The man carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle outside an Obama event in Phoenix, AZ explains himself to local abc15.com news.

One protester who didn’t want to give his name was walking around with a rifle in full view.

“I’m exercising my right as an American in Arizona,” he said. “I’m actually totally against healthcare in this way, in this manner, stealing it from people. I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

The man also carried a hand gun on his hip and a round of ammunition in his back pocket, all completely legal.

He said he’s fighting both health care and his right to carry a firearm in public.

“I come from another state where open carry is legal, but no one does it, so police don’t really know about it, and they harass people and arrest people falsely,” he said. “In America, people have the ability to fight back and resist.”

Flashback: Chris Matthews yells at guy who brought gun to Obama event in New Hampshire…