Illinois Firearm Rights Rally a Major Success

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Mar 08, 2012, 11:50 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is the text of a statement released today by Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) Executive Director, Richard Pearson:

"On behalf of the ISRA and the other co-sponsors of Wednesday's Illinois Gun Owners' Lobby Day (IGOLD), I have to say that we couldn't be happier with the results of our efforts. Our preliminary figures indicate that in excess of 7,500 law-abiding firearm owners flooded the capitol to respectfully lobby their representatives for the restoration of their firearm rights. I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from legislators, capitol staff, and law-enforcement officers regarding the manner in which our people conducted themselves during their visit to Springfield. This praise speaks volumes of just how seriously the firearm owners of this state take this campaign to restore their rights."

"The purpose of this year's rally was threefold. First and foremost, we wanted to remind legislators that the state's lawful firearm owners are sick and tired of the Chicago/Cook County Machine using us as scapegoats for the Machine's inability to control crime and violence within its borders. Second, we wanted to make it clear that we will not tolerate the passage of punitive gun control schemes such as Mayor Emanuel's gun registration and ammunition tax proposals. Third, we wanted to reiterate out expectation that the General Assembly bring Illinois in line with the 49 other states by passing legislation to allow law-abiding citizens to carry defensive firearms for the purpose of protecting themselves and their families from violent criminals. Based on what I witnessed Wednesday, we accomplished our mission on all three counts."

"In short, IGOLD 2012 was a great success – an effort of which the organizers should be proud. We are already planning IGOLD 2013, and expect it to be bigger and more effective than ever. In the mean time, our plans call for us to adapt the IGOLD process to effecting change at the township and precinct level of both major political parties."

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