Big Impact at Michigan's Open Carry Pro 2nd Amendment Assembly

Activist Post

Around 150 people battled below freezing temps, gusty winds, snowy vision, and icy roads to get to the Lansing, Michigan capitol pro second amendment march on Friday morning, February 8th. At one point, it was thought that almost 200 gathered, standing for hours in below 25 degree temps and constant wind, most with their favorite firearms attached and signs with pro-liberty messages.

This gathering held their 2nd amendment rights dear, and reiterated that inalienable right by peaceful demonstration. It didn’t feel like a protest – just a firm standing. It did feel weird for them to openly carry semi-automatic rifles and side-Glocks on capitol grounds in broad daylight, as many of us don’t exercise open-carry which is perfectly legal in Michigan.

Phillip Hofmeister, president of Michigan Open Carry and Ryan from Senator Green’s office spoke into a megaphone as well as activists in an open forum including veterans, a marine marksman, single moms, and those who don’t own or even wish to own firearms.

Police stood peacefully by – a capital facility manager gave us a warm welcome and told us we could warm up inside, that there was coffee and snacks and — get this — firearms allowed — but absolutely no signs inside. It’s a non-federal building so firearms are allowed but signs are not, reportedly because of a fear of damage to paintings in the capitol.

More on the assembly and pictures follow:

As people filed in, they received honks of support and thumbs ups from snow blowers and groups of people near capitol grounds. Some ladies told us, “I’m just getting started [with firearms].” Positive responses all around including inside the capitol.

The only perceived negative response I detected came from a patron who spoke to a security guard inside. The friendly guard had told a group, “You can’t go in here with that.” He was referring to a bullhorn, not the 9 Millimeter attached to Paula A.’s leg. A touring patron with a sour face said to the guard, “Why are firearms allowed in here? But, you’re telling me that signs aren’t allowed? What kind of sense does that make. It doesn’t make any sense.” The guard replied, “I’m sorry about that, Sir. You can talk to [your representatives] about that.”

Panorama with some overlaps

Folks filing in

Signs – WWJD – What Would Jefferson Do?

Some speakers described below

Bethany (Pictured Left) is a single mom with an adult disabled daughter and 60-year-old live-in mom – she knows that she has to protect herself and the other women in the home because the police in her town, whom she loves, might not make it within 11 minutes, try as they might. She, like many who spoke, used to be anti-gun.

Rhonda (Second-to-Left) doesn’t own or believe in owning guns but says she will take up arms to protect the 2nd amendment.

Jonathan (Second-to-Right) garnered cheers of support when he said he will never register his firearms, he will not comply, will never bend the knee.

Most everyone agreed that the responsibility of immediate protection falls on the individual – protect first, then dial. It is rather burdensome to think of police as personal bodyguards, supposed to be there the very second a crime is developing. The far-right gentleman above believes in firearms to protect and empower women on college campuses from sexual victimization. There were a lot of echoed sentiments for upholding personal defense for women.

But it wasn’t just about self-defense – the creeping, sweeping gun ban bills are just the icing on burgeoning tyranny. With the second amendment gone, how would the other amendments be protected? Why is it that before every incidence of genocide and democide, guns are banned, registered and then confiscated first? That question should be a rhetorical one, but to a vast many it’s a question that goes unfinished, unanswered.

As some of the speakers pointed out — many of them veterans — veterans are being painted as mentally ill and PTSD – gun confiscation and lock-ups follow. The national lexicon is marred as DHS has purchased millions of rounds of ammo and semi-automatics that they call “personal defense,” but for us the term is “assault weapons.” One speaker suggested that “It’s time we take back the dialogue.” And those who prepare their family’s future protection or uphold the Constitution are painted as domestic terrorists. Rights to protect oneself are the last bastion of defense against tyranny. A beacon of hope instead of a boot stomping on a human face forever.

“Assault flag”

Bottom-line – the people overcame major odds to assemble with passion in their hearts to protect their rights and yours. It was nice to see that the M-word — militia — and Patriot are no longer dirty, hushed words as people stand tall and share truth in a calm collected manner. “We are the militia,” a voluntaryist woman who came from New Hampshire said. Everyone was safe, respectful and were glad to be seen as the peaceful, normal law-abiding citizens that they are.

More capitol assemblies are planned in the future including a much larger one with a march on March 20th.

Special thanks to Marty L. and Paula A. for taking and providing pictures!

Read other articles by Heather Callaghan Here