Massive Gun Rights Rally Slated for Illinois Capitol

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Mar 03, 2010, 08:46 ET

CHICAGO, March 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The streets of Springfield will be awash in gold March 10th as thousands of law-abiding firearm owners descend on the Capitol to lobby for restoration of their rights. Organizers of the 2010 edition of Illinois Gun Owners' Lobby Day (IGOLD) predict that this year's event will set records for attendance and will further solidify bi-partisan support for gun law reform.

This year's event kicks off at 11:45 a.m. with a rally at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center, followed by a march to the Capitol where yet another rally will be held on the Lincoln Steps. From there, attendees – many of whom will be dressed in gold t-shirts and hats – will disperse to visit their Senators and Representatives and attend committee hearings. At 4:00 p.m., participants return to the Prairie Capitol Convention Center for an address by Illinois State Senator Bill Brady. The day will end with a 6:00 p.m. reception at Operating Engineers Local 965 Hall located at 3520 East Cook. Full information on the event, including transportation options, may be found at: http://igold.isra.org/

"March will prove to be a busy month for Illinois firearm owners," commented ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "We began the month in Washington, DC, to witness arguments before the Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of Chicago's handgun ban. The 2010 IGOLD event is a natural extension of the efforts to restore the rights of law-abiding Chicagoans to own the firearms of their choosing. We're confident that we'll prevail in the Supreme Court, and we're equally confident that this year's IGOLD event will be instrumental in moving legislation favorable to firearm owners."

"The focus of this year's IGOLD lobbying effort will be the passage of concealed carry," continued Pearson. "Illinois is one of only two states in the nation that denies its citizens the opportunity to effectively defend themselves and their families against murders, robbers and rapists. The ever-growing IGOLD movement will play a key role in restoring the basic right of self defense to law-abiding Illinois citizens. We will return to the statehouse year after year until concealed carry is passed. We will not rest until the good people of Illinois can feel safe while walking our streets."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of millions of law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

WEB SITE: http://www.isra.org

SOURCE Illinois State Rifle Association