You might have heard about a gun rights rally in Springfield at the Capitol complex this weekend. Yeah, the one that the State Journal-Register suggested was an "Open Carry Rally" in a front-page story today. Here's a pro-tip: Out of an abundance of caution, AVOID IT!
People promoting the rally have been hounding me about the April 14th event scheduled for all afternoon Saturday. They want – really badly – Guns Save Life to put our name behind it and encourage our members to attend. I noted that on a Saturday afternoon, exactly nobody is going to be at the Capitol Building save maintenance workers and maybe an odd tourist-type or two. The place is like a ghost town on the weekends.
They insisted. I ignored them.
Then local newspaper, the State Journal-Register, has a front page story about the possibility of open carry at said rally. I've talked with David Clayton, one of the organizers, and believe he found himself down a side road from an AP reporter… and AP turned this rally (and the possibility that some people in some places might bring guns to it) into a something it's not.
In talking with Mr. Clayton, I believe the people who came up with this nationwide rally idea are pretty new to advocacy. Mr. Clayton is relatively young and full of passion and energy. I like that. I've been there myself.
And, of course, we all make mistakes.
Yes, the National Constitutional Coalition of Patriotic Americans is putting on this event. They have no history because they are new. Of course, I found earlier that they have a brand new website.
According to their Facebook page, they describe themselves as "a coalition of various Patriot groups who have come together to unify our ideals and diligently work together to uphold the Constitution."
And now, they have managed to gain front-page news coverage here in Illinois, suggesting that people will bring their long guns to make a statement. And apparently a similar story ran in plenty of other states as well.
As if we – the law-abiding good guys – are going to bring long-guns to the State Capitol complex as part of a rally in Illinois? Please, brother.
Here's the first part of the story in the Springfield State Journal-Register.
Organizers are encouraging gun rights supporters to bring unloaded rifles to rallies at state capitols across the U.S. this weekend, pushing back against a wave of student-led gun violence protests that some see as a threat to the Second Amendment.
Illinois officials, however, are reminding people coming to the planned rally in Springfield on Saturday that it is illegal to carry firearms — loaded or unloaded — out in the open in the state.
“Illinois is not an open-carry state,” said Beth Kaufman, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, which oversees the Capitol Complex. ”… They’ve been advised to not bring firearms to the event.”
A group called the National Constitutional Coalition of Patriotic Americans is spreading word of the gun-rights gatherings on social media. Organizers have permits for rallies Saturday outside 45 statehouses, including Illinois, said David Clayton of West Virginia, one of the coalition’s founders.
The group’s event at the Illinois Capitol is set for 1-5 p.m. Saturday near the Abraham Lincoln statue at Second Street and Capitol Avenue.
While I don't believe or suspect the organizers are agent provocateurs, I still recommend prudence and caution. In Illinois, I'd recommend skipping this event. Of course, you can do whatever you want with your time and energy. Remember, the (IL) Capitol grounds is a gun-free zone for those with CCWs. And don't even think of bringing a long gun. Or an empty rifle case.
Carry on…
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