I've gotten a lot of calls about this weekend already. And between the Illinois State Rifle Association's email to members and our new issue of GunNews and our website's promotion of this Saturday's coming counter-demonstrations, plenty of people have noticed.
The media are excited, salivating over a potentially contentious "coming together" of the two sides. Oh yeah, the media will be there with bells on. So avoid wearing camo, or blaze orange. Dress nicely and bring a flag and another to share. Bring a sign or two.
Some on the other side are showing fear – "Oh my gosh! They're talking about carrying GUNS! Guns! It's not going to be safe!" Yeah, whatever Sallypants. We carry guns everyday and nobody notices. What's more, only violent bad guys have anything to worry about from our guns. And 99.44% of bad guys aggressively avoid potential victims who might fight back, much less who are armed. So look for very safe venues for these events. Yes, it will be safe enough to bring your kids! And spouses. And that's before the local police show up!
And some on our side, new to this whole idea of counter-demonstrating are nervous. It's okay.
Here's some answers to commonly asked questions.
1. Are we gonna have permits? We are not securing PERMITS. Not gonna do it. Besides, the other side has secured permits for some locations. What is our primary (scratch that, make that EXCLUSIVE) reason for no permits? Because if we get a permit, our gathering becomes a "gun free zone". We aren't down for "gun free zones" and we certainly aren't creating more of them to express our First Amendment rights. Worried about that? Read on…
2. Where are we going to rally? We are NOT going to rally.
3. If we're not going to rally, then what are we going to do? We're going to vigorously defend our civil rights to passersby (and the media) as we walk slowly down the sidewalks at the periphery of the anti-gun rallies. We'll have our flags and our signs and the people driving by will see us and our message as we *keep moving* and engage traffic with waves, smiles and our signs. "HONK for Gun Rights" would be a great message to write on bright neon backgrounds.
4. What if they have a march that will approach on the same sidewalk? Well, if we're there first, then they can walk around us down one side of the sidewalk. Or, if they are too intimidated to do that, they can march in the street. Kill 'em with kindness is the motto for the day. Remember, we're not trying to convince die-hard gun grabbers of the folly of their endeavor. We're there to let the media and the general public know that gun owners aren't going to silently sit back and let the Left in America March for our Guns.
5. Is this legal? Well, yeah! We're the good guys. We don't break the laws! So long as you stay on the sidewalk, and keep moving and not arguing or heckling with the anti-gunners, you'll be a-okay with the local police and local laws. Your mere presence will serve as a heaping serving of microaggression for some on the other side. They should suck it up and adult a little. Yes, some special snowflakes may meltdown, but that's a "THEM" problem, not a you problem.
6. And the most commonly asked first question: Can we carry? So long as you're on the sidewalk, and not stepping into a public park or other prohibited property, and not loitering in the same place (no, don't set up a lawn chair on the sidewalk, silly), you're good to go. As counter-demonstrators, we are NOT covered by the "gun free zone" created by the anti-gun rally's protest permit. In short, stay on the sidewalk or the parkway between the street and the sidewalk and keep moving and you're golden.
7. Is is going to be dangerous? No. There will be police there. And if you're licensed, you may carry under the provisions of Illinois' CCW law. Others certainly will be. Expect everyone on our side to be on very good behavior. Expect much the same – with the exception of middle fingers and a few obscenties – from the other side. Nobody's going to come with baseball bats and black masks. Bullies don't come for a fair fight and your .38 will trump their sticks and brass knucks every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Helpful hints:
Retailers such as Walmart, Menards, Lowes, etc. have "foam board" which makes an excellent backing for your message. Some even have neon colors on one side. Buy a MAGNUM sized sharpie marker and create a short message. Leave the crayons for the other side to use for their messaging.
Come early and even if you're the first there, just walk slowly up and down the sidewalk where you expect the other side to meet. Ideally, we'll put ourselves between passersby on the street and the anti-gun rallies, effectively obscuring their message to the undecideds and the uniformed folks driving past. Wave, smile and embrace your cause. Stake out that real estate if possible before the other side arrives en masse.
Of course, do as the police ask with a pleasant smile and courteous demeanor. If the police are there, don't be surprised if the cops stand with their backs to us while facing the anti-gunners. Cops know who they have to worry about and who has their backs if and when things go sideways.
Here are some sign slogan suggestions:
GUNS SAVE LIFE (sorry, I had to put that one first.)
MORE GUNS, LESS CRIME
ARMED BLACKS DON'T GET OPPRESSED
ARMED GAYS DON'T GET BASHED
GOOD GUYS WITH GUNS SAVE LIVES
GUNS PROTECT CHILDREN
GUNS PROTECT FAMILIES
OLD ENOUGH TO JOIN THE ARMY
OLD ENOUGH TO BUY A RIFLE
GUN CONTROL IS RACIST
FIGHT CRIME, SHOOT BACK
BAN THE CRIMINALS, NOT OUR GUNS
GUN CONTROL IS SEXIST
GUN CONTROL LEADS TO TYRANNY
GUNS ARE SAFE AND FUN
DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. IT'S THE WEED TALKING. (With a giant arrow pointing towards the anti-gunners. This one really pisses off the left.)
KISS MY BRASS, SNOWFLAKES.
GUNS = FREEDOM
GUNS ARE TOOLS
LIBERALS FOR GUN RIGHTS
PROGRESS TOWARDS FREEDOM, NOT GUN CONTROL
GUN CONTROL IS RACISM
SUPPORT FREEDOM, NOT TYRANNY
GUN VIOLENCE = GANG VIOLENCE
"GUN VIOLENCE" REALLY MEANS GANG VIOLENCE.
CRIMINALS PREFER UNARMED VICTIMS
GUN CONTROL DISARMS VICTIMS, NOT CRIMINALS
BREATHE EASY. DON'T BREAK THE LAW!
GUNS DETER THUGS
Carry on. Share this with your friends, family and everyone in your circle of influence. Let's go have fun Saturday for a just and noble cause!
I just wanted to reiterate what John has posted about the attire and your behavior. Don't give the media or the other side the opportunity to stereotype us. Avoid the cammo and the blaze orange. You don't have to be in your Sunday best, but look presentable. GSL, ISRA, NRA attire is all good. A shirt with the American Flag is good. Again, don't promote the stereotype. Having been at these counter protests before, the media will pick ou the worst dressed person who is maybe having a bad hair day and came straight from work, etc. to try and interview. If you see someone struggling with this, step in and help. Be polite. Be kind. Do NOT let the other side engage you in a shouting match. No giving the middle finger to anyone. 🙂 The protesters will try and get right in your face and yell, call you a murderer, etc. agian, don't engage.
Lastly, check and make sure you know where you are. Is the sidewalk in the public park? If so, you can't carry there. Be aware of your surroundings and check things in advance if you can. This is a HUGE opportunity for postive press for gun owners. Keep it clean, keep it fun, and keep moving.
Personally, I don't think the "kiss my brass" poster serves our cause very well.
Is a sidewalk between the street and the public park considered to be in the park? Why Douglass Park?
Here's a great resource for making signs. It's a website called blockposters (add "www" and ".com" to get there). It lets you upload an image and then print it across multiple sheets of paper to make a sign about as large as you want. I've been using Microsoft Paint and clip art from image searches to design and print some pretty good pro-gun signs. You'll need to glue the sheets onto foam board or poster board but the results are very professional looking.
Also, does anyone have any idea if the "March for Our Guns" in Springfield is going to be the largest? I'm closest to Champaign so I was thinking of hitting up Bloomington, then Champaign, but if the anti-gunners are going to focus their efforts on the capital I'd rather be there.
See you on Saturday!
Another great free or real inexpensive backer or poster board now that the political season is here is old yard signs from an anti-gun politician, get some enamel paint, paint over the original sign white or whatever color you want and write or paint your message, I have done it with several old yard signs. Another is cardboard boxes, I used a 40" television box for one, painted it white and wrote message in red and blue acrylic sign paints, red, white and blue signs stand out and get noticed.
Hope to be there Saturday (Champaign) weather not going to be very good but will try to be there.
Weather forecast calls for cold and rainy. I predict low turnout on all sides.
Been listening to a talk show ( liberty tree) that favors the Patriots/militia. They have spent several minutes during the last few shows, wednesday and thursday discussing infiltrating the anti-gun protests as an exercise in intelligence gathering.
They are telling patriots, gun owners and militia to blend in with the anti-gunners.
So i guess if you see some person wearing a pink hat or carrying an anti-trump sign they could be some one gathering intelligence.
Dont know any more than what was talked about during the show….. Just seems interesting
GENTLEMEN, DON'T KID YOURSEL'S ON CARRYING, READ THIS PLEASE. http://www.downers.us/public/docs/permits/2018TempUsePermitApplication.pdf
Went to the Chicago protest. Did not see any other pro gun people.