IGOLD 2014

Snidely Whiplash

I took a vacation day from work and attended the Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day in Springfield, IL, today.<br />
http://igold.isra.org/<br />
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I chose to get there via the $25 ISRA-provided bus ride from Rockford, which left the Cherryvale Mall a little after 7 am. It was much pleasanter than driving down by myself in the blowing snow (on the way to Rockford I passed a couple of vehicles on I-90 that had left the road for nearby fields, and one that was flipped over on the passenger side in the left south-bound lane).<br />
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We stopped for a buffet lunch at a Chinese restaurant before arriving at the Prairie Capital Convention Center for a rally and legislative briefing (translation - the Republican candidates for Governor each promoted themselves and politely dissed the others). NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde noted the initial victory doesn't mean Illinois gun owners can relax, let their guard down, or slack off. He pointed out there is still a lot of work to be done - reducing the number of prohibited carry locations, enabling reciprocity with other states, reducing the license fees and required training.<br />
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We then marched to the Capitol building and after a brief rally outside, entered the Capitol complex and started distributing the preprinted "Please support pro-CCW bills/oppose anti-CCW bills" cards to various legislators. Not being a FIB resident of the Land of Lincoln, I added a little note to mine asking the recipient to support allowing residents of other states besides Hawaii to apply for non-resident concealed carry permits. I left one for John Cullerton and one for Michael Madigan. They must be upstanding pro-gun politicians as we were given cards with their names preprinted on them. <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/point.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':point:' /> They also asked us to visit Dan Kotowski's office - something to do with him wanting to help people get closer to God (prohibiting ccw in church) - which makes me wonder if a posse cult could sue on the grounds of religious discrimination.<br />
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I came across Todd Vandermyde while waiting for the 3:00 pm Rotunda Rally and asked him about the pending bills affecting CCW, including my favorites:<br />
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HB5725 CONCEALED CARRY - NONRESIDENT<br />
http://ilga.gov/legi...99&SessionID=85<br />
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HB3650 CONCEALED CARRY-RECIPROCITY<br />
http://www.ilga.gov/...60&SessionID=85<br />
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HB4619 CONCEALED CARRY-FEES<br />
http://www.ilga.gov/...sionID=85&GA=98<br />
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and everyone's favorite:<br />
SB3010 CONCEALED CARRY-DOT REST AREA<br />
http://www.ilga.gov/...83&SessionID=85<br />
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He said nothing will happen with any pending CCW legislation until at least after the primary elections.<br />
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If you know someone who doesn't vote, now is the time to start ragging on them non-stop until election day to go vote for pro-gun politicians.<br />
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At 3:00pm, we had a final rally in the Capitol Rotunda, and following some last minute unintelligible (from the 3rd floor - there was too much reverberation off the marble to understand the speakers) speeches, we spent a minute chanting: "A gun-free zone is a killing zone!" and then departed for our buses and the ride home.<br />
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I only found one mention of today's rally on the various Rockford TV web sites. WREX-TV had this:<br />
http://www.wrex.com/...-in-springfield<br />
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The Rockford Register Star newspaper web site had this article:<br />
http://www.rrstar.co...309566/0/SEARCH<br />
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Please keep IGOLD in mind for next year. As a Wisconsin resident I have a dog in this fight as I don't want to have to stop in Beloit to unload every time I travel south of the border. I'd really like my Wisconsin CCW permit recognized by Illinois and my brother's, sister's, and brother-in-law's Missouri CCW permits to be honored by Illinois as well. I'd settle for having to get an Illinois non-resident permit. If you're an Illinois gun owner, you need to get involved and keep voting and fighting to expand your rights until even the Chicago and Cook County anti-gunners are thoroughly pussy-whipped.<br />
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<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/goodguy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':goodguy:' /><br />
Snidely Whiplash

Wrangler Rich

Thanks for attending, Snide.<br />
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I was planning on being there, but was busy with my brother. He had 2 stents & a balloon job, and thank God he is doing well.<br />
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WR

Johnny Popper

Snidely<br />
Thanks for taking the trip to Springfield. Hope you had good time protesting. I hope you kept your CCW in your pocket........<br />
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Rich,<br />
Passingalong my good wishes to you and your family. Glad your brother is doing better.<br />
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JP