General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Men With Loaded Rifles Intimidate Moms Gathered At Indiana Gun Safety Rally--Think Progress [View all]napoleon_in_rags
(3,991 posts)I believe the policy is "never give in to the demands of a terrorist". The reason for the policy is that if the demands of a terrorist are met, it will send a message to all to act like terrorists to achieve their aims, thereby effectively multiplying the amount of terrorist acts.
A similar principle applies here to some extent, it really applied during the Obamacare town halls where they showed up with guns: Unless you want constituents pointing guns at your head all the time, don't side with the people who show up with guns. Therefore the "we have guns" message almost infallibly works against those who use it. Here that message is muted because the debate is actually about guns, so the counter protesters having guns isn't as far out as it was with the town hall. But its the same principle does apply. The more documented their intimidation is, the more the become a counter force to their own political aims.