(cache) Trump 'patriot' accidentally shot himself at Confederate rally by resting his flag pole on his gun

Scout Finch

Trump 'patriot' accidentally shot himself at Confederate rally by resting his flag pole on his gun

By Jen Hayden

Monday Jul 03, 2017 · 10:50 AM PDT

2017/07/03 · 10:50

GETTYSBURG, PA - JULY 1: Activists with Confederate flags gather at the Gettysburg National Military Park on July 1, 2017 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The U.S. park service issued protest permits for three groups, including Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Real 3% Risen, on the 154th anniversary of the battle. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) — "Patriots" responding to the Confederate bugle call in 2017

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Did you hear about the Civil War Part II over the weekend? Somehow, word got around among Confederate “patriot” groups that AntiFa (anti-facists) were planning to desecrate Confederate memorials like Gettysburg. Never mind there are no Confederate memorials at Gettysburg.

For their part, the Central Pennsylvania AntiFa organization made it clear they had no plans to show up and emphatically denied they ever had any intention of going to Gettysburg.

Nevertheless, the rally cry had already gone out, the Confederate bugle sounded, and so-called “patriots” heeded the call and made their way to Gettysburg to defend their great, great, great, great grandpappy’s honor. Among the “patriots” was Ben Hornberger, a Trump supporter, who accidentally shot himself while resting his flag pole on his gun at the rally of Gettysburg:

A "patriot" who brought a revolver to Gettysburg National Military Park Saturday amid rumors of desecration of memorials accidentally shot himself in the leg Saturday.

Benjamin Hornberger, 23, of Shippensburg, accidentally triggered the revolver, which was inside a leg holster, when he temporarily rested the bottom of his flag pole against the holster, according to witnesses.

Park police were nearby when the shooting occurred and officers quickly applied a tourniquet that may have saved the man's life, said Sgt. Anna Rose, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Park Police.

GETTYSBURG, PA - JULY 1: Activists gather at the Gettysburg National Military Park on July 1, 2017 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Park Service issued protest permits for three groups, including Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Real 3% Risen, on the 154th anniversary of the battle. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) — This man is defending his … something.

After police took the gun, it went off again as they were trying to unload it. Humiliation aside, Hornberger is expected to recover.

But, an accidental shooting never means the party has to end. As they say, the show must go on, so the others gathered together to pledge their "undying devotion to the cause." Watch as they bow their heads and took the pledge in unison after the emcee issued a plea for the crowd to show them some respect while they recited the pledge.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans pledge allegiance to the Confederacy in Gettysburg pic.twitter.com/Pf2tCsw4XV
Ã¢ÂÂ Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) July 1, 2017

A Huffington Post reporter at the rally interviewed attendees, which included proud members of the KKK:

“I salute the Confederate flag,” they said in unison, “with affection, reverence and undying devotion to the cause for which it stands.”

Billy Snuffer, who identified himself as the Imperial Wizard for the Rebel Brigade of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, told HuffPost that there were KKK members scattered across the battlefield to “aid law enforcement” and protect the area’s 20 or so Confederate monuments from Antifa.

“The Confederate battle flag has nothing to do with slavery,” he said, standing in the same area where 154 years ago the Confederate Army marched into town, abducting free black Americans and sending them to the South to be sold into slavery.

Absolutely nothing to do with slavery, I tell ya!

[A special tip of the to our own Kagro X for bringing this story to my attention.]

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