Monday, February 9, 2009

2nd Amendment March

Just came across this from the Up North Journal:

Michigan Takes Lead in Organizing National Gun Rights Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 4, 2009
The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (www.mcrgo.org), the largest state-based firearms advocacy group in America, is laying the groundwork for a national rally in Washington D.C. next spring. The Million Gun Owner March will demonstrate broad national support for the recognition--and preservation--of the Second Amendment.

"In the wake of last spring's D.C. vs. Heller U.S. Supreme Court decision which protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for private use and the renewed importance placed on the issue of gun rights across the country, the time is ideal for this historic gathering of gun owners at our national and state capitols," stated State Senator Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt), a member of the MCRGO Board of Directors.

"Our lawmakers need to understand that America's gun owners come from all races, genders, political viewpoints and economic backgrounds," added Chuck Perricone, MCRGO's Executive Director.

The Million Gun Owner March is the brainchild of Michigan based author and Second Amendment advocate, Skip Coryell (http://www.whitefeatherpress.com/). Mr. Coryell recognized the need to speak up after receiving an e-mail from a distraught woman in Belgium who related the story of a knife attack at a daycare facility in that country following a draconian gun ban that left staff helpless. Many gun owners have expressed fears in recent months that legislation to restrict access to firearms for personal defense may soon be introduced in Congress and state legislatures."

This is the beginning of a period of historic change in our nation's history and it is no time for the timid. This is a time for brave men and women to stand up and be counted. We want our children to inherit the same freedom our forefathers know. Freedom has to be protected or it will fail. We are at a crossroads. The time to act is now," explained Mr. Coryell.

Rock-n-roll legend and Second Amendment activist Ted Nugent reinforced MCRGO's efforts by adding his enthusiastic support for the march: "A Million Gun Owner March on Washington DC in the Spring of 2010 is indeed building much steam across the hinterland. All pro-Second amendment groups must be on board and perfectly coordinated. I would be proud to rally, promote, lead and speak to whatever degree the people so honor me with."

MCRGO is building partnerships with a variety of organizations around the country to plan the Million Gun Owner March in Washington for the spring of 2010. The day long rally will occur simultaneously with events at state capitols all over the United States and in many local communities. People interested in receiving more information about the event and volunteering to be a local organizer can register at http://www.milliongunownermarch.com/ beginning Friday, February 6, 2009. Question regarding the event can be directed to Skip Coryell at skip@milliongunownermarch.com.

"Michigan is enthusiastic about taking the lead role in organizing this march," said State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch), the First Vice Chair of MCRGO. "We have already seen an outpouring of community interest and support for this effort from churches to union halls in every corner of our state. I encourage Michigan gun owners to help make history by offering their help for the Million Gun Owner March."

UPDATE Feb 9, 2009 -- by Skip Coryell
We've been getting lots of feedback on our name “Million Gun Owner March” and we are listening to you and taking your comments and suggestions seriously. Your input is important to us. After all, this is a movement of the people; it doesn't belong to us. It moves and breathes and gets its being from “We the People” who give it life and make it live.

Many of you have expressed concern that the name “Million Gun Owner March” implies that people will be marching on Washington DC fully armed and ready to launch an armed takeover. At first I was skeptical, but then I did an internet search and started reading what people were saying across the other forums, and there is merit to what you're saying. People aren't reading it as “Million Gun Owner March” but as “Million Gun March”.

Also, we are getting a lot of email from people who don't own guns, but still want to support us. They believe in the Second Amendment, but just choose, for a myriad of reasons, not to own them. We respect that and want them to feel welcome here. We need as much support as we can get if we're going to make this march work.

Because of this, we have decided to change our name to “Second Amendment March”. We are still early in this process, so if we're going to change, then now is the time.

Once again, thanks for your input and your support, and welcome to the “Second Amendment March”.

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