Gathering at 9:30 AM on May 8, 2012
Harrisburg to Support Gun Rights in PA
The 5th Annual Pennsylvania Rally for the 2nd Amendment will be help on April 27th @10:00 am
This is a must for any 2nd amendment advocate in the capitol area of Pennsylvania. We had an excellent turnout last year. This year let’s work toward over-whelming the capitol (politely) and letting our voice be heard.
The 2nd Amendment Rally will feature an extensive list of speakers including Executive Vice-President of the NRA Wayne LaPierre. Gun Owners of America’s Larry Pratt and more. A number of prizes have been donated – including a S&W M&P22.
We will also be advocating for several firearm reforms. Including the Pennsylvania Castle Doctrine & enforcement of state preemption laws.
This year, the state capitol police department has made the firearm check-in form available as a PDF in order to facilitate processing (all firearms must be secured in the capitol building according to Commonwealth law). If you are planning to carry (and why wouldn’t you?), then please consider printing and filling out the following form. This will reduce delays and shorten the time it takes to enter the capitol.
This year I will be expanding my role of photography for the event. Last year I was merely passive. This year I will be actively photographing the event in conjunction with the event organizers.
For those who appreciated the above photo taken at last year’s rally. A number of copies should be available for auction/raffle at the White Rose Friends of the NRA Dinner (May 6th – York, PA).
Today I was in Washington D.C. at the Capitol building. I, my family and a few hundred thousand other Americans were gathered to express our displeasure with the direction our nation has been headed.
Below is a gallery of photos I took. Media may have describe the Tea Party protest as a couple of thousand gatherers. But as you can see in the photo below, that was just the number waiting in line at the port-a-pottys.
http://www.nugun.org/photos/Gallery_9_12_in_DC/

Article in the York Daily Record on the Tea Party (practically an interview with mwah)
After checking in our sidearms. We proceeded up to the rotunda, only to find it chock full of people in support of freedom, liberty and the 2nd Amendment.
There were a number of speakers from the NRA, Sisters of the Second Amendment and more. Along with a raffle of a Ruger LCP, gift certificate and an autographed copy of Holbrook’s book on the 2nd Amendment.
Photos of the rally….
After the rally, we all broke up into several groups and went to the offices of the varying state senators and representatives.
Well the Democrats must have caught wind of the rally. As they were M.I.A. the entire time. One secretary told us they were in session. But then we found out they were not. Another that they were caucusing. Another taking photos. I pretty much walked away with the opinion that they had made sure that their schedule would be busy so as to avoid us.
We did go to the offices of a couple Republicans. One had a meeting. A second, Merle Phillips, was in a meeting but would finish up soon and then he’d meet with us. I overheard them talking about needing a camera. I had my DSLR and offered to take some photos, and did so.
I asked if they had a business card so that I could email the photos. You should of seen my expression when the second man handed me his card and I realized it was John Sigler, President of the NRA. (So of course I got my picture taken too!)
Afterwards I hung out with Snowflakesinhell and and Bitter for a while. Looking forward to seeing them again soon at the NRA Annual Meeting/Gun Bloggers Bash.
I’ve posted more photos up for those who want to see more…
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UPDATED: News article on the event can be found here.
Some have asked if they could download and repost the photos from the gallery. So I’ve provided a zip file (approx. 8 mb)
Check in….
So after being stuffed with blueberry pancakes, hashbrown casserole and sausage, I headed downtown. Found some parking and walked to the capital. Now we had to go through the rear entrance where they were prepared for the larger quantity of us bearers of firearms. (It was a 2nd Amendment rally afterall.)
Took about 10 minutes to get through the initial line. We had to fill out forms with our name, contact info, firearm serial number, etc. They stated that if we wanted a receipt we had to fill out two copies. As I had both my Ruger P-345 and LCP, I had to fill out four forms. Why two sidearms? Overkill?
Well, this was the first event that I went to with the consideration and plan to do some open carrying. Normally, I view this as a risk. Open carry lets others know you are armed. And if a criminal element is around, then you are likely to be the first one they seek to take down. In this case, I felt the risk was low – being surrounded by fellow armed citizens. However, I had pretty much avowed to myself that if I ever did open carry. I would at least carry a second firearm.
After we filled out our forms about a dozen of us were led down to the basement to store our firearms in a locker until we were ready to depart.
All-in-all the process probably took around 45 minutes. But mind you, they were overwhelmed with supporters of the 2nd Amendment there for the rally.
I do want to chime in that the PA Capitol Police were police, civil, and professional. Good job guys!!!
A lot more news on the upcoming 2A-rally in PA. We’re hoping for this to be one of the larger Second Amendment rallies. So please come if you are able…
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA) posted some great and detailed info.
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In addition to the fun of meeting with your peers and standing up for your rights, the rally will feature an amazing cast of speakers:
What could be better than standing up for your rights? How about being automatically entered into a raffle for a brand new Ruger LCP just for showing up! Thanks to a generous donation, one lucky attendee will receive a certificate that can be redeemed at ACE Sporting Goods.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
You are invited to join NRA President John Sigler at a Second Amendment rally at the State Capitol scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 10 A.M. (plan on being there at 9 A.M.) in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. NRA-ILA Alert
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UPDATED: 21st was the correct date, however, it was erroneously posted as Monday when in fact it is Tuesday. My apologies, I copied/pasted for the NRA-ILA update. Just double-checked and indeed it was incorrect in the NRA email. Thanks to Becky for pointing it out.
Just found out about this rally today.
Date: April 21st
Time: 10:00am
Location: Harrisburg Capitol Rotunda