Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day - Mar 11

Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day 2008

IGOLD Links: IGOLD home page Bus Info IGOLD T-Shirts & Hats Printable IGOLD Flyer ISRA Illinois Carry Champaign County Rifle Assoc. Sangamon County Rifle Assoc.

All Illinois gun owners are invited to join in Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) in Springfield in 2008. This is an annual event where the members directly lobby their representatives in the Illinois House and Senate. We will meet in the Grand Ballroom of the Springfield Hilton at 12:00 noon for registration. We will have a legislative briefing, then we will all proceed to the Capitol Building to locate and talk with our representatives. We will have a reception at the Illinois State Library Auditorium from 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm. We are urging all participants to stay until the end of the reception. This is a very important part of the day, as the state's legislators have been invited to attend. Please join us for Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, you won't regret going. An IGOLD Message To You From Valinda Rowe: Mark that day on your calendar, schedule a vacation day, personal day, whatever you have to do to be in Springfield for Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day!! With the Illinois General Assembly back in session the "assault weapons ban" and all other anti-gun owner bills from 2007 are back in play again in 2008. The Illinois State Police are setting their own rules on FOID card requirements bringing a whole new meaning to the words "subject to police power" in the Illinois State Constitution. Cook County is trying to expand Chicago style gun control to the whole county plus trying to shut down all firearm retailers and gun shows in Cook County - first Chicago, then all of Cook County, and then the state. The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence has hit the ground running for the 2008 session of the General Assembly pushing for more restrictions on Illinois gun owners instead of criminals with guns! Now is not the time to sit idly by and wring our hands. NOW is the time to show up at the Illinois State Capitol and let our voices be heard - the voices of Illinois Gun owners - loud clear voices that we have had enough infringements on our rights - we'll budge no further. In fact, not only do we stand our ground, we want back ground that's been lost. Illinois is one of only two states left that does not have a Right to Carry law and that is unacceptable to the law abiding citizens of Illinois. A fleet of charter buses will be arriving from all corners of the state - to reserve a seat on the bus and avoid all the hassles of driving and finding a parking place just select from one of the buses listed on the left. Don't miss this monumental movement in Illinois firearm history! Join together with firearm owners from all over the state at IGOLD and let your voice heard!

When & Where:	Begins Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 12:00pm Starting Location: 12:00 pm - Springfield Hilton, Grand Ballroom 1:30 pm (approx.) - Head out to lobby Senators and Representatives, respectfully make our presence known in committee hearings that are in session 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Reception in the State Library.
Parking:	Metered on-street parking is available to the south of the Howlett Building. The meters accept quarters for up to a 9 hour period.
Better Travel: Bus Info	Forget the hassle of parking near the Capitol! IGOLD will have buses going to Springfield from strategic locations throughout Illinois. Ride the bus, ride with your friends. These gun rights organizations and manufacturers are sponsoring the buses to offset your cost: ISRA, CCRA/GSL, PK Firearms of Shelbyville, IL, Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms, Armalite, and DSArms Click here for information on the bus routes. Need more info now, or want to sponsor a bus? Contact the ISRA Office! On-line sign up is available for most buses.
Apparel:	Wear whatever you'd feel comfortable in while you are meeting your representatives, and don't forget you'll also be representing the rest of your fellow Illinois gun owners. Business casual is suggested, dress up if you want. We suggest that you don't wear any camo.
Security:	After the tragedy in 2005, there are now metal detectors in the Capitol Building that you will have to pass through on your way in, so please think ahead for this: no knives, novelty ammo keyfobs, etc. Bring proper identification.
Who:	You, of course! ...and bring a friend.