Illinois gun owners turned out en mass today.
From the pre-march rally; Otis McDonald of McDonald V. Chicago fame giving a little speech. Also on the stage was Mary Shepard of Shepard v. Madigan fame.
Both got several standing ovations to a packed house when they spoke.
My 15 year old shaggy haired son (who DOES have a valid Firearm Owners ID card) was excused from high school for the day so he could accompany dad on what I called.. a "lesson in Civics."
(I didn't give the high school principal a choice in the matter, I was quite clear with him that the absence will be excused as we had meetings scheduled with state representatives and senators.)
I was also very excited to get moving.
As we approached the capitol on the march, the chants grew a lot louder. Someone (namely, me) yelled out a couple times "Here we come, Madigan!", and "Can you hear me NOW, Madigan?"
I was still having fun.
We were towards the front, the parade was nearly a mile long. Thousands and thousands of gun owners were present, despite freezing temps and high wind; not to mention, a severe snowstorm blanketing half the state the night before resulting in cancelled buses/etc.
At the end of the march, I planted my feet on the capitol grounds. Loudspeakers were still going full bore from the organizers "MAKE THEM HEAR YOU INSIDE! CONCEALED CARRY NOW!"
I stopped by and visited Representative Sacia after dropping off my cards at my reps. He is a profoundly cool guy.
Also paid Representative Brandon Phelps a visit to thank him personally for being such a die-hard pro-gun activist. He's gone toe to toe with Chicago anti-gunners for years now and deserves all the thanks he can get.
All in all a great day, Illinois gun owners turned out in force and PACKED the capitol building.
From the pre-march rally; Otis McDonald of McDonald V. Chicago fame giving a little speech. Also on the stage was Mary Shepard of Shepard v. Madigan fame.
Both got several standing ovations to a packed house when they spoke.
My 15 year old shaggy haired son (who DOES have a valid Firearm Owners ID card) was excused from high school for the day so he could accompany dad on what I called.. a "lesson in Civics."
(I didn't give the high school principal a choice in the matter, I was quite clear with him that the absence will be excused as we had meetings scheduled with state representatives and senators.)
I was also very excited to get moving.
As we approached the capitol on the march, the chants grew a lot louder. Someone (namely, me) yelled out a couple times "Here we come, Madigan!", and "Can you hear me NOW, Madigan?"
I was still having fun.
We were towards the front, the parade was nearly a mile long. Thousands and thousands of gun owners were present, despite freezing temps and high wind; not to mention, a severe snowstorm blanketing half the state the night before resulting in cancelled buses/etc.
At the end of the march, I planted my feet on the capitol grounds. Loudspeakers were still going full bore from the organizers "MAKE THEM HEAR YOU INSIDE! CONCEALED CARRY NOW!"
I stopped by and visited Representative Sacia after dropping off my cards at my reps. He is a profoundly cool guy.
Also paid Representative Brandon Phelps a visit to thank him personally for being such a die-hard pro-gun activist. He's gone toe to toe with Chicago anti-gunners for years now and deserves all the thanks he can get.
All in all a great day, Illinois gun owners turned out in force and PACKED the capitol building.