BUTTE — Danielle Meeks conducted a solo protest at a busy intersection in Butte on Monday, openly carrying an AR-15 rifle and also sporting a concealed handgun.
Meeks received some support from passing drivers, and some jeers as well.
“Just some middle fingers, driving-by, talking, you know,” said Meeks.
Meeks stood at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Cobban Street waving an anti-Joe Biden flag while wearing tactical gear with the rifle in plain view and a concealed .45 caliber handgun.
“People are tired of Joe Biden’s war on guns. It ain’t the gun’s fault, it’s the people,” said Meeks.
Some business owners in the area said they have no problem with people protesting, but found the firearms disturbing.
“It’s President’s Day, he has the right to protest, if he doesn’t like the president, he has the right to do that. He shouldn’t have the gun standing alongside him, whether it’s loaded or unloaded, he shouldn’t have had the gun,” said Mr. Dog’s owner Buck Loomis.
When Meeks was asked about whether people might be a bit nervous seeing someone on the corner with this much armament, Meeks replied: “Probably, but their feelings don’t really matter to me. It’s what the law is and it’s my right. They have a right not to like it and I have a right to do what I’m doing."
Police received some complaints about Meeks, but Meeks said she wasn't threatening anyone with the guns.
“As long as they don’t violate any laws, we’ll allow them to do whatever they’re doing, but we also don’t want them to create a bunch of consternation with people,” said Butte Sheriff Ed Lester.
Montana allows people to open carry and carry concealed firearms.
Some say Meeks’ method of protest is alarming in a time of gun violence.
“We can be sensitive to his desire to keep and bear arms, which most people are, he needs to be sensitive to the feelings of people who find that a fearful situation,” said Butte resident Evan Barrett.
NOTE: regarding the use of "he" by some people in this article and video - Danielle identifies as a transgender woman, which may not have been apparent to other people interviewed.
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