and common sense dictates if you're accused of a crime, there has to be a law that says what you did is criminal. The jury needs to see the statutes in writing, not be given oral instructions from a judge with an obvious agenda. A judge like that cant be impartial...and that is supposed to be a key element of the judicial system, the independence and the impartiality of the judiciary. Instead what we have is a political judiciary which is affected by self interest. Thats not what American justice was EVER intended to look like.
- phil, bedford

I don't recall saying that Jason's weapons were illegal. What I was pointing out was in response to those who suggested that it's "normal" to have "a gun in every room." One argument was that this could be in case of a home invasion. The problem with that argument is that every one of Jason's weapons was for offense, not defense. If he wants to keep a Glock in his nightstand, as I do, I have no issue with that.
- Brian Jennison, Newmarket

Thought everyone who joins the military takes the oath to protect the US. This guy, Gerhard ought to be prosecuted in accordance with the UCMJ, given a dishonorable discharge and sent to Ft. Leavinworth to make furniture for a few years.
- Bob, Stuart, FL

now that everyone hos there "right to bear arms" hackles raised, let's do some clarification. they were not arrested for having a gun in every room as soom of you conpiricy thoerists wish to believe, they were arrested for providing material support for two felons, and known fugitives from justice. The gun issue was raised after the Browns and supporters made criminal threats against law enforcement officials involved in this matter. That is why there is a concern that they had a gun in every room. Get it straight. Your making all of us who truley believe in the right to bear arms responsibly look bad. Idiots.
- sean, manchester

Browns made money as American Citizens. They need to abide by the jury verdict -- they can appeal. I believe they should have an additional charge -- payment for all government experses required leading up to their futire arrest as fugetives.
- Bo Gritz, Sandy Valley, NV

How do we know if that pipe bomb allegedly found on the young man was not planted by someone?
- Reece, Dillingham AK

Brian--a 'gun fetish' is not illegal, even if you want to pretend that it is. Those are nice firearms. I bet he kept one in every room.
- JB, New Boston, NH

Brian, what's your point? If he can legally own a firearm theres no limit to how many he can purchase. As JB points out this is just the press trying to demonize firearms.
- Eric, Sutton

Brian Jennison, I can tell you what most of the guns there in that photo are, and they all appear to be legal..IF someone is legally allowed to own them. And I have news for you...many, many law-abiding citizens who might live near you have more than that, but you'll never see or hear of them, because they're law-abiding citizens. From the top in that photo is a Bulgarian Arsenal or Saiga version of a Kalashnikov, semi-auto. Then an AR-15, Beretta Storm carbine, one I've unsure of, some sort of bolt-action rifle, perhaps .50 BMG, and then another AR-15. They are all semi-autos. All legal. Whether he had malicious intent to MISuse them is up to the law to decide. If he had a pipe bomb...then he had malicious intent, and he should not own them. But don't consider that a "dangerous arsenal", because it's not! It's a rather small collection, really.
- Adam F., Merrimack

I said it was a problem, not against the law. Ed has made it clear that he will not obey the law, has threatened the lives of the people that are trying to bring him in, and will not pay taxes. That is why I feel his rights should not be defended. Freedom isn't free, but old Eddie thinks it is. Or that WE should pay for it and not him. Not to mention our soldiers and their families that have made the biggest sacrifice that can be made. I did not say anything about other people's rights, just his. He says he will fire upon anyone that tries to take him by force. He can avoid "by force" by turning himself in. He is a religious fanatic that feels "god" is on his side, as a "fundamentalist" does. Believe me, one of my favorite columns is The Armed Citizen. If there were more gun carrying citizens, would be criminals might think twice about robbing/raping/assaulting someone on the street or in their home. If they didn't think twice, at least they would be taken out. We all know that a restraining order only works in theory. Eric, I applaud the fact that you actually responded and are prepared to defend yourself and defend the rights of others. So we disagree on Ed Brown's rights. Big deal.
- Tyler, Farmington

A pipe bomb is a BATFE-classed Destructive Device, and is patently illegal anytime, anywhere. The only explosives one is allowed to have are construction or demolition explosives with a license for such. In other words, you can buy dynamite for stump-blasting if you have a license, but you can't EVER have a pipe bomb, which has no lawful purpose. That's a serious federal felony. Really, there was no reason to mention guns at all unless he was a convicted felon or had guns illegal for his area, or guns without licenses for additions or modifications.
- Mike R., Bedford

All you folks who take issue with the reference to "a gun in every room" should take a look at the front page photo in today's "Concord Monitor" and tell me if Jason Gerhard is just protecting himself from a home invasion, or if he has some sort of gun fetish. Speaking of invasion, I'd say he has enough firepower on hand to lead one of his own in some small country...
- Brian Jennison, Newmarket

To all those who are bemoaning the Right To Bear Arms--the proper title for this article should have referenced the ILLEGAL activities--such as pipe bombs. Owning firearms, no matter how many, and locating them anywhere you want in your PRIVATE property...is...wait for it...LEGAL!! But somehow in this Orwellian State, titillating headlines are far more important than reality.
- JB, New Boston, NH

Tyler:
I'm not in any way defending the Browns. They are law breakers and should be brought to justice. What I am defending is the right to LEGALLY own firearms. If the person arrested is not a convicted felon then he can LEGALLY own a firearm. Just for the record, I own several LEGAL firearms and have a permit to carry in several states. If somebody wants to make death threats I won't have to cower in a corner wishing I had a gun.
- Eric, Sutton

Mike,
Any knowledge of the pipe bomb laws in this state? Is there a Tax for that too? I am not being serious on that one. Thanks for the insight, I am sure that some people just learned something from your post. They might not like it,
but at least the people reading this are paying attention to the issues, whichever side they may be on. Better than watching Inside Edition or other useless
drivel that some think is news.
- Tyler, Farmington

Ryan, a silencer is perfectly legal in many states if you register it and pay the federal tax stamp on it. They are legal in New Hampshire as well, and many gun shops carry them. No crimes have been committed with them in recent history...they're simply nice for not destroying your own eardrums when target-practicing or protecting your family from a home invader. Please be aware of the laws in your own state before posting.
- Mike R., Bedford

Stephen, it's normal for what New Hampshire once was. Now that it's been invaded by MA liberals and their "Oh, the state and government will protect me from the evil home invaders, that will never happen to ME! " whining dependence on big government, it's not so normal, no. And that's not a good thing. Once upon a time, families kept shotguns above their door, but that America has fallen away in favor of dependent socialism. We can't even feed ourselves without fast food places, now.
- Josh Dupont, Manchester

I am all for guns in the hands of law abiding citizens. I own guns. I like guns.
I respect guns. The Browns and the arrested "buddies" are NOT law abiding citizens. Ed Brown has made public death threats to specific people in law enforcement. That is why a "gun in every room" is a problem. Wake up people!!!!! Would Eric be ok with a gun toting lunatic publicly making death threats against him? Would Eric be defending the rights of the lunatic then? Eric, your thoughts on this please. Ed is looking for a gun fight and I hope he gets it. He is a fugitive from justice, a waco (I’m sorry, did I forget a k?), and he is wasting our tax dollars. I also feel that the government wastes a lot of my money but you know what? I don’t care. I put myself thru college, have a decent job,
and I live a comfortable life. Nothing was handed to me; I earned everything I have with diligent hard work. I am living the “American Dream”. The only things I feel someone can do if they don’t agree with the government is 1) leave, 2) run for office and change things, or 3) start a revolution with a majority of the citizens supporting it. That is why the right to bear arms “shall not be infringed upon” no matter what the limousine liberals say about it. It is not so much about self defense as it is to protect the citizens from tyranny. I would not for a second consider Ed Brown’s supporters a majority in this land of ours. As Americans we are not a perfect society, all we can do is try to make it better for future generations. At least we live in a country that allows people to disagree, have intelligent debates about topics, protests, free speech, free press and such. Try that in North Korea. Yes, I think that it is a shame that most people are more interested in celebrity worship than what the real important issues are, but it is a free country. I still think that we should get that tank from the Waco video, the one with the huge battering
ram, and pay Ed a little visit.
- Tyler, Farmington

I don't understand this paper's infatuation with these lunatics. It claims not to support them yet it provides almost daily coverage of their rants. Stop covering them and they will go away or die. Either way, we don't have to hear about them anymore.
- Jason, Manchester

A gun in every room is "okay"? I wonder when that became "normal" to people in New Hampshire. It sure isn't normal to most average families' ears, especially when added to the anti-government rhetoric and a promise by the Browns to never be taken alive. These people are insane, and more to the point, they are criminals who refuse to pay their fair share to society. No one is above the law. Some people here are taking this libertarian disease a bit too far in defending them. Law enforcement needs to stamp out this contagion before it spreads.
- Stephen, Manchester

Since when did having a Pipe Bomb become legal? and some of the Rifel's and other guns were found with Silencers on them, i dont believe that is legal either. Stop harrasing the paper if you cant read the whole story.
- Ryan, Concord

I don't support the Browns but what the heck is with pointing out that there was "a gun in every room?"

What the heck is wrong with that? Some people are into guns. Are they supposed to keep them all huddled together in one room?

I hate it when "journalists" always let their anti-gun bias show. That part of the article is clearly trying to scare people and shame on the Union Leader's editors for letting this article go to print with that kind of bigoted language in it.
- Bob Hoskins, New Boston

Hello people have we forgotten who these people are. The Browns need to just stop wasting tax payers money and give up. I don't like paying taxes either but it's the law. I could care less about the guns in every room. I say send in SWAT and if the browns want a fight i'm sure SWAT will give the one.
- Sean, Allenstown

Why is crime less in NH, VT and other states whose laws respect the 2nd Amendment?
Unlike in the Peoples' Republic of Massachusetts; burglars, rapists and other scum know their intended victim may be armed.
Live Free or Die!
- Gil, Hillsboro

The only time a 'gun in every room' should ever be denigrated as a bad thing is if they are either illegal weapons or the owner is a felon. Otherwise, this is just a gratuitous attempt to demonize firearms. The writer and editors should be ashamed at this tactic.
- JB, New Boston, NH

Anybody set up a legal defense fund for these guys yet? If I contribute to it, will the thought police come for me, too? As Our President has said, "Bring it on!!!"
- Gene Smith, Hopkinton, NH

Since when is it against the law to own guns? Is there a limit as to how many guns you can own? "a gun in every room", who cares, unless the guy is a felon but that is never stated in the story
- Eric, Sutton

Kathryn you make it sound like having a gun in every room is a bad thing...Do you get a chance to read this news paper on a regular basis...It seems everyday now there's story about someone's home being invaded. The Jason Violette story right above yours in this mornings top stories for example. I would like to see an article in this paper titled "Everyone! should have a gun in everyroom" The police can only do so much to protect us and 80% of what they do is after the fact. If we don't have the ability to protect one's self when mister bad guy comes crawling through the window."We will be victim's"
- Jeff, Hollis