Page 11 - IAV Digital Magazine #493

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
11-year-old Girl Brings Loaded AR-15 To Gun Legislation Hearing In Idaho
An 11-year-old girl appeared yesterday at a legislative hear- ing in Idaho, tot- ing a loaded AR- 15 assault weapon.
Bailey Nielsen was with her grandfather, who is supporting a proposal that would allow visi- tors to Idaho who
can legally pos- sess firearms to carry a con- cealed handgun within city limits.
Charles Nielsen addressed the committee that voted to send the legislation to the full House as his granddaughter stood at his side with the weapon slung over her
right shoulder. She did not speak.
"Bailey is carry- ing a loaded AR- 15," Charles Nielsen told law- makers.
"People live in fear, terrified of that which they do not under- stand. She's been shooting
since she was 5 years old. She got her first deer with this weapon at 9. She carries it responsibly. She knows how not to put her fin- ger on the trig- ger. We live in fear in a society that is fed fear on a daily basis.
"He said Bailey was an example of someone who could responsibly handle a gun, and lawmakers should extend that to non-resi- dents.
"When they come to Idaho, they should be able to carry concealed, because they carry responsi- bly," he said. "They're law-
abiding citizens. It's the criminal we have to worry about."
There was no notable reaction among lawmak- ers to the girl car- rying the AR-15, and none asked Charlie Nielsen any questions after he testified.
Guns are not an uncommon sight in the Statehouse when gun legisla- tion is being debated, particu- larly handguns on belt holsters. Long rifles such as AR-15s also appear occasion- ally.
Some Idaho law- makers are known to carry concealed
weapons in the Statehouse. State Police patrol the Statehouse, and one and some- times two are typically present at committee meetings where emotions can become strong.
Republican Rep. Christy Zito, who is proposing the measure opposed by the three Democrats on the House State Affairs Committee, said the legislation is intended to clear up confusion about state gun laws. Backers also say it will give people the ability to defend themselves if needed.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine