Armed festivalgoers – why?

Once again the decided minority is attempting to enforce its will on the vast majority. First, the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance people got their knickers in a twist over being denied access to the Festival while being armed. Now the county commissioners are unnecessarily getting involved.

The Festival at Sandpoint has been a weapons-free zone for over 35 years. Over that 30-plus years that the Festival has been in existence the most significant problems we have consist of running out of food at some of the wonderful vendors and long lines at the restrooms.

I can’t help but wonder how many of the ISSA people regularly attended any of the shows that have been held under stars over the past decades. Would their lack of participation adversely impact the revenue stream? I feel that if armed people – other than official law enforcement personnel – attended the festival that would adversely affect the revenue stream as fewer people would attend.

The Second Amendment starts with the phrase, “A well regulated Militia.” I can’t help but wonder if all the ISSA are members of a well regulated militia. Are they in the Idaho National Guard? That qualifies as a well regulated militia. Are they serving on active duty in the armed forces of these United States? That would definitely qualify because everyone in the military has received extensive training in the use of small arms and long guns.

I think that ISSA simply wants to parade with guns to make themselves feel powerful.

Gil Beyer

Sandpoint, Idaho