People who believe guns save lives gathered in Springfield Wednesday to urge legislators to reject bills that would restrict gun ownership and approve proposals that would allow people to carry concealed firearms.
Organizers who arranged bus transportation from around the state had predicted a turnout of 10,000 for Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day, but fell considerably short of that number. It’s not clear how many gun owners attended, but the crowd that assembled at the Prairie Capital Convention Center before marching to the state Capitol filled the better part of the hall.
The crowd at the convention center cheered loudest for Otis McDonald, a Chicago man who is a plaintiff in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn that city’s handgun ban. McDonald, who received four standing ovations, told the crowd that a black Democrat isn’t the sort of person one expects to lead the fight against gun-ownership restrictions.
“The question was asked of me, ‘Are you not swimming upstream?’” McDonald told the crowd during a short speech. “My response was, ‘I’ve been swimming upstream most of my life.’ … When wrong is wrong, Democrat, Republican — whoever you are — is wrong.”
McDonald acknowledged that his fight to own a handgun isn’t popular in his neighborhood.
“Where I live at, I don’t get a lot of support,” McDonald said. “Whenever I feel weak, I come to southern Illinois.”
“Thank you!” someone in the crowd shouted.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the McDonald case earlier this month. Several speakers predicted victory and warned that politicians who don’t support the right to carry concealed firearms and other changes in law aimed at reducing restrictions on gun ownership face political defeat.
“We’re not going to go away, we’re not going to give up,” Todd Vandermyde, a National Rifle Association lobbyist, told the crowd. “There’s no compromise. There’s no in-between. You’re either with us or you’re against us.”
Kurt Kieffer, who lives about 180 miles north of Springfield in McHenry County, said he came to the capital because he believes in the Second Amendment and his right to defend himself.
“I’m pretty impressed so far,” Kieffer said as he prepared for the walk to the Capitol. “I would have liked to see more people.”
Bruce Rushton can be reached at 788-1542.
McDonald vs. Chicago
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 2 in the Chicago handgun ban case, known as McDonald vs. Chicago. A city ordinance bans possession of most handguns in Chicago. The plaintiffs contend that the 14th Amendment requires states and local governments to honor the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms.
In addition to Otis McDonald, the plaintiffs are: Adam Orlov, Colleen Lawson, David Lawson, the Second Amendment Foundation and the Illinois State Rifle Association. Defendants are the city of Chicago and village of Oak Park.
A decision is expected by summer.
Read the original article from The State Journal-Register.