Second Amendment March seeks redress of grievances

In January 2009, Michigan based author and Second Amendment advocate, Skip Coryell received an email from a woman in Belgium describing the helplessness she and coworkers felt when a knife-wielding attacker terrorized the daycare facility where she worked. As in many European countries, victims at the facility were disarmed and at the mercy of their attacker thanks to that country's draconian gun control laws. Determined to not let things progress that far here, Coryell decided to do something about it.

"This is the beginning of a period of historic change in our nation's history and it is no time for the timid," said Coryell. "This is a time for brave men and women to stand up and be counted. We want our children to inherit the same freedom our forefathers knew. Freedom has to be protected or it will fail. We are at a crossroads. The time to act is now."

With that, Coryell began laying the groundwork for the Second Amendment March (S.A.M.), tentatively scheduled for April 19, 2010, which included networking with other gun rights groups and activists. The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, of which Coryell is a member, was one of his earliest supporters. Soon after work began, rock personality and Second Amendment champion Ted Nugent promised a "firebreathing Star Spangled Banner eruption" in support of the event.

Since then, Coryell has continued to build support for the march and announced a series of town hall meetings and smaller statewide Marches which would lead up to the event. Many supporters have joined the S.A.M. forums or signed up for their email list. Organizations interested in serving as coordinators for the town hall meetings or statewide marches can also apply on the S.A.M. website. Also available are a Twitter feed and Facebook page for the latest updated news.

There is a fire in the bellies of the activists organizing and promoting this movement, but what is the message they are trying to convey? As listed on the S.A.M. website,

The mission of the Second Amendment March is to galvanize the courage and resolve of Americans; to petition our elected officials against establishing anti-gun legislation; and to remind America that the Second Amendment is necessary to maintain our right to self defense.

It is the one right that protects all others.

We will accomplish our mission by a peaceful march in Washington DC, the United States Capitol, supported by satellite marches to State Capitols and smaller cities all across America.

The time for rhetoric is past, and now is the time to act. Everyone who loves freedom in this country and who believes that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is not some relic of the past should step together and march forward to show the anti-gun politicians that these rights are not up for grabs to be voted or signed away to fulfill their own agenda. If you're at all able, you should make plans to attend the national march, one of the statewide local events, or open your wallets and support the cause with a donation.

There are an estimated 80 million gun owners in this country, and we need to stand together and be heard. No more gun bans, no more draconian concealed carry restrictions, no more harassment by police for legally carrying a firearm, no more victim disarmament, no more infringements period. Together, we can send a clear message and begin to roll back 100+ years of gun control.

In related news, Ohioans For Concealed Carry has been selected as the state coordinator for Ohio and there will be a march in Columbus at a date to be determined. Watch the OFCC website, or sign up for Ohio Gun Owner Alerts, for more information as it becomes available.

State coordinators are responsible for setting up a statewide march prior to the DC event, and is the "go to" group for coordinating the town hall meetings, bus charters, and anything else needed at the state level. If you know someone who would be interested in coordinating for your state, contact the SAM organizers and be a part of history!