Could the President Carry?

Real life Presidents, though, I don't think they could pull it off.
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If I had my way, Han Solo would be the real President. He always shoots first. ;)

I'd love to see a President say, "Hey, this is ridiculous, as a resident of the District of Columbia, even I am not allowed to carry a gun under the current laws! What about all the people who don't have the kind of protection I get? Why is their right to defend themselves being denied?"
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Vanya, I think you're right on that point. The idea of the President penning an executive order so that he can carry (while other DC residents cannot) brings to mind Dick Mell's shenanigans in Chicago a few years back, and the whole thing would smack of elitism.

However, having a President bring the issue forth in the public arena the way you've described? That would be incredible, to see the fight being waged from the top down.
 
It seems to have been overlooked that no one is likely to try and stop a president from carrying a gun. Therefore, the answer is yes, he could. Could he carry legally is a different question.
 
To carry on federal property it just has to be for official purposes. So the president can easily get a permit to carry on any federal land or installation by writing a short memo. I do not think that memo would work for non-federal carry in states that restrict concealed weapons.
 
not go where, to the death star? pardon me, as far as hypotheticals go, seemed like it was already headed there.
 
President Bush signed two executive orders about this. One allowing the President to carry and a second prohibiting Vice President Cheney from carrying. (Sorry in advance , I couldn't help myself).
 
One allowing the President to carry and a second prohibiting Vice President Cheney from carrying.
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I was talking to a SS agent one time. Not only is Cheney a huge gun person, he could shoot. He often went to the range with SS agents and could out shoot most of them.

As to the president, since he's the highest LE officer in the land, head of the justice department, I would think he could carry under the LEOSA.

People would complain, rant and rave, regardless, people are always grumbling about something no matter which way you go, but I really doubt any president would be impeached for carrying a concealed weapon.
 
Who says he does not already carry? Concealed means concealed.

Like most politicians, a POTUS has a base he/she has to pander to. The wider the base, the better the chances of being elected.

By carrying openly he would alienate a lot of people. By not acknowledging he is carrying, the gun folks do not seem to mind. Past presidents have been photographed shooting long guns, but I am not aware of any that show a president using a handgun.
 
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Cease and desist talking about current or recent office holders and stick with the theoretical except to cite factual instances of them carrying in office or granting permission for such. Whether Barack W. Cheney was a good shot is irrelevant.

Thank you.
 
seems to me SS is around him all the time and unless they actually train for the president drawing a gun it would get in the way and may be more dangerous to all involved. maybe while he is alone in his office or bedroom? what scenarios seem vulnerable?
 
Being the President " WHO IS THE HEAD HONCHO" who is going to tell him he can't carry a hand gun. Like stated he is in charge of all the military and federal LE agencies. That would be the same as telling the chief of police he can't carry a gun.
 
That has actually been done in towns where the police chief couldn't pass the qualifications. Haha. Happenend in Portland, OR, IIRC many years ago.
 
The President also has a limited immunity to criminal prosecution; this certainly would not be treason or bribery, and it really wouldn't register as a "high crime or misdemeanor." Even so, it would require impeachment and trial in the Senate.

So not only is it a "who is going to say no" kind of thing, but even if he's blatantly violating the law by doing it, would it actually rise to the level of something that could lead to removal from office?

I suppose if Congress really wanted to cook his goose over it, it could be possible, but it would be an extraordinarily difficult sell.
 
If he is a legal resident of this country and has no felony record or been adjudged mentally incapacitated by a court of law then he has the same second amendment rights as every other citizen. Of course he also has to abide by all the silly laws, rules, regulations and petty bull that the rest of us have to abide by. No special consideration for him just because 52% of this country's voters thought he walked on water.
 
Couple of things to consider here, some of which have been mentioned previously...

- The POTUS could indeed sign an E/O authorizing himself to carry.

- The POTUS could use his/her significant political weight to influence, both openly and behind closed doors, the reversal of draconian gun laws in certain locations of the U.S.

- The POTUS does not need to carry. Yes, there's tons of SS agents around the POTUS at all times... Yes, they are well-armed and even better trained. However, since when does the need to carry determine anything for us?

- Normally, most of us advocate that anyone who wants to carry, should, after obtaining proper training and permits (if permitting is required). Well, the POTUS can create a "permit" for himself via E/O... Therefore, if the POTUS wants to carry, he should.

It would be a real political statement regarding firearms use in the country. Sure, the POTUS doesn't need to... But why shouldn't he/she? The POTUS is just as much a citizen as you or I...
 
That has actually been done in towns where the police chief couldn't pass the qualifications. Haha. Happenend in Portland, OR, IIRC many years ago.
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The sheriff in our county sees herself as more of an administrator. She couldn't pass the certification requirements most police officers have to meet. Since she is sheriff, she is technically exempt by statute but she doesn't carry (for liability reasons I believe). She has actually been a pretty good sheriff and will be reelected in November.

http://www.fayettesheriff.com/
 
International factors

One thing I haven't seen brought up yet as part of the theory is his/her role as an international figure. How would this affect the president's negotiating credibilty with nations that are on either end of the gun rights spectrum. I would assume that the laws of the host country would apply but then again, the president does travel with small army as has been pointed out. Therefore, there is clearly a way to bypass the laws of the common man.

All in all, this is a facinating discussion.
 
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