As many of you are aware the new administration is looking to ban a large list of weapons. The idea of including the long guns in this year's walk is so that the people can see some of the weapons heading toward the chopping block ; ask questions about not only the laws but the weapons themselves ; and see , through the use of open chamber/open bolt indicator , that law abiding gun owners are responsible and safety conscious. Why are most people for gun control? Fear. The only people they see with guns are the bad guys on the 5:00 news. Through peacefully walking and giving people the opportunity to educate themselves people will see that the vast majority of people are not "crazy gun nuts" but people just like themselves.
There is one issue that's come up that I feel the need to address : why we have rules. This walk has been posted on several forums with a positive response from 99% of the folks who have posted. One poster , however , feels that he should be able to walk with a loaded rifle with no safety. This walk is an educational walk first and foremost. Our community has been very welcoming of our first walk. The first walk went well because the walk was well organized , got plenty of local news coverage and was conducted with safety being it's first priority. Safety isn't anything new to any gun event that I've ever been to. I've been to gun shows and several machine gun shoots with my husband and I can tell you that rules were expected and respected. This event will be no different. If you feel that you can't follow some basic safety rules then do NOT come to this walk. Our only purpose is to educate people in the hopes that our 2nd amendment rights are not infringed on and make our community feel safe with us. If you want to walk around YOUR town with a loaded rifle then knock yourself out. Trying to do so in OUR community will not be welcomed or tolerated. We have ordered a number of safety devices for those who forget theirs or don't have one and each long gun WILL have one in place before the walk begins.
One final note , all are welcome to walk who are willing to follow our simple safety rules. This means that even if you don't own a gun or aren't comfortable open carrying you are certainly still welcome to walk in support. We hope to have another nice crowd of folks this year and you are all welcome to a gathering after the gather. -aileen
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
2nd Annual Patriots' Day Walk
2nd Annual Patriots' Day Walk
When: Saturday April 18th
Where: Downtown Urbana.
Why: To celebrate Freedom and exercise "the right to keep and bear arms".
Saturday April 18th is the anniversary of Paul Revere's ride and Sunday April 19th, Patriots' Day, is the 234th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" when American Patriots stood up against the British army at the battles of Lexington and Concord and fought our initial fight for Liberty and Independence.
The British army was under orders from General Thomas Gage to confiscate arms and munitions. The Minutemen and Colonial Militia were prepared to give it to them, just not in the way they expected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots%27_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minutemen_(militia)
Last years "open carry" walk was fun and inspiring and will be expanded this year with the inclusion of long guns. All long guns will be inspected prior to walk and must be unloaded with detachable magazines removed and be equipped with open bolt / open chamber indicator flags (will be supplied for anyone who needs one.) A carry strap or sling would be useful with muzzle straight up or straight down. NO MUZZLE WAIVING....PERIOD!! All handguns will stay holstered at all times.
Any one who wishes to walk with us is welcome. Some will walk with us in solidarity unarmed. You do not need a firearm to walk.
We will be meeting behind the Urbana Municipal Building in the lot adjacent to the Fire and Police departments Between 10:00 and 10:30 AM, Saturday April 18th. The walk will take place in the downtown area and last for approximately 1 to 1- 1/2 hours.
After the walk is completed we will likely meet somewhere to eat lunch and a get together will be possible later in the day for those who wish to.
You may contact me on my cell # 937-869-8095 with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
Thomas Horch
***************
A note from Aileen: If you are planning on coming individually or with a group it would be great to let us know an estimated number of participants. Also , if anyone is interested in lodging information please leave a comment and I will add a post covering those issues. Urbana has 3 hotels and has a number of campgrounds in close range.
Also , if you would like to participate but aren't able to walk the distance we will have a small area in town where you can sit or stand. I'll have a table there with informational handouts for the curious that you can help with.
When: Saturday April 18th
Where: Downtown Urbana.
Why: To celebrate Freedom and exercise "the right to keep and bear arms".
Saturday April 18th is the anniversary of Paul Revere's ride and Sunday April 19th, Patriots' Day, is the 234th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" when American Patriots stood up against the British army at the battles of Lexington and Concord and fought our initial fight for Liberty and Independence.
The British army was under orders from General Thomas Gage to confiscate arms and munitions. The Minutemen and Colonial Militia were prepared to give it to them, just not in the way they expected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots%27_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minutemen_(militia)
Last years "open carry" walk was fun and inspiring and will be expanded this year with the inclusion of long guns. All long guns will be inspected prior to walk and must be unloaded with detachable magazines removed and be equipped with open bolt / open chamber indicator flags (will be supplied for anyone who needs one.) A carry strap or sling would be useful with muzzle straight up or straight down. NO MUZZLE WAIVING....PERIOD!! All handguns will stay holstered at all times.
Any one who wishes to walk with us is welcome. Some will walk with us in solidarity unarmed. You do not need a firearm to walk.
We will be meeting behind the Urbana Municipal Building in the lot adjacent to the Fire and Police departments Between 10:00 and 10:30 AM, Saturday April 18th. The walk will take place in the downtown area and last for approximately 1 to 1- 1/2 hours.
After the walk is completed we will likely meet somewhere to eat lunch and a get together will be possible later in the day for those who wish to.
You may contact me on my cell # 937-869-8095 with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
Thomas Horch
***************
A note from Aileen: If you are planning on coming individually or with a group it would be great to let us know an estimated number of participants. Also , if anyone is interested in lodging information please leave a comment and I will add a post covering those issues. Urbana has 3 hotels and has a number of campgrounds in close range.
Also , if you would like to participate but aren't able to walk the distance we will have a small area in town where you can sit or stand. I'll have a table there with informational handouts for the curious that you can help with.
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