Hundreds of gun owners traveled to the Michigan capitol building in Lansing last week to advocate for their right to keep and bear arms and discourage the legislature from passing a ban on carrying firearms on Capitol grounds.
The event was hosted by several pro-gun groups from Michigan, including Second Amendment March and Michigan Open Carry. Reports of attendance varied from “dozens” to “thousands,” but a review of the images from the event shows at least several hundred people, many of whom are openly carrying firearms.
“Whether you decide to open carry or concealed carry, that is your choice. It is not my job to make that decision for you,” said Tom Lambert, former president of Michigan Open Carry, to the crowd before pointing back to the Capitol building. “It is not their job to make that decision for you either.”
The rally comes as a Michigan legislative committee determines whether firearms will be banned from the capitol grounds.
Just this week, the Michigan State Capitol Commission voted down two such proposals. One, which would have completely banned firearms on capitol grounds, was defeated 2-4. The other would have only barred openly carried firearms in the capitol building, and it was defeated on a 3-3 split decision.
However, Commission Chair Gary Randall indicated that he still plans to work with Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield to “try to find common ground,” according to MLive.
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The rally attracted a variety of groups, including militias and members of the Proud Boys. Black gun owners also attended to advocate for more diversity in the gun rights movement.
Phil Robinson, a member of the Michigan Liberty Militia, told MLive that his group marched with Black Lives Matter protesters in Grand Rapids and Hastings following George Floyd’s death. He told the outlet that gun rights are for people of every color and background.
“Everyone should be out here exercising their rights,” he said. “Everybody! I encourage it.”
The debate over openly carried firearms in the Michigan capitol was sparked when armed citizens entered the Michigan capitol building earlier this year to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 lockdown orders. Some armed citizens demanded to enter the House chamber while others went to the Senate gallery to watch the proceedings.
The incident was deeply troubling to Senate Democrats, apparently.
“It’s been four months since armed gunmen stood above elected officials while they worked,” Michigan Senate Democrats said via Twitter this week. “Legislators, staff, children & teachers shouldn’t have to fear guns in the Capitol.”
Senate Democrat Danya Polehanki called for banning firearms on Capitol grounds and said she does not “relish” facing “more armed men in the senate gallery.”
While I did not relish the thought of facing more armed men in the senate gallery on Thursday, we can’t keep canceling session ahead of these armed events. We were elected to work for our constituents, and this is preventing us from doing that. Ban guns from the Capitol now. 2/2
— Senator Dayna Polehanki (@SenPolehanki) September 15, 2020
Everytown also got in on the action with a little good-old-fashioned fearmonger and fundraising. They sent the text below to their supporters:
SEE ALSO: WATCH: Michigan Man Jumps Into Retention Pond to Save Guns from Sinking Car
Gun owners argued that citizens who want to visit their elected representatives in the Capitol building should be especially protected from infringements on Second Amendment rights.
“This is my house,” Robinson told The Detroit News, gesturing toward the Capitol building. “I make the rules here, not them … We have every right to be in that building with our guns.”
Another attendee named Douglas Fell walked around the ground floor of the Capitol during the rally while carrying an AR-15.
When a reporter asked him why guns should be allowed in the Capitol, he gestured toward a Michigan State Police trooper who had walked by.
“He’s doing it,” Fell said. “Why can he and I can’t?”
Unlike other high-profile protests in recent weeks, the pro-gun protest in Lansing took place without incident.
Some scenes from the Second Amendment March in Lansing today: pic.twitter.com/PSSRrStV70
— Craig Mauger (@CraigDMauger) September 17, 2020
Where in the 2nd amendment does it give government to ban where they can or cannot be carried? It says “Shall not be infringed” period. Maybe we should start infringing on the rights that the second amendment protects like their 1st and maybe the 4th. I bet they would have a lot to say about how we are violating their rights. Hypocrites. Defund the police if you want. Us hicks with our god given right will cling to our god, guns and religion and survive and prosper while you turn your cities into “chaz”.
F**k everytown and the communist that run it!
Except for the democrat presidential candidate who has literally said that all “assault weapons” and “high capacity” magazines should be banned. Otherwise, you are right, no one is saying anyone wants to take away any guns.
what’s to defend? nobody is taking their guns. nobody is talking about taking their guns – except gun lovers. large groups of fake soldier wanabees can show up, fully armed, to state capital buildings and not be pepper-sprayed or shot and killed so i ask again – what is it these folks are defending?
Were the patriots at concord “ fake soldier boys” too? I mean the Brits should have just shot and killed them all right?
How many times do they literally need to say “we’re coming for your guns” Jesus some of you people are dense…
Well, Biden said that military style rifles have no place for the public to own. Biden said he was putting Beto O’Rourke in charge as his gun czar. I believe Beto said and I quote “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47s” So get a fucking TV and watch the news. Stop being an ignorant jackass.
Does it Hurt to be so Stupid?
Obiden has said many times that he will appoint Frances O’Rourke to take our guns
and that all AR’s will be outlawed.
Why do Liberals/Democrats hate Americans, the Homeless and Vets…And Gun Owners ?!
I’m not sure that it’s hate as much as it is them fearing us. The Leftists know that as long as we are armed, they can’t try to push their B.S. down our collective throats. I once had a guy I knew ask me what I was so afraid of when he found out I sleep with a 1911 under my pillow. I told him as long as it’s there, not a damn thing!!
I’d be willing to bet that a lot of the people attending were once SOLDIERS. ROCK OF THE MARNE. And maybe turn on a TV or radio. Any idea why they are not being peppered sprayed & shot at ? lol
And next-to-nothing coverage by the MSM because this was clearly not what they were hoping for. This event was instead a model example of how Americans should exercise their Constitutional right of peaceful assembly in defense of another Constitutional right–one that is being undermined at every opportunity by those who wish to impose an inherently tyrannical ideology upon us.
Where was tough guys Antifa, or BLM rioter’s… Calling on the killing white American’s?
We can now add “Gun Derangement Syndrome” to the list of Dummycrat psychopathies
is it simply impossible for right wingers to communicate like adults? you sound like a school child with that juvenile level name calling.
We understand, Jimmy. You want so badly to be intelligent. But, unfortunately, you simply weren’t gifted with good genetics. Perhaps you should strive to improve upon your own writing skills and style before attacking others.
This is your comment from above, verbatim. It’s sad, Jimmy.
“what’s to defend? nobody is taking their guns. nobody is talking about taking their guns – except gun lovers. large groups of fake soldier wanabees can show up, fully armed, to state capital buildings and not be pepper-sprayed or shot and killed so i ask again – what is it these folks are defending?”
I see Americans expressing their rights. AND THERE WAS NO VIOLENCE ! Totally opposite of the control-freak DEMONocrats (otherwise known as “antifa”). What the gun-carrying people were saying is: WE ARE WATCHING. If the demons were sweating, it’s because they have a guilty conscience ! Too bad. They work for us- if you can call that ‘work’.