Police say that a man who brought an assault rifle to a protest against President Barack Obama wasn’t breaking any laws.

Police say that a man who brought an assault rifle to a protest against President Barack Obama wasn’t breaking any laws.

The unidentified man, seen with an assault rifle hanging from his right arm, was among demonstrators who stood outside as the president spoke to veterans in Phoenix on Monday. CNN.com reports that he was of about 12 people who authorities were watching closely during the peaceful protest.

"It was a group interested in exercising the right to bear arms," Sgt. Andy Hill told. 

Some people near the rally were bothered by the fact that the protestor brought a weapon, but authorities had to tell them the man was within his rights. Arizona only requires a permit if you’re going to carry a concealed weapon, but there is law about assault rifles.

"I come from another state where 'open carry' is legal, but no one does it, so the police don't really know about it and they harass people, arrest people falsely," the demonstrator told KNVX. "I think that people need to get out and do it more so that they get kind of conditioned to it."

This is the second time in as many weeks that someone has shown up to a presidential protest with a gun. Last week in New Hampshire, another man demonstrated with a gun holstered on his leg.

A rep for the Secret Service said that he was aware of both instances, but assured CNN reporters that neither man had endangered the safety of others.

-- Sonya Eskridge

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