Gun Rally draws large crowd of supporters protecting right to bear arms
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LEWISTON, ID - Gun enthusiast were locked and loaded with their Second Amendment rights and grass root patriotism at the root of a gun rights rally last weekend in Lewiston.
"The laws were made to protect people, so we can protect ourselves if we have an intruder come into our home," said Stan Eccles.
Close to 500 people were in attendance to rally around what they see as a new wave of government infringement on their right to bear arms.
"The government will inch by inch take all the weapons," said Dianne Capps of the WA. State Tea Party.
"Why are we looking at unconstitutional laws when we have to go spend thousands of dollars litigating in the courts when we could be spending that money in education," said County Commissioner Jim Chmelik.
Many of the rally-goers are closely following proposed legislation that would place new restrictions on certain types of guns sold and on magazine size. But gun enthusiasts say it doesn't matter the size of the magazine, rather it comes down to the responsibility of the owner.
"I don't care whether it's a 30-round magazine or a ten-round magazine, you have the right to bear arms," said Chmelik.
"Those that are responsible with their guns, they'll take care of them the way they should," said Maureen Lombard. "They wouldn't be out killing people."
This topic has been in the spotlight since the tragic Sandy Hook School shootings, which left 26 dead. Many rally supporters stand by what the NRA has previously stated; that it's the no-weapons policies at schools that put children's lives at risk.
"We need to have someone of authority carrying weapons in the school to protect people that want to come in and assault our children," said Diane Capps.
"Take an example at Colorado in the movie theatre, it was a gun free zone," said Chmelik.
Many at the rally believe government intrusion on their rights will leave a bullet-sized hole in their personal freedom.
"The laws were made to protect people, so we can protect ourselves if we have an intruder come into our home," said Stan Eccles.
Close to 500 people were in attendance to rally around what they see as a new wave of government infringement on their right to bear arms.
"The government will inch by inch take all the weapons," said Dianne Capps of the WA. State Tea Party.
"Why are we looking at unconstitutional laws when we have to go spend thousands of dollars litigating in the courts when we could be spending that money in education," said County Commissioner Jim Chmelik.
Many of the rally-goers are closely following proposed legislation that would place new restrictions on certain types of guns sold and on magazine size. But gun enthusiasts say it doesn't matter the size of the magazine, rather it comes down to the responsibility of the owner.
"I don't care whether it's a 30-round magazine or a ten-round magazine, you have the right to bear arms," said Chmelik.
"Those that are responsible with their guns, they'll take care of them the way they should," said Maureen Lombard. "They wouldn't be out killing people."
This topic has been in the spotlight since the tragic Sandy Hook School shootings, which left 26 dead. Many rally supporters stand by what the NRA has previously stated; that it's the no-weapons policies at schools that put children's lives at risk.
"We need to have someone of authority carrying weapons in the school to protect people that want to come in and assault our children," said Diane Capps.
"Take an example at Colorado in the movie theatre, it was a gun free zone," said Chmelik.
Many at the rally believe government intrusion on their rights will leave a bullet-sized hole in their personal freedom.
