Today, the primary anti-gun organization in Pennsylvania decided to host a rally in the Capitol. In response, some gun owners decided to counter it. It’s still not over, and I hope that the pro-gun folks remain respectful and simply stick to some post-rally lobbying rather than trying to argue with hardcore anti-gun advocates.
Here are a few reports of what has happened so far. PAIndependent posted a photo of CeaseFire PA’s indoor rally that looks to be about 150-200 people. They also noted that the outdoor rally by gun rights folks didn’t do too shabby given the weather:
Impressive crowd at this morning’s #gunrights rally on Capitol steps, considering the wind chill is in the negatives. At least 100 here.
— PA Independent (@PAindependent) January 23, 2013
And here’s a great sign with a photo courtesy of @JonEMTP:
UPDATE: A later report says that there were about 250 pro-gun people.
Great to see many of my fellow gun owners attend. We were all very respectful- some of of us debated kindly with them, some talked with the legislators. To see that many outside in 19 degree weather (with wind chill around 5) was awesome.
I would estimate 200-300 for both sides. Of course there is a big difference- we stood outside for an hour (expecting to do it for 4 hours); we drove ourselves and hitched ride; we made our own signs; we organized this ourselves with only some extra help; we bought our one lunches. On the other hand- they didn’t stand outside at all and had a nice warm cozy area to stand; they bused people in from Philly and Pittsburgh (we saw at least 6 buses); they had printed signs (for the most part); they were organized with CeaseFire; they had boxed lunches.
Of course, that won’t be reported, but that’s how it was.