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July 11, 2008
Exercise your rights
I was walking to the courthouse to sue some people today, when I came upon a rally at the Thompson Center. It turns out there was a rally for gun rights, with various speakers and other pro-gun advocates. The object of their ire: Chicago's handgun ban, which is probably on its deathbed after the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the right to own a handgun for personal protection. Mayor Daley, of course, has vowed to keep the law in place.
I didn't stay very long, although I did get a cool sticker that says "I'm a bitter gun owner and I vote." Now, I am bitter and I do vote, but I don't own a gun. So it's sort of right. The rally got me thinking: I don't really care for guns, but I think they are a necessary evil. Criminals have guns, and a person has a right to protect himself and his family. Nevertheless, some people aren't wise with their guns, and shoot people who shouldn't be shot, or accidentally shoot themselves, or accidentally shoot their friends or family. Hell, even the vice president accidentally shoots people.
I heard one speaker long enough to talk about how gun owners are everyday people: doctors, taxi drivers, teachers, etc. They shouldn't be stigmatized.
I agree with this, but you wouldn't know it from the people who were in attendance. There were curious passersby, but most of those listening in rapt attention looked like they came off the train from Elburn. I hadn't seen that much camouflage in a long time. If the pro-gun lobby wants to make normal people feel better about owning guns, they should tell the people who show up to dress like they're going to work, not hunting... Or, er, a gun rally.
entry no. 1182
Posted at July 11, 2008 06:03 PM