When did it become ok to have a gun near the Prez?

The nutters are out nearly on a rampage. They're frothing at the mouth over imaginary threats to their right to carry military-grade weapons. So just to "show" that they are supporters of American freedom they've been showing up in droves to rallies on the healthcare reform held by President Obama, with their "freedom guns" strapped to the hip. Let me just cut to the chase and say just how fucked up this all sounds. I've never dreamed that it was appropriate to carry a weapon around the President of the United States unless you were part of the Secret Service detail or at a military function. If this was happening during Bush's time and the perpetrators had been lefties, I bet these same freedom-loving uptight assholes would have their panties up in a bunch and screaming for the lot to be hung by their toes. I don't care if I agree or don't agree with the Commander-in-chief or the Vice President, it is never cool to be "carrying" around them, that is unless you're hunting with Dick Cheney and well let's face it that's just for your own protection.